Project Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer

Ingersoll Cutting Tools
is one of the world’s leading suppliers of metal cutting tooling systems and an integral member of the IMC Group of Companies, a distinguished corporate holding of Berkshire Hathaway, with over 130 subsidiaries in 60 countries around the world. Ingersoll’s US operations are housed on our state-of-the-art manufacturing and marketing campus in Rockford, Illinois. We are currently accepting applications for a Project Engineer

Essential job duties and

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the engineering design of highly complex, high-value custom tooling packages, including complex multi-functional tools, specialized indexable systems, and complete line-tooling projects.
• Develop advanced machining strategies and turnkey manufacturing processes for challenging materials (e.g., titanium, Inconel, hardened steels) to maximize metal removal rates and optimize cycle times.
• Serve as the final technical reviewer and approving authority for engineering drawings, 3D tool models, process sheets, and calculations generated by junior proposal engineers.
• Manage large-scale, high-risk automotive, aerospace, or heavy equipment capital RFQs, acting as the primary project manager from initial inquiry to final technical proposal submission.
• Negotiate manufacturing lead times, tolerances, and technical specifications cross-functionally with supply chain, production management, and external suppliers to secure bid feasibility.
• Mitigate technical and commercial risk by evaluating machine tool constraints (spindle capability, fixture rigidity, torque limits) against requested part tolerances.
• Present complex technical solutions directly to customer executives and engineering leaders, confidently defending proposed machining strategies and commercial viability.
• Expect 10% to 20% national travel (typically averaging 1 to 3 days a month on the road).

Skills/

Qualifications:

• Experience: 5 to 8+ years of progressive engineering experience in application engineering, CNC programming, or high-precision manufacturing environments.
• Degree Baseline: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering
  , Manufacturing Engineering
  , or a closely related technical field.
• Equivalent Shop Pathway: A combination of a technical Associate's degree, a completed Machining Apprenticeship
  , or Master CAM certifications
  , plus 10+ years of expert-level multi-axis CNC programming and shop floor leadership will be highly considered in lieu of a 4-year degree.

Relevant experience in one or more of the following areas:

• CNC machine setup and operation
• Process planning in a machining environment
• Quality control and inspection of machined components
• CNC machine programming
• Product/Project management in an industrial setting
• Deep technical expertise in advanced metal-cutting concepts, including chip formation physics, specialized tool geometries, substrate selection, and advanced PVD/CVD coating technologies.
• Extensive experience developing machining strategies and calculating cutting parameters for challenging materials (e.g., Titanium, Inconel, Compacted Graphite Iron, hardened tool steels).
• Expert-level mastery of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T per ASME Y14.5) to assess machine capability and component tolerances.
• Strong understanding of machine tool architectures, spindle interfaces (e.g., HSK, CAT, Capto), torque/horsepower curves, and fixture rigidity constraints.
• Strong capability in financial modeling, including calculating guaranteed Cost-Per-Part (CPP), tool consumption matrices, and clear Return on Investment (ROI) metrics.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams (sales, design, production, supply chain) from RFQ receipt through final shop floor implementation. Project management certifications are a plus.
• Skilled in…