Tooling & Equipment Development Manager

Silgan Plastics • Downers Grove, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This high-impact manufacturing engineering leadership role focuses on tooling development, process engineering, and plastics manufacturing innovation, supporting both product development labs and high-volume production facilities. In this role you will provide technical leadership and drive tooling procurement strategy, process optimization, injection/compression molding advancements, and new product introductions, helping improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and cost performance across North American operations. The position manages the Pilot Laboratory and Machine Shop, oversees prototyping and process validation activities, and ensures that new tools, products, and processes are fully developed, validated, and proven prior to release to manufacturing operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in plastics engineering or mechanical engineering or related field
• Minimum 10+ years of experience in high-cavitations molding for high volume, precision components
• Expertise in injection molding or compression molding – closures preferred
• Strong background in advanced manufacturing, automation and machine controls
• Knowledge of polymer science and materials engineering
• Experience with tooling design, vendor management and process optimization
• Ability to travel 25% to support manufacturing sites and visit vender for first article testing and approvals

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership of tooling and process engineering initiatives across manufacturing operations
• Lead tooling-related projects, including plant start-up, product launches and continuous improvement initiatives
• Oversee tool design, vendor selection and tooling procurement both domestic and international suppliers
• Drive process development, validation and prototyping for new product technologies
• Establish and maintain tool design standards and engineering documentation
• Identify and develop new tooling vendors to reduce cost and improve product quality
• Manage Pilot Laboratory and Machine Shop operations, ensuring readiness for production scale-up
• Lead and mentor a team of engineering professional – approximately 4 team members
• Ensure all tooling, process and products are fully validated and production-ready

Benefits

• Competitive salary: $130,000 - $150,000 based on education and experience
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Company paid life, AD&D and disability insurance
• Voluntary benefits: critical illness, legal plans, pet insurance, identity protection and more
• 401k with company match
• Paid holidays and vacation
• Tuition reimbursement & career advancement opportunities
• Strong culture with employee engagement events, food trucks and team activities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager