Tooling Engineer
Job Description
Location: Torrance, CA
Work Setting: On-site
Employment Type: Temp-to-Hire
Pay Range: $55.00–$65.00/hour, depending on experience
Work Authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.
We are seeking an experienced Tooling Engineer to support manufacturing operations in Torrance, CA. This is a temp-to-hire opportunity with the intent to convert the selected candidate to a regular full-time employee based on performance and business needs.
The Tooling Engineer will be responsible for the design, development, implementation, and ongoing support of injection molds and tooling systems. This position will work closely with manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and external tool shops to improve tooling performance, manufacturing efficiency, and product quality.
Key Responsibilities- Design, develop, and optimize injection molds and tooling systems.
- Lead tooling projects from concept and design through build, validation, and production implementation.
- Review product designs for manufacturability, tooling feasibility, and potential production risks.
- Support new product introductions (NPI), prototype builds, tooling trials, and production launches.
- Evaluate tooling performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
- Troubleshoot mold, tooling, and manufacturing issues using structured problem-solving techniques.
- Work with manufacturing and engineering teams to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
- Coordinate tooling projects with suppliers, vendors, and external tool shops.
- Review tooling designs, specifications, quotations, and project timelines.
- Develop and maintain tooling documentation, drawings, specifications, and engineering records.
- Support engineering changes and tooling modifications throughout the product lifecycle.
- Provide hands-on technical support to manufacturing, tooling, and production personnel.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, (A PLUS) or a related technical experience.
- 4–6 years of tooling engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong knowledge of injection molding processes, injection molds, tooling systems, and mold construction.
- Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, NX, or similar platforms.
- Knowledge of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), GD&T, and engineering change management.
- Experience supporting tooling development from initial design through production.
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tooling projects and priorities.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and other cross-functional teams.
- Experience with mold flow analysis.
- Experience working directly with tooling suppliers and external mold/tool shops.
- Experience supporting NPI, tooling validation, and production launches.
Important: Candidates must be able to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.
Why Kelly® Engineering?
Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.About Kelly
Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
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