# Create an engineering project

Define a manufacturing job with ordered operations, assigned tools, and NC programs.

Source: https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/guides/create-engineering-project/
Updated: 2026-10-29

**Prerequisites:** At least one part exists in your organization. Tool assemblies and cutting data are set up in the Library.

**Required permission:** Engineering → Parts, Projects, and Jobs — User or above. Admins can change and approve any project; Managers and Users only the parts, projects, and jobs they created.

## Create a part

1. In the sidebar, click **Engineering → Parts**.
1. Click **+ Create**.
1. Enter the **Part Number** and **Name**. Optionally, assign a **Material** and attach a drawing or 3D model.
1. Click **Create**.

## Create a project

1. In the sidebar, click **Engineering → Projects**.
1. Click **+ Create**.
1. Enter the project **Name**.
1. Enable **Multiple jobs setup** only if all jobs in the project run on the same machine (several clampings on one machine). See [Document a Multiple-Setup CAM Project](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/guides/document-multiple-setups/).
1. Click **Create**.

## Add a job

1. Open the project and click the **Process** tab, then click **+** at the bottom of the job list.
1. Enter the job **Name**, select the **Machine**, and select the **Part**.
1. Click **Create**.

## Add operations

1. Open the job, click the **Operations** tab, and click **+** at the bottom of the operation list.
1. Select the **Tool Assembly** for this operation.
1. Enter the **Tool No.** and the **Est. Cycle Time** (in seconds) — both are required.
1. Click **Create**.

## Release the project for purchasing

1. Return to the project detail view.
1. Click **Release** on the bottom toolbar.

Release locks the project for engineering-manager approval and does not sync anything to inventory. See the full status flow in the [Projects Reference](https://support.toolingmetrics.com/en/engineering/reference/projects/#commands).

1. Once reviewed, click **Approve** on the bottom toolbar.

Approve is the step that syncs the project's tool assembly products to inventory **Items**, creating any items not yet in inventory. The purchasing team can then run the Inventory Scheduler to generate purchase requests.