Machine Tooling Specialist

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Petersen offers a competitive benefits package which includes 4x10 work schedule, food market breakrooms. Competitive wage, quarterly bonuses, referral bonuses for selected positions. Wellness program, medical, dental, vision, disability, life, 401k with employer match. Paid time off, and holiday pay. On the job training programs and training reimbursement. We also offer multiple team member engagement activities and community events.

Tooling Specialist — Job Description

Department: Design Engineering (DE) Reports To: Design Engineering Manager

Position Summary

The Tooling Specialist is the cutting tool subject matter expert for the Design Engineering group and the machine shop. This role owns TDM Global as the system of record for all cutting tool data — building and maintaining the tool item and tool assembly library — and is responsible for selecting and specifying cutting tooling for every job, generating the preliminary tool list that enables programming to begin, and producing the tool assembly prints the Tool Setter/Tool Crib Attendant uses to build physical tooling. The role also serves as the cutting tool SME for Estimating and coordinates with the Manufacturing Engineer on tooling requirements relative to the fixture approach.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Tool Selection & Job Support

• Select and specify machine shop cutting tooling per job — cutting tools, holders, collets, inserts, extensions, etc.
• Review drawings and machining plan output to determine tooling needs.
• Generate the preliminary tool list per job — the primary per-job deliverable that feeds the programming workflow.
• Relay the tool list to the CNC Programmer and confirm tool data is available in TDM Global before programming begins.
• Link the tool list to Visual MFG (ERP System).
• Design custom cutters for complex jobs where standard tooling cannot achieve the required geometry.

TDM Global Library Ownership

• Build and maintain the TDM Global library — create and manage all tool items and tool assemblies.
• Generate tool assembly prints for the Tool Setter/Tool Crib Attendant to build physical assemblies.
• Perform regular library reviews to eliminate duplicate tool items or assemblies and keep tool data current as specs change.
• Maintain Modula location records in TDM Global for all tool items.
• Train CNC Programmers on how to search and reference the TDM library.

Inventory & Cross-Functional Support

• Monitor reorder points in TDM Global and notify the Programming Supervisor when tool items reach threshold.
• Serve as the cutting tool SME for Estimating, providing tooling cost and complexity input for quotes.
• Coordinate with the Manufacturing Engineer on tooling requirements relative to the fixture approach.
• Provide shop floor support on cutting tool questions.
• Provide cutting tool SME input at Tollgate 1 (Accept Contract) and support Tollgate 3 (Release Material to Purchase) as assigned by the DE Manager.

Key Interfaces

• Programming Supervisor and CNC Programmers — tool list handoff and TDM library reference.
• Manufacturing Engineer — tooling requirements coordination relative to fixture design.
• Tool Setter/Tool Crib Attendant — tool assembly build direction, Zoller verification, and Modula management.
• Estimating — cutting tool SME input on quotes.

Qualifications

Required 

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or demonstrated industry experience in machine shop tooling selection, tool data management, and cutting tool
• Strong working knowledge of machine shop cutting tooling — tools, holders, inserts, and collets.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and machining operations.

Preferred

• Hands-on machining or CNC programming experience.
• Experience with tool presetting equipment.
• Experience with automated tool storage systems (Modula or equivalent).
• Custom cutter design experience.
• Experience with tool data management software.

What Success Looks Like

• The Tool Data library is clean, current, and free of duplicates.
• Preliminary tool lists reach CNC Programmers before programming begins, with no delays.
• Tool assembly prints are accurate and complete enough that the Tool Setter can build without ambiguity.
• Reorder points are managed proactively — the tool crib never runs out of critical tooling.
• Estimating receives accurate tooling SME input that improves quote accuracy.

Work Environment

This role is based in the Design Engineering group and works closely with the machine shop and tool crib. Regular presence on the shop floor is expected to support cutting tool questions, coordinate with the Tool Setter, and stay current with active jobs, in addition to time spent in TDM Global and at a workstation.