Tooling Design Engineer - Plastics

TOOLING DESIGN ENGINEER - PLASTICS

The Tooling Design Engineer designs, develops, and optimizes plastic injection molds, fixtures, gauges, and related manufacturing tooling. The role owns or supports the tooling lifecycle from early Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews through design, build support, sampling, validation, and continuous improvement. The engineer collaborates with product design, process engineering, the toolroom, quality, sales, and external toolmakers to deliver robust, cost-effective, high-quality tooling that meets production volume, cycle-time, and quality targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and detail complex injection molds (including multi-cavity, hot-runner, and family tools), fixtures, end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), gauges, and secondary process equipment.
• Conduct DFM reviews of plastic part designs; recommend changes for moldability, draft, wall thickness, gating, cooling, ejection, shrinkage, and warpage.
• Create complete 3D CAD models and 2D manufacturing drawings with proper GD&T, bills of materials, and tooling specifications.
• Perform or interpret mold-flow / CAE analysis (fill, pack, cool, warp) to optimize gate locations, runner systems, cooling circuits, and process windows.
• Define tooling strategy: cavitation, mold base and steel selection, hot-runner systems, slides/lifters/actions, venting, and cycle-time targets.
• Support tool builds (internal toolroom or external suppliers), attend design reviews, resolve issues during machining/assembly, and participate in first-article sampling and validation.
• Troubleshoot tooling-related defects in production; propose and implement design modifications, inserts, or repairs.
• Provide technical input for sales quotations, tool cost estimates, and lead-time schedules.
• Maintain project timelines, documentation, and status reporting; support quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 13485, APQP/PPAP where applicable).
• Collaborate cross-functionally and with customers/suppliers; occasionally travel for tool tryouts, customer meetings, or supplier support.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience (typically 5–7+ years).
• 3–7+ years of hands-on experience designing plastic injection molds or related tooling in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, PTC Creo, Siemens NX, or CATIA commonly required; SolidWorks is frequently preferred).
• Strong knowledge of injection mold construction, components (hot runners, cooling, ejection, slides, lifters), plastics materials and shrinkage behavior, and molding process fundamentals.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create technical drawings and specifications; solid understanding of GD&T.
• Experience with mold-flow analysis software (e.g., Autodesk Moldflow or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills; ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a mold maker, toolmaker, or in a toolroom.
• Knowledge of machining processes (CNC milling, EDM, grinding, polishing).
• Experience with high-volume or precision tooling (medical, automotive, consumer goods).
• Familiarity with Lean principles, root-cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
• Exposure to other plastics processes (blow molding, extrusion dies, thermoforming) is a plus depending on the company.

Typical Skills & Tools

• CAD: SolidWorks, Creo, NX, CATIA
• Simulation: Moldflow, SolidWorks Plastics, or similar
• Other: GD&T, project scheduling, technical documentation, Microsoft Office / PLM systems

Please forward confidential resume to:  Barbara Collins - barbara.collins@gogpac.com

Must be eligible to work in the US

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.