Tool Designer
GE Aerospace, Piedmont, SC, United States
Overview
Advanced technology, advanced thinking, and a superb work environment. GE Aerospace Airfoils facility in Piedmont, SC (near Greenville) produces High Pressure Turbine Blades using innovative production methodologies including complex machining, special processes, and NDT.
Role Tooling Engineer (Design & Build): responsible for the design, manufacture, modification, and maintenance of precision tooling, fixtures, gauges, and related equipment that support production operations. Partner with engineering, production, and quality teams to deliver tooling solutions that enhance productivity, accuracy, and safety, while enabling new product introduction and continuous improvement across the manufacturing environment. This role is onsite Monday - Thursday.
Responsibilities
Design and development
Design and develop tooling, fixtures, jigs, gauges, and holding devices to support manufacturing and inspection processes.
Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and process requirements to create robust, effective tooling solutions.
CAD/CAM and technical documentation
Use CAD software (such as SolidWorks, NX, or similar) to produce detailed 3D models, assemblies, and drawings for tools and fixtures.
Use CAM software (such as Mastercam) to generate NC programs from 3D models for tool manufacture.
Create and maintain accurate documentation, including drawings, models, revision history, and tooling records.
Tool fabrication, assembly, and maintenance
Build, assemble, and prove-out precision tooling using manual and CNC machine tools and related shop equipment.
Inspect, modify, and repair existing tooling to improve performance, extend service life, or accommodate engineering and process changes.
Collaboration and problem-solving
Collaborate with manufacturing engineers, machinists, and quality engineers to troubleshoot tooling issues and optimize manufacturing processes.
Ensure tooling concepts and designs meet requirements for dimensional tolerance, repeatability, ergonomics, and safety.
New product introduction and improvement
Support new product introduction (NPI) by developing tooling concepts, prototypes, and pre-production tooling.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on tooling efficiency, setup reduction, process capability, and cost reduction.
Safety and quality
Ensure all tooling activities comply with applicable safety procedures, environmental requirements, and company quality standards.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university (or a high school diploma / GED with a minimum of 4 years of experience in a technical or maintenance field)
Desired Characteristics
5+ years’ experience in tool design, tool making, or precision machining
Experience/strong understanding with milling, turning, grinding, and EDM processes
Experience designing fixtures for manufacturing and gaging processes; familiarity with aerospace or other high-precision manufacturing environments
Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and designing for precision and repeatability
Hands-on experience with CAD/CAM software for tool, fixture, and gauge design and programming
Experience with additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping for tooling applications
Experience in analyzing, creating, and interpreting blueprints, sketches, models, and/or descriptions
Knowledge of design techniques, tools and principles
Experience in Microsoft Office and NX CAD & AutoCAD systems
Humble: respectful, receptive, agile, eager to learn
Transparent: shares critical information, speaks with candor, contributes constructively
Focused: quick learner, strategically prioritizes work, committed
Leadership ability: strong communicator, decision-maker, collaborative
Problem solver: analytical-minded, challenges existing processes, critical thinker
Benefits and Additional Information GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support health and wellbeing, including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, Health Coach, and Employee Assistance Program. Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan (401(k) with company matching contributions). Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time off for vacation or illness. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Relocation assistance: No.
Compliance This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as defined: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, or asylee/refugee status under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
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Role Tooling Engineer (Design & Build): responsible for the design, manufacture, modification, and maintenance of precision tooling, fixtures, gauges, and related equipment that support production operations. Partner with engineering, production, and quality teams to deliver tooling solutions that enhance productivity, accuracy, and safety, while enabling new product introduction and continuous improvement across the manufacturing environment. This role is onsite Monday - Thursday.
Responsibilities
Design and development
Design and develop tooling, fixtures, jigs, gauges, and holding devices to support manufacturing and inspection processes.
Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, specifications, and process requirements to create robust, effective tooling solutions.
CAD/CAM and technical documentation
Use CAD software (such as SolidWorks, NX, or similar) to produce detailed 3D models, assemblies, and drawings for tools and fixtures.
Use CAM software (such as Mastercam) to generate NC programs from 3D models for tool manufacture.
Create and maintain accurate documentation, including drawings, models, revision history, and tooling records.
Tool fabrication, assembly, and maintenance
Build, assemble, and prove-out precision tooling using manual and CNC machine tools and related shop equipment.
Inspect, modify, and repair existing tooling to improve performance, extend service life, or accommodate engineering and process changes.
Collaboration and problem-solving
Collaborate with manufacturing engineers, machinists, and quality engineers to troubleshoot tooling issues and optimize manufacturing processes.
Ensure tooling concepts and designs meet requirements for dimensional tolerance, repeatability, ergonomics, and safety.
New product introduction and improvement
Support new product introduction (NPI) by developing tooling concepts, prototypes, and pre-production tooling.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on tooling efficiency, setup reduction, process capability, and cost reduction.
Safety and quality
Ensure all tooling activities comply with applicable safety procedures, environmental requirements, and company quality standards.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university (or a high school diploma / GED with a minimum of 4 years of experience in a technical or maintenance field)
Desired Characteristics
5+ years’ experience in tool design, tool making, or precision machining
Experience/strong understanding with milling, turning, grinding, and EDM processes
Experience designing fixtures for manufacturing and gaging processes; familiarity with aerospace or other high-precision manufacturing environments
Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and designing for precision and repeatability
Hands-on experience with CAD/CAM software for tool, fixture, and gauge design and programming
Experience with additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping for tooling applications
Experience in analyzing, creating, and interpreting blueprints, sketches, models, and/or descriptions
Knowledge of design techniques, tools and principles
Experience in Microsoft Office and NX CAD & AutoCAD systems
Humble: respectful, receptive, agile, eager to learn
Transparent: shares critical information, speaks with candor, contributes constructively
Focused: quick learner, strategically prioritizes work, committed
Leadership ability: strong communicator, decision-maker, collaborative
Problem solver: analytical-minded, challenges existing processes, critical thinker
Benefits and Additional Information GE Aerospace offers comprehensive benefits and programs to support health and wellbeing, including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, Health Coach, and Employee Assistance Program. Retirement benefits include the GE Aerospace Retirement Savings Plan (401(k) with company matching contributions). Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and paid time off for vacation or illness. GE Aerospace is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Relocation assistance: No.
Compliance This role requires access to U.S. export-controlled information. Employment will be contingent upon the ability to prove that you meet the status of a U.S. Person as defined: U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. Citizen, or asylee/refugee status under the Immigration and Naturalization Act, 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
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