Principal Tooling Engineer – Injection Molding
Location: Libertyville, IL (Relocation assistance packages offered for qualified candidates)
Travel: International travel to Denmark (1–2 weeks at a time during the first year; significantly reduced thereafter)
Target Pay: $145,000-$175,000/year + 10% annual bonus
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Principal Tooling Engineer to support the development of state-of-the-art injection molding tooling for a high-visibility medical manufacturing program, including production of a leading weight-loss therapy. This role partners closely with global customers and internal engineering teams to design, validate, and launch advanced tooling while helping establish U.S.-based manufacturing capability.
This is a highly collaborative, hands-on position ideal for a senior tooling professional who enjoys working across design, process development, and shop-floor execution.
Key Responsibilities
Design and engineer complex tooling solutions for molds, jigs, and fixtures to meet product and regulatory specifications.
Participate in design reviews and perform Design for Manufacturability (DFM) evaluations.
Lead validation of molding tools and troubleshoot tooling or process-related issues.
Implement cost-effective tooling improvements and engineering changes.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams on tool qualification, sampling, and final part approval.
Develop and maintain tooling documentation, work instructions, and process standards.
Provide technical coaching and guidance to tooling technicians and internal engineering staff.
Deliver status updates aligned with project timelines and customer expectations.
Support early-phase international collaboration, including travel to Denmark during initial program launch.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
15+ years of experience in injection molding tooling design, validation, and troubleshooting.
Deep expertise in thermoplastics and/or thermosets, mold flow, and molding process optimization.
Strong background in Design for Manufacturability and tooling qualification.
Hands-on experience working in manufacturing or tool room environments.
Proven ability to collaborate across engineering, production, and customer teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Medical device or regulated manufacturing experience.
Experience supporting global manufacturing transfers or new product launches.
Familiarity with inspection, measurement tools, and electronic/mechanical test equipment.
Why Join
Opportunity to contribute to a high-impact medical manufacturing program.
Visibility with global customers and leadership teams.
Key role in bringing advanced production capability to the United States.
Collaborative environment where senior technical expertise drives real outcomes.
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Sterling Engineering, Inc.
Sterling Engineering has been a trusted partner for engineering, project management, and staffing solutions for over five decades. We provide exceptional engineering/technical recruitment and engineering project services to clients nationwide:
- Engineering & Technical Recruitment - With our focus on engineering, technical, and IT, Sterling has the in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and robust employee pipeline it takes to rapidly find talent for even the most difficult to fill positions. Sterling’s extensive recruitment methodology allows us to engage the most talented employees in the marketplace. We offer exciting work and career-building opportunities for our candidates, along with expert support at every step of the process.
- Engineering Project Services – Our experienced, multi-disciplined team of project managers, engineers, and designers, led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE), provide project management, engineering, design, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) to manufacturing, OEM, and R&D customers. We work on complex, highly technical projects across a number of industry sectors, and our ability to scale and seamlessly integrate at multiple levels of your organization is what differentiates us.
Sterling offers a unique combination of engineering solutions and Best of Staffing level service to help our clients and talent achieve their goals.
500 to 999 employees
Staffing/Employment Agencies
http://www.sterling-engineering.com