Senior Tooling Engineer

General Description:

• Provide input and direction in the sourcing, design, construction, and launch of new tools, fixtures and equipment for future programs and current changes.
• Assist Tool-Room personnel and/or vendors in solving problems arising from production processes, tool tryouts and launching of new programs.
• Estimate, schedule and execute all engineering changes of tooling, cost savings, etc.
• Co-ordinate these changes with Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance departments to ensure timely try-out and phase in periods to meet production schedule requirements or customers delivery dates.
• Provide technical support for product development and design.
• Use technology on new and current processes and tools to meet or exceed customer specifications.
• Stay informed of latest technologies with respect to tooling.

Position Specific Requirements (PSR):

• Provide product and manufacturing design support to the OEM and IAC product design team to assure manufacturing feasibility and robust processes are driven into product design from an injection mold and molding perspectives.
• Manage all activities related to the tool design, construction, budget, and timing of injection mold builds for new program launches.
• Provide tooling leadership to project teams to support customer needs.
• Manage injection mold build activities with suppliers to meet IAC program timing, cost, and quality objectives.
• Champion the preproduction mold samples and approval processes to assure prompt PPAP based quoted cycle times and OEE’s.
• Participate in cost negations pertaining to tool and engineering change costs.
• Support preproduction machine start up at IAC Manufacturing plants during the PPAP process.
• Provide technical support to IAC Manufacturing plants on troubleshooting existing manufacturing processes and/or product lines to achieve customer quality standards and profit objectives.
• Assist in optimizing manufacturing efficiency and quality standards through the implementation of improved processes, materials, methods, and facilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Must have flexibility to work at and travel to IAC plant locations and supplier locations.
• 20-30% of your time will be spent traveling supporting position requirements.

Education:

• BS/BA required
• MA preferred

Experience:

• Requires 5-8 years work experience with injection mold design, construction or build follow up for interior trim automotive components (Floor Consoles, Instrument Panels or Doors).

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Experience with past program / interior trim component launches.
• Excellent time management and project management skills
• Must have good written and oral skill sets, be proficient with Microsoft Office and other computer skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to resolve issues quickly and to recognize and resolve threats to program objections.
• Must have good negotiating skills. Position involves reviewing and establishing tool costs with suppliers and OEM cost analyst.
• Must be able to work independent of direct supervision, especially when away from the office.
• Must be able to work as a member of the launch team, be proficient at working with all levels of the organization, while maintaining a sense of individual accountability and responsibility