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.
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Showing 5 of 18+ Tool Engineer jobs
Technical Sales Engineer – CNC & Machine Tool Industry
Location: California (Field-Based)
Compensation: $100,000–$130,000/year, based on experience
Employment Type: Full-Time, In-Person / Territory Travel
Have a background in CNC machining or machine tools and know how to turn technical knowledge into sales?
We're looking for an experienced Technical Sales Engineer to grow business across California for a well-established global manufacturer of advanced measurement, inspection, and process control solutions.
This is an opportunity for someone who understands the manufacturing floor, knows the CNC and machine tool industry, and enjoys working directly with customers to find solutions that improve machining accuracy, productivity, and overall manufacturing performance.
You'll work with manufacturers, machine tool builders, distributors, engineers, and other industry professionals, building relationships and helping customers identify the right technology for their operations.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Develop and maintain relationships with machine tool manufacturers, distributors, and industrial customers throughout California.
- Identify new business opportunities and grow existing accounts.
- Sell technical solutions involving CNC machine tool probing, precision measurement, gauging, inspection, monitoring, and process control systems.
- Work directly with engineers, manufacturing managers, technical teams, and company leadership to understand customer needs.
- Provide technical product recommendations and help customers identify solutions to manufacturing challenges.
- Explain product applications, capabilities, and benefits to prospective and existing customers.
- Monitor industry trends, competitors, and market opportunities.
- Prepare sales forecasts, customer reports, and territory updates.
- Support product promotions and sales initiatives.
- Represent the company at customer visits and industry-related events.
Requirements
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate has a combination of technical manufacturing knowledge and proven sales experience.
Required Experience:
- 5–7 years of sales experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, CNC machinery, or a related industry.
- Strong understanding of CNC machining and the machine tool industry.
- Proven ability to develop customer relationships and generate new business.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to understand customer applications and recommend technical solutions.
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage a territory independently.
- Willingness to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory.
- Valid driver's license and good driving record.
Additional Experience That Would Be a Plus:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
- Previous experience with CNC programming.
- Familiarity with PLCs, electrical schematics, and CNC machine controls.
- Experience selling machine tool probing, gauging, metrology, automation, or manufacturing technology.
Benefits
Compensation & Benefits
- Annual compensation range of $100,000–$130,000, based on experience.
- Company vehicle.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid time off and vacation.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Short-term disability coverage.
- Opportunity to work with an internationally recognized technology leader.
- Long-term professional growth and career development opportunities.
Ready for Your Next Opportunity?
If you have experience in CNC, machine tools, or industrial manufacturing sales and enjoy helping customers solve technical challenges, we'd like to hear from you!
Technical Sales Engineer – CNC & Machine Tool Industry
Location: California (Field-Based)
Compensation: $100,000–$130,000/year, based on experience
Employment Type: Full-Time, In-Person / Territory Travel
Have a background in CNC machining or machine tools and know how to turn technical knowledge into sales?
We're looking for an experienced Technical Sales Engineer to grow business across California for a well-established global manufacturer of advanced measurement, inspection, and process control solutions.
This is an opportunity for someone who understands the manufacturing floor, knows the CNC and machine tool industry, and enjoys working directly with customers to find solutions that improve machining accuracy, productivity, and overall manufacturing performance.
You'll work with manufacturers, machine tool builders, distributors, engineers, and other industry professionals, building relationships and helping customers identify the right technology for their operations.
What You'll Be Responsible For
- Develop and maintain relationships with machine tool manufacturers, distributors, and industrial customers throughout California.
- Identify new business opportunities and grow existing accounts.
- Sell technical solutions involving CNC machine tool probing, precision measurement, gauging, inspection, monitoring, and process control systems.
- Work directly with engineers, manufacturing managers, technical teams, and company leadership to understand customer needs.
- Provide technical product recommendations and help customers identify solutions to manufacturing challenges.
- Explain product applications, capabilities, and benefits to prospective and existing customers.
- Monitor industry trends, competitors, and market opportunities.
- Prepare sales forecasts, customer reports, and territory updates.
- Support product promotions and sales initiatives.
- Represent the company at customer visits and industry-related events.
Requirements
What We're Looking For
The ideal candidate has a combination of technical manufacturing knowledge and proven sales experience.
Required Experience:
- 5–7 years of sales experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, CNC machinery, or a related industry.
- Strong understanding of CNC machining and the machine tool industry.
- Proven ability to develop customer relationships and generate new business.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to understand customer applications and recommend technical solutions.
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage a territory independently.
- Willingness to travel extensively throughout the assigned territory.
- Valid driver's license and good driving record.
Additional Experience That Would Be a Plus:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
- Previous experience with CNC programming.
- Familiarity with PLCs, electrical schematics, and CNC machine controls.
- Experience selling machine tool probing, gauging, metrology, automation, or manufacturing technology.
Benefits
Compensation & Benefits
- Annual compensation range of $100,000–$130,000, based on experience.
- Company vehicle.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid time off and vacation.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Short-term disability coverage.
- Opportunity to work with an internationally recognized technology leader.
- Long-term professional growth and career development opportunities.
Ready for Your Next Opportunity?
If you have experience in CNC, machine tools, or industrial manufacturing sales and enjoy helping customers solve technical challenges, we'd like to hear from you!
See All 18 Tool Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Tool Engineer JobsTool Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Tool Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
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, Rocket Lab USA, and Lockheed Martin, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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?
Palmdale, San Diego, and Long Beach 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 50% of tool engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 18 Tool Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Tool Engineer Jobs