Science & ResearchISCO 2144
Tooling engineer
A tooling engineer is a person who designs the tools and fixtures needed to manufacture a product.
Check yourself in a minute: tooling engineer
Rate 5 of the 26 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
execute analytical mathematical calculations
adjust engineering designs
provide cost benefit analysis reports
perform scientific research
build a product's physical model
About tooling engineer
The engineer prepares tooling enquiries, estimates costs and lead times, and then manages the activities involved in building the tool. They read engineering drawings and sketches, carry out analytical mathematical calculations, and design in computer-aided engineering systems, where loads and tool behaviour can be checked before anything is cut.
The tooling engineer also supervises routine tool maintenance, because a tool wears throughout its working life and gradually changes the dimensions of the product. When a serious difficulty appears, the engineer analyses production data, determines the cause, and develops recommendations and an action plan to remove it.
The engineer reports on cost-benefit analysis, for example comparing a tool that costs more and lasts longer with one that costs less and wears faster. Engineering principles, industrial engineering and mathematics are the foundation. The engineer also works with multimedia systems, for example when preparing documentation and presenting the results of analyses. Formal requirements are set by the employer.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a tooling engineer.
1
Tool Design and Development
- Create detailed technical drawings and 3D models of tools using CAD software based on manufacturing requirements
- Apply engineering principles and physics to design tools that optimize cycle time and improve manufacturing efficiency
- Perform reverse engineering on existing tools to understand design specifications and identify improvement opportunities
- Create virtual product models using CAE software to simulate tool performance and validate designs before manufacturing
2
Cost Estimation and Quotation Management
- Prepare detailed tooling quotation requests that include materials, labour, and manufacturing timelines
- Execute analytical mathematical calculations to estimate tool production costs and delivery time
- Provide cost-benefit analysis reports comparing different tool design options and manufacturing approaches
- Manage tooling construction follow-up with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure on-time delivery and budget compliance
3
Quality and Performance Optimization
- Analyse production data and tool performance metrics to identify opportunities for cycle time and quality optimization
- Adjust engineering designs based on test results and production feedback to improve tool functionality
- Apply quality and cycle time optimization techniques to reduce manufacturing bottlenecks and improve throughput
4
Troubleshooting and Root Cause Analysis
- Investigate major tooling difficulties and failures to determine root causes using systematic analytical approaches
- Perform scientific research and analysis to understand how tool design, materials, and manufacturing processes contribute to failures
- Develop recommendations and action plans with preventive measures to avoid recurring tool problems
- Document findings and communicate solutions to manufacturing teams and management
5
Maintenance Supervision and Industrial Engineering
- Supervise routine maintenance of tools to ensure they remain in optimal working condition
- Apply industrial engineering principles to improve tool utilization and manufacturing workflow
- Develop documentation and maintenance schedules for tooling equipment to extend tool life and reduce downtime
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (26)
manufacturing processesmanufacturing processesThe steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing.mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.reverse engineeringreverse engineeringThe process of extracting knowledge or design information from anything man-made and reproducing it or anything else based on the extracted information. The process often involves disassembling someth...industrial engineeringindustrial engineeringThe field of engineering concerned with the development, improvement, and implementation of complex processes and systems of knowledge, people, equipment, etc.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.adjust engineering designsadjust engineering designsAdjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.provide cost benefit analysis reportsprovide cost benefit analysis reportsPrepare, compile and communicate reports with broken down cost analysis on the proposal and budget plans of the company. Analyse the financial or social costs and benefits of a project or investment i...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.build a product's physical modelbuild a product's physical modelBuild a model of the product out of wood, clay or other materials by using hand or electrical tools.read engineering drawingsread engineering drawingsRead the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.use CAD softwareuse CAD softwareUse computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.determine production feasibilitydetermine production feasibilityDetermine if a product or its components can be produced by applying engineering principles.estimate duration of workestimate duration of workProduce accurate calculations on time necessary to fulfil future technical tasks based on past and present information and observations or plan the estimated duration of individual tasks in a given pr...use computer-aided engineering systemsuse computer-aided engineering systemsUse computer-aided engineering software to conduct stress analyses on engineering designs.engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.production processesproduction processesMaterials and techniques required in the production and distribution processes.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.quality and cycle time optimisationquality and cycle time optimisationThe most optimal rotation or cycle time and over-all quality of a tool or a machine's processes.create a product's virtual modelcreate a product's virtual modelCreate a mathematical or three-dimensional computer graphic model of the product by using a CAE system or a calculator.CAE softwareCAE softwareThe software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.CAD softwareCAD softwareThe computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.approve engineering designapprove engineering designGive consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.
Optional (24) — show
electromechanicselectromechanicsThe engineering processes that combine electrical and mechanical engineering in the application of electromechanics in devices that need electricity to create mechanical movement or devices that creat...3D modelling3D modellingThe process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of an object via specialised software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimension...manage suppliesmanage suppliesMonitor and control the flow of supplies that includes the purchase, storage and movement of the required quality of raw materials, and also work-in-progress inventory. Manage supply chain activities ...ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.operate precision measuring equipmentoperate precision measuring equipmentMeasure the size of a processed part when checking and marking it to check if it is up to standard by use of two and three dimensional precision measuring equipment such as a caliper, a micrometer, an...manage health and safety standardsmanage health and safety standardsOversee all personnel and processes to comply with health, safety and hygiene standards. Communicate and support alignment of these requirements with the company's health and safety programmes.attend trade fairsattend trade fairsAttend exhibitions organised to enable companies in a specific sector to demonstrate their latest products and services, study the activities of their competitors, and observe recent market trends.plan allocation of spaceplan allocation of spacePlan best allocation and utilisation of space and resources, or re-organise current premises.determine production capacitydetermine production capacityDetermine how many parts or tools can be manufactured by one machine during one production cycle.use CAM softwareuse CAM softwareUse computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.plan manufacturing processesplan manufacturing processesDetermine and schedule production and assembly steps. Plan manpower and equipment needs taking ergonomic considerations into account.advise customers on new equipmentadvise customers on new equipmentAdvise individual or corporate customers on the acquisition of new equipment such as machinery, tools or systems by identifying their needs and comparing the products that would suit them best.advise on machinery malfunctionsadvise on machinery malfunctionsOffer advice to service technicians in case of machinery malfunctions and other technical repair tasks.monitor production developmentsmonitor production developmentsMonitor parameters to keep an eye on the production, developments and costs within your area of control.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.liaise with engineersliaise with engineersCollaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.set production facilities standardsset production facilities standardsEnsure a high standard of safety and quality in facilities, systems, and workers' behaviour. Ensure adherence to procedures and audit standards. Ensure that machinery and appliances in the production ...train employeestrain employeesLead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the perform...render 3D imagesrender 3D imagesUse specialised tools to convert 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects or non-photorealistic rendering on a computer.analyse production processes for improvementanalyse production processes for improvementAnalyse production processes leading toward improvement. Analyse in order to reduce production losses and overall manufacturing costs.perform market researchperform market researchGather, assess and represent data about target market and customers in order to facilitate strategic development and feasibility studies. Identify market trends.material mechanicsmaterial mechanicsThe behaviour of solid objects when subjected to stresses and strains, and the methods to calculate these stresses and strains.set up the controller of a machineset up the controller of a machineSet up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
agricultural equipment design engineer15 shared essential skillscontainer equipment design engineer15 shared essential skillsrotating equipment engineer15 shared essential skillspacking machinery engineer14 shared essential skillsaerodynamics engineer13 shared essential skillsindustrial tool design engineer13 shared essential skillsfluid power engineer12 shared essential skillsmicroelectronics designer12 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a tooling engineer do?
Tooling engineers design new tools for manufacturing equipment. They prepare tooling quotation requests. They estimate costs and delivery time, manage tooling construction follow-up and supervise the routine maintenance of tools. They also analyse data to determine the cause of major tooling difficulties and develop recommendations and action plans for solutions.
What skills does a tooling engineer need?
A tooling engineer needs 26 essential skills, including manufacturing processes, mathematics, physics, reverse engineering, industrial engineering.
Will AI replace tooling engineer jobs?
The AI disruption score for tooling engineer is 36/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: provide cost benefit analysis reports, determine production capacity, execute analytical mathematical calculations. Most resilient: attend trade fairs, build a product's physical model, mechanics.
AI Replacement Risk
36/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
What are you missing to work as tooling engineer?
The free skill gap analysis compares your skills with what this occupation requires and shows where to start.
Check your gaps