How to hire a production tool engineer

How to hire a production tool engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step production tool engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a production tool engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new production tool engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a production tool engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A production tool engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, production tool engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of production tool engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Production Tool Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Production Tool Engineer	Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.	$28-60
   Reliability Engineer	A reliability engineer is in charge of determining and managing the asset reliability risks of businesses. Reliability engineers are professionals who solve problems related to engineering... Show more	$36-69
   Manufacturing Engineering Internship	A manufacturing engineering intern is responsible for assisting the manufacturing engineers on the plant's daily operations, analyzing the manufacturing process and procedures, and recommending strategic solutions to maximize productivity and minimize costs. Manufacturing engineering interns shadow the production staff, inspect the tools and equipment of the manufacturing, analyze the quality control documentation, and perform related administrative tasks to familiarize themselves with the plant structure... Show more	$19-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Value Stream
   • Shop Floor
   • Jigs
   • Toyota
   • Cost Reduction

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead work cells to become a team; Harmonize/unite/motivate assembly personnel using Kaizen approach.
   • Champion ergonomics evaluation team, assess manufacturing projects for ergonomic risk and generate solutions to resolve or mitigate risk exposure.
   • Champion ergonomics evaluation team, assess manufacturing projects for ergonomic risk and generate solutions to resolve or mitigate risk exposure.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your production tool engineer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A production tool engineer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, production tool engineers' average salary in vermont is 67% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level production tool engineers earn 52% less than senior-level production tool engineers.
   • Certifications. A production tool engineer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a production tool engineer's salary.

   Average production tool engineer salary

   $87,416yearly

   $42.03 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level production tool engineer salary

   $60,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 21, 2025

4. Writing a production tool engineer job description

   A production tool engineer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a production tool engineer job description:

   Production tool engineer job description example

   ITW Drawform & Sexton is a $200M USD Division within Illinois Tool Works' Automotive Segment. It has an excellent reputation for delivering top results and exceeding customer expectations within the deep draw and aerosol can industries.
   
   At ITW Drawform, you'll support an operation that serves major tier suppliers within the automotive and industrial markets. We offer the opportunity to learn all facets of the business in a fun and purpose-driven environment. In addition to an awesome career path, we offer great compensation and competitive benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, pay increases, company picnics, holiday parties and much more in a family-oriented team environment!
   
   Produce quality parts through efficient development of transfer press tooling coupled with proper maintenance of tooling, presses and peripheral equipment for an assigned press, cell, or group of presses. Promote positive attitudes and offer logical user-friendly solutions to everyday problems.
   **Essential Functions** :
   
   1. Complete tool development, maintenance and management for assigned presses and cells, including robots, washers and conveyors and dies.
   
   2. Set up of presses to produce drawn parts within required tolerances and optimal efficiency
   
   3. Recognize and correct both typical and unusual press and cell problems.
   
   4. Contribute die design concepts for the dual purpose of developing new tooling and upgrading existing tooling.
   
   5. Layout and inspect tooling before putting it into a press. Sharpen and polish tools as needed.
   
   6. Organize and update tool books as required
   
   7. Operate toolroom equipment (excluding CNC equipment) efficiently to produce all necessary tooling.
   
   8. Take final responsibility for the quality of parts coming off each assigned press/cell. All parts must stay within print dimensions.
   
   9. Train transfer press operators and die setters to comply with all quality standards set forth by Drawform.
   
   10. Understand and incorporate use of S.P.C.
   
   11. Pull tooling when required.
   
   12. Know the type and proper mixture of drawing and machine lubricants for each assigned job.
   
   13. Remove or replace drawing lubricants on any press when required.
   
   14. Troubleshoot minor hydraulic and electrical press/cell problems to achieve maximum productivity.
   
   15. Train apprentices in concepts applicable to deep drawn metal stamping and cell operation.
   
   16. Maintain appropriate spare tooling and die set/job component inventories.
   
   17. Perform other duties as required or directed.
   
   · Minimum 3 years of experience in shop floor set-up.
   
   · Able to lift approximately 20 - 40 pounds on a regular basis.
   
   · High School diploma, GED or equivalent work experience.
   
   · **Journeyman status required.**
   
   _ITW_ _Drawform_ _is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and consideration without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law._
   
   _All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines._
   
   _ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues' unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential._
   
   _As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship._
   
   _All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws._
   
   ITW is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right production tool engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your production tool engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit production tool engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with production tool engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new production tool engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect production tool engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new production tool engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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