Senior Plant Tooling Engineer

27th August, 2024

Key Functions & Responsibilities of the Senior Plant Tooling Engineer

Responsible for developing tooling concepts and specifications, managing the tooling design and build process, and providing engineering and tooling support to the product development teams, and manufacturing operations. Oversee and manage tooling maintenance on production tooling and ensure process capability of existing tooling. Advance tooling and process capabilities through continuous improvements and advancements in related technologies. Supports Plant Tool Engineer on an as-needed basis.

• Perform tasks and activities according to all safety requirements with consideration for ergonomic factors and the environment.
• Mentors Plant Tool Engineer on technical issues of the tooling type that they specialize in. Help train and develop the Tool Engineers.
• Run tooling design reviews with Plant Tool Engineer, design concepts, and develop specifications, and standards for prototype and production tooling for the plant.
• Responsible for Tooling Standards, ensuring they are up to date, lessons learned are incorporated, and tools are built to the standard through training of suppliers and monitoring builds.
• Participate and support costing and RFQ process with Costing, Purchasing and Program Management Departments including tooling matrix responsibility.
• Create and distribute Scope of Work for new tools and engineering changes to existing tools.
• Track the progress of tooling programs, and build processes through The Tool Maturity Process.
• Assume responsibility for program tool costs and budgets working with program management.
• Responsible for managing the tooling design and build process, and providing engineering and tooling support to the launch team, CFT's and other manufacturing plants as required.
• Support management of engineering changes with program management and drive continuous improvements with all aspects of tooling including suppliers
• Provide pre-production and production troubleshooting support for all tooling and secondary part processing/finishing equipment.
• Ensure compliance with all related IATF16949, QS 9000, ISO 17025 and ISO 14001 procedures and Requirements.
• Willing and able to travel as required to other manufacturing plants and tool shops to support programs at Plant / Non-Plant level.
• Conduct business in a professional manner and follow all company policies and procedures.
• Share best practices and conduct training when required to transfer knowledge.
• Provide deeper product and process expertise, mentoring, and leadership to peers and assigned subordinates.
• Expedite special assignments as directed by management

Required Education Skills & Abilities of the Sr Plant Tooling Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering or related technical degree preferred.
• Must be familiar with automotive-related component drawings and math data files.
• Experience with compression molding, tool design, cost estimation and tool building desired.
• Must have a solid understanding of the manufacturing process and hands-on experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
• Ability to present information and status to groups of employees or management.
• Strong math, engineering, blueprint, technical documentation and CAD skills are required to handle calculations and problem-solving.
• Ability to define and solve problems and draw valid conclusions from data and testing.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions, blueprints, and abstract and concrete variables.
• MS Office: Word, Excel, Project, PLM, SAP, AutoCAD, Vis view or other commercially available CAD viewing software.
• The ability to travel up to 50% is required. Some international travel may be required to support tool fabrication or corporate tooling/manufacturing initiatives.