Tooling Engineer

TOOLING ENGINEER IN DES PLAINES

Date Posted:

Monday, April 13, 2026 ? Job Snapshot

Employee Type:

Permanent

Location:

Illinois , Des Plaines Job Description This role is built for a hands on tooling expert who knows machining and wants to drive real impact. You will own tooling strategy, improve performance, and reduce cost across complex, high precision machining. What you will do

• Develop cutting tool strategies across titanium, stainless, aluminum, cast iron, and alloy steels
• Lead projects to improve tool life, cycle time, quality, and cost
• Work closely with programmers, engineers, and machinists to improve processes
• Run tooling trials and validate speeds, feeds, coatings, and geometries
• Standardize tooling and maintain a clean, usable tool database
• Partner with vendors to test and implement new tooling solutions
• Track tool performance, cost per part, tool changes, and overall efficiency
• Troubleshoot machining issues tied to tooling, finish, accuracy, and wear
• Document best practices and train the team
• Support compliance with aerospace and defense standards What matters
• 5 plus years in tooling, machining, or process engineering
• Strong experience with aerospace or defense machining
• Hands on work with titanium and high alloy materials
• Solid understanding of multi axis milling and turning
• Experience driving continuous improvement Nice to have
• Deep knowledge of tool materials, coatings, and geometry
• CAM system experience such as Mastercam or TopSolid
• G code knowledge and CNC troubleshooting
• Strong data analysis skills tied to machining performance
• Experience with tooling inventory systems What you gain
• Direct impact on cost, quality, and production performance
• Ownership of tooling strategy across the shop
• Exposure to complex, high precision machining environments Benefits
• Medical, dental, vision
• 401k with match
• Bonus opportunities
• Paid time off and holidays
• Tuition support and employee assistance programs Submit a current Resume to be considered.

Contact David McKnight 608-514-9815 david.mcknight@gogpac.com All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations. GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.