Lead Tooling Engineer

Role details

About the Role

As a Lead Tooling Engineer, you will spearhead the technical strategy, procurement, and validation of complex injection molding systems for automotive glass encapsulation. You will serve as the primary technical authority, ensuring that tooling designs and manufacturing processes deliver high-quality, robust outcomes for our production programs.

Responsibilities* Drive the end-to-end development of encapsulation tooling, ensuring seamless integration of glass substrates and polymer materials. • Lead comprehensive mold design reviews, optimizing gating, cooling, and steel selection to maximize dimensional stability and adhesion performance. • Manage external tooling suppliers to ensure all builds meet rigorous quality standards and project timelines.

• Execute successful tool sampling and launch phases, troubleshooting defects like short shots, flash, or stress marks to ensure flawless production readiness. • Utilize Mold Flow and CAE analysis to predict and mitigate risks related to flow-induced stresses and thermal management. • Establish and maintain preventive maintenance protocols and spare parts strategies to ensure long-term operational efficiency.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to evaluate product feasibility, ensuring design-for-manufacturability principles are applied early in the development cycle.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent technical experience.
• 8\+ years of experience in injection molding, with a focus on encapsulated automotive glass or similar complex assemblies.
• Advanced proficiency in mold design, polymer science, and interpreting technical CAD models.
• Proven track record of managing multi-tool programs and supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical skills for interpreting CAE/Mold Flow data to optimize manufacturing processes.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with ISO/IATF 16949 quality management systems.
• Expertise in advanced hot runner systems and hybrid material molding.
• Bilingual communication skills (Spanish/English) to support global supplier interactions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead continuous improvement initiatives in a high-volume manufacturing environment.