Tooling Engineer

Lydech Thermal Acoustic Solutions (TAS)•Hamptonville, NC

About The Position

The Tooling Engineer is a hands-on role providing technical direction to tooling engineers and tool-and-die repair employees. The position guides new tool designs and supports Operations in resolving manufacturing issues, reducing scrap, and driving continuous process improvements. The engineer improves value-stream profitability and efficiency through initiatives affecting scrap, labor, and downtime, and drives OEE improvement and cost savings using Lean and Six Sigma techniques, including 6S, SMED, and error-proofing. The role establishes tooling preventive-maintenance requirements, participates in tool design reviews, supports product launches, and helps ensure a smooth transition from design and launch into manufacturing. It supports project engineering with new tool designs and manages new-equipment process development, including timing, budget, setup, debugging, and training. The engineer may be responsible for equipment purchases, capital-expense justifications, equipment design and specifications, and equipment standardization in accordance with manufacturing methods and safety requirements. The position also supports APQP, DFMEA, and PPAP activities; prioritizes tooling improvements and repairs; participates in Lean Six Sigma programs; and follows company policies and safety rules. Extended hours may be required, and other duties may be assigned. The position primarily involves sedentary work, with frequent standing and talking or hearing, and regular walking, hand use, reaching, and stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. The work environment has loud noise typical of manufacturing conditions. Work near moving mechanical parts occurs for less than one-third of the time, and work-related travel, including overnight travel, is also listed for less than one-third of the time.

Requirements

A four-year technical degree in Tool and Die or equivalent experience as a journeyman tool-and-die maker.
At least 3–5 years of experience in metal stamping.
Exceptional skill in crash form, draw die, and progressive/transfer design and development.
Hands-on experience troubleshooting various types of die tooling.
Ability to critique die design concepts for production suitability and ease of maintenance.
Ability to critique advanced product designs for manufacturability.
Hands-on experience evaluating customer concerns and troubleshooting.
Strong technical experience with high-tonnage mechanical and hydraulic metal-stamping presses.
Experience in an automotive manufacturing environment, including multitasking and prioritization.
Proficiency with MS Office and CAD software and applications.

Nice To Haves

Self-starting and highly motivated.
Inquisitive and inventive.
High technical aptitude.
Critical and analytical thinking.
Data-driven, fact-based decision-making capabilities.

Responsibilities

Provide hands-on technical direction to tooling engineers and tool-and-die repair employees.
Guide new tool designs and support Operations in resolving manufacturing issues, reducing scrap, and improving processes.
Improve value-stream profitability and efficiency through process improvements affecting scrap, labor, and downtime.
Drive OEE improvement initiatives and cost savings using Lean and Six Sigma techniques such as 6S, SMED, and error-proofing.
Establish tooling preventive-maintenance requirements.
Participate in tool design reviews with project engineers and support product launches to transition designs into manufacturing.
Justify capital expenses for new equipment or process improvements; design and specify equipment and support equipment standardization in line with manufacturing methods and safety requirements.
Support project engineering in developing new tool designs and manage new-equipment process development, timing, budget, setup, debugging, and training.
Support APQP, DFMEA, and PPAP activities as required.
Prioritize tooling improvements and repairs.
Participate actively in Lean Six Sigma programs that promote continuous improvement.
Adhere to company policies and safety rules.
Work extended hours when required.
Perform other duties as assigned.