Tooling Manufacturing Engineer

Tooling Manufacturing Engineer

Date: Oct 3, 2026

Location:Cromwell, CT, US

Company: GKN Aerospace Careers

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities.

GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career.

Job Summary

The Tooling Engineer supports the design, development and implementation of specialized tooling solutions used in the manufacture of composite parts for the aerospace industry. This includes Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), assembly and machining fixtures, inspection fixtures and gauges. The Tooling Engineer will work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, and Quality to ensure current and future production tools are optimized for efficiency, safety, quality and compliance to strict aerospace standards.

In this role, the Tooling Engineer will apply technical skills in tool design, CAD, manufacturing engineering, problem solving and project management to deliver timely and effective tooling solutions in a challenging and fast-paced environment.

Job Responsibilities

• Exemplify a safety-first mindset and ensure compliance with all GKN Aerospace Health, Safety, and Environmental policies.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Production and Quality teams to ensure tooling meets product specifications and performance requirements
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including drawings, specifications, and maintenance procedures
• Review designs for accuracy, functionality and compliance with approved design standards for safety, ergonomics, manufacturability, and durability
• Optimize tooling efficiency, durability and cost effectiveness using lean manufacturing principles
• Evaluate and select materials, components and suppliers for tooling projects
• Coordinate with suppliers to manage quotes, lead times, project updates, and delivery
• Manage all tooling lifecycle activities including: design, procurement, qualification, release, maintenance, repair and retirement.
• Oversee the installation, setup and calibration of tooling in production
• Lead structured problem-solving activities to resolve production issues linked to tool wear or process failure.
• Provide training and technical support to production team on tool use, maintenance, and troubleshooting

  Salary Range for position:

  $90,000

  $110,000

  Offered benefits may include:

  • 15 days Paid Time Off
  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Short Term Disability (STD)
  • Long Term Disability (LTD)
  • Life Insurance
  • Optional Life Insurance
  • Optional Spousal Life Insurance
  • Optional Dependent Life Insurance
  • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Optional Accidental Death &Dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Health Care Savings Account (HSA)
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance
  • Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance
  • Voluntary Accident Insurance
  • Voluntary Identity Theft Insurance
  • Voluntary Legal Services
  • Employee “Discount” Programs (such as home, auto insurance or pet)

Job Qualifications

Formal Qualifications

• MUST BE U.S Citizen.
• BS in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent
• Proficient in CAD software (Catia and NX), manufacturing processes and tool design principles
• Ability to apply and interpret GD&T of complex precision mold design
• 3-5 years of experience in aerospace composite manufacturing and tooling design, preferably in closed-mold processes or high-precision tooling
• Competent working knowledge of RTM mechanics, composite fabric preforms, resin flow behaviors, and seal designs.
• Demonstrated experience with tooling design, including experience designing or developing mold tooling, assembly and machining fixtures, inspection fixtures and gauges, material handling equipment, or other manufacturing support equipment
• Strong troubleshooting skills and desire to work hands-on with people and processes.
• Clear verbal and written abilities to collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Excellent project management skills and ability to manage project timelines and budget

Physical Requirements

• Specific Vision abilities required; including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to focus with a specific requirement for corrected vision at 20/25 or better.
• Must be able to work in a production environment and travel throughout the facility and corporation to obtain information needed to perform job functions.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
• Prolonged sitting and terminal use, and have the ability to move around a manufacturing environment.
• Employee must lift and/or move up to 25 lbs., using proper lifting technique

We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further.  And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go?

A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working

Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN.  We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute.  It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’.  By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work.

We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know.

We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology.​
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