Tool Engineer Jobs in California

Tool Engineer jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor fabrication, medical device manufacturing, and advanced automotive systems, with openings at every level from entry-level manufacturing support through senior process and tooling leadership. The highest volumes of hiring are in the Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego metros, where established employers like Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and Edwards Lifesciences maintain large engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties are precision machining, fixture design, and CNC programming. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Tool Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles13
Top employerNorthrop Grumman
Top citySanta Clara, CA
Cities hiring8
Work type33% Remote
Top credentialMaster's degree

Showing 5 of 13+ Tool Engineer jobs

M
Sr Prin Tool Engineer
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M
Added 4d ago
Sr Prin Tool Engineer
MiniMed
California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Remote (US)
Bachelor's degree

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Qualcomm
Linux Tool Software Engineer, Sr.
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Qualcomm
Added 5d ago
Linux Tool Software Engineer, Sr.
Qualcomm
San Diego, California
Compliance & Risk
Cybersecurity
Security Engineering
$118k - $177k/yr
Doctoral degree in Computer Science
10,000+

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Lockheed Martin
ADP- Skunkworks -Tool Engineer - Level 3
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Lockheed Martin
Added 6d ago
ADP- Skunkworks -Tool Engineer - Level 3
Lockheed Martin
Palmdale, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
$96k - $178k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Applied Materials
System Engineer IV - Wet Chemical Tool
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Applied Materials
Added 6d ago
System Engineer IV - Wet Chemical Tool
Applied Materials
Santa Clara, California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
Software Engineering
$161k - $221k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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Northrop Grumman
Tool Design Engineer - Level 2 or Level 3
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Northrop Grumman
Added 1w ago
Tool Design Engineer - Level 2 or Level 3
Northrop Grumman
San Diego, California
Software Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$83k - $155k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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See All 13 Tool Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Tool Engineer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Santa Clara
3 jobs
Palmdale
2 jobs
San Diego
2 jobs
Hawthorne
1 job
Costa Mesa
1 job
Menlo Park
1 job
San Leandro
1 job
Santa Clarita
1 job

Tool Engineer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman2 open roles
NVIDIA
NVIDIA1 open role
Anduril
Anduril1 open role

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in tool engineer jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related field
  • Hands-on experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD for tool design
  • Proficiency in GD&T and engineering drawing interpretation per ASME Y14.5 standards
  • Experience with CNC machining, fixture design, or tooling development in a manufacturing environment
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and process improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma
  • Strong understanding of materials science, including metals, composites, and plastics used in California's aerospace and medical device sectors

Tool Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a tool engineer in California?

Most California employers require a bachelor's degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering as the foundation for a tool engineer role. California does not have a state-issued license specific to tool engineers, but Professional Engineer registration through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists is recognized in senior and lead roles, particularly in aerospace and defense. Candidates who build hands-on CNC, fixture design, or CAD portfolios through internships or community college manufacturing programs gain a strong competitive edge.

Which companies hire tool engineers in California?

Employers hiring tool engineers in California right now include Northrop Grumman, NVIDIA, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, semiconductor equipment makers, and medical device manufacturers means tool engineer demand is spread across a wide range of industries rather than a single sector.

Which California cities have the most tool engineer jobs?

Santa Clara, Palmdale, and San Diego have the most tool engineer openings in California. The distribution reflects the state's major industrial clusters: the Los Angeles area is anchored by aerospace and defense contractors, San Jose draws heavily from semiconductor and precision equipment firms in Silicon Valley, and San Diego's concentration of biotech and medical device companies drives consistent tooling and manufacturing engineering demand.

Are there remote tool engineer jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Tool engineering is fundamentally hands-on work tied to production floors, machining centers, and prototype labs, so most roles require on-site presence. About 67% of tool engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to involve CAD design review, tooling documentation, or program management rather than direct fabrication work.

How can I get hired as a tool engineer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a manufacturing engineering associate or tooling technician role, which large California employers use as a direct pipeline into full tool engineer positions. Companies like Northrop Grumman and Edwards Lifesciences run new-grad and co-op programs through California State University campuses and community college workforce partnerships. Building a portfolio through CAD coursework, machining lab projects, or a NIMS credential in precision machining demonstrates hands-on readiness when formal experience is limited.

Where can I find and apply to tool engineer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to tool engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across aerospace, medical device, semiconductor, and manufacturing sectors. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listings.

See All 13 Tool Engineer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Tool Engineer Jobs