Senior Tooling Engineer – Automotive Manufacturing

Location: Oregon / Toledo, OH Area
Industry: Automotive Manufacturing
Employment Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Senior Tooling Engineer to support tooling development, design, manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives within an automotive manufacturing environment.

This position will be responsible for developing tooling concepts and specifications, overseeing tooling design and build activities, managing tooling budgets and timelines, and providing technical support to product development and manufacturing teams.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in tool design, compression molding, tooling fabrication, manufacturing processes, and project management, with the ability to manage tooling projects from initial concept through production launch.

This role requires both strong engineering knowledge and hands-on tooling experience, including working with tool shops, suppliers, and manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Tooling Design & Development

• Develop tooling concepts, designs, and technical specifications for prototype and production applications.

• Manage tooling design, development, fabrication, testing, and implementation.

• Review and analyze tooling specifications, engineering drawings, CAD models, and manufacturing requirements.

• Support the design and development of compression molding tools, fixtures, jigs, gauges, and related production tooling.

• Evaluate tooling designs for manufacturability, efficiency, quality, and cost effectiveness.

• Apply tooling standards, engineering best practices, and continuous improvement principles.

• Conduct tooling trials, test runs, and validation activities to ensure proper operation and production readiness.

• Identify tooling problems and recommend design modifications or corrective actions.

Tooling Project Management

• Manage tooling projects from concept through completion, ensuring adherence to project schedules, budgets, and technical requirements.

• Track tooling program progress and coordinate design, fabrication, and implementation activities.

• Support Request for Quotation (RFQ) processes, tooling cost estimates, and supplier evaluations.

• Develop and maintain tooling matrices, project documentation, and cost tracking.

• Monitor tooling expenditures and work with Program Management to maintain project budgets.

• Coordinate engineering changes and tooling modifications throughout the product development process.

• Work closely with external tool shops and suppliers to ensure tooling quality, delivery, and performance.

Manufacturing & Technical Support

• Provide technical tooling support to Product Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Program Management, and production teams.

• Participate in cross-functional team meetings to review tooling requirements, project status, and manufacturing challenges.

• Support new product launches, tooling installations, and production readiness activities.

• Troubleshoot tooling-related manufacturing issues and implement corrective actions.

• Identify opportunities to improve tooling performance, cycle times, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.

• Assist with machining, tooling adjustments, and fabrication activities when required.

• Support safe tool handling, loading, unloading, and crane-assisted movements.

• Share technical knowledge, best practices, and provide training to engineering and manufacturing personnel.

Quality & Safety

• Ensure tooling activities comply with applicable automotive quality standards and company procedures.

• Support quality systems and requirements, including IATF 16949 and ISO 14001, as applicable.

• Follow all safety requirements, including proper machine operation, ergonomics, and environmental practices.

• Promote continuous improvement in tooling design, manufacturing processes, and supplier performance.

Required Qualifications

• Significant experience in tooling engineering, tool design, tooling development, or tooling manufacturing.

• Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and production tooling.

• Experience managing tooling projects, including design, fabrication, cost estimation, and implementation.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, CAD models, and technical specifications.

• Strong understanding of machining processes, tooling components, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment.

• Experience working with external tooling suppliers and tool shops.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on problem-solving skills.

• Experience with CAD software, preferably AutoCAD or similar engineering design tools.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.

• Strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills.

• Willingness to travel to manufacturing plants and tooling suppliers as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field. Equivalent hands-on tooling experience will be considered.

• Compression molding tooling experience.

• Automotive Tier 1 or Tier 2 supplier experience.

• Experience with prototype and production tooling development.

• Tooling cost estimation and RFQ processes.

• Tool design and build project management.

• Experience with machining equipment and tooling fabrication.

• Knowledge of MIG, TIG, ARC, or Pulse welding processes.

• Experience with crane operation and safe tool handling.

• Knowledge of automotive quality systems, including IATF 16949.

• Experience supporting new product launches and engineering changes.

Technical Skills

• Tool Design & Development

• Compression Molding Tooling

• Automotive Manufacturing

• Tooling Cost Estimation & RFQs

• Tooling Project Management

• CAD / AutoCAD

• Machining & Tool Fabrication

• Jigs, Fixtures & Gauges

• Engineering Drawings & Blueprints

• Tooling Trials & Validation

• Supplier & Tool Shop Coordination

• Root Cause Analysis & Continuous Improvement

• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Senior Tooling Engineer with strong automotive manufacturing experience, capable of managing tooling projects from initial concept through production launch.

This individual should have a solid understanding of tool design, manufacturing processes, tooling fabrication, compression molding, and supplier management.

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical engineering skills with practical shop-floor experience and can work effectively with engineering, production, program management, and external tooling suppliers.
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