Project Engineer, Mechanical 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.

• 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).

• 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.

• 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 evaluating and mitigating technical risks associated…