Tooling Design Engineer

About the role

The Tooling Design Engineer develops, standardizes, and delivers final assembly tooling that meets engineering intent and production requirements. This role works closely with external tooling vendors and cross-functional internal teams during both advanced program planning and development phases to identify necessary tooling, drive cost-saving opportunities, and ensure robust, efficient solutions. The engineer also mentors less-experienced engineers, sharing best practices and explaining the rationale behind tooling decisions to build organizational capability.

Responsibilities

• Specialize in and deliver final assembly tooling that fully meets engineering and production intent.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams during advanced program planning to identify required tooling and define specifications for new and existing equipment.
• Identify and drive cost-saving opportunities in existing and future tooling and equipment.
• Provide a consistent level of proficiency in implementing engineering standards, lessons learned, and employee training related to tooling and processes.
• Foster and mentor Final Assembly Engineering (FAE) engineers and tooling integrators through the tool design process to ensure production tooling aligns with engineering intent and is appropriate for each application.
• Maintain process and launch expertise in tooling and process design for final assembly.
• Lead or support the development of operator interface tooling for final assembly applications, ensuring usability, safety, and efficiency.
• Work closely with tooling vendors to define requirements, review designs, and oversee the delivery of final tools.
• Support automotive production launches by ensuring tooling readiness, resolving issues, and validating performance on the production line.
• Analyze and resolve root causes of tooling-related problems, including issues involving hydraulic lift assists and other final assembly equipment.
• Utilize virtual manufacturing tools to evaluate tooling concepts, layouts, and integration with existing processes.
• Apply data-driven problem-solving techniques and statistical tools to monitor performance, identify trends, and implement improvements.
• Prepare and deliver clear communication and presentations to stakeholders on tooling concepts, project status, and issue resolution.
• Manage tooling-related tasks within program timelines, including planning, coordination, and tracking of deliverables.
• Ensure final tool design and delivery meet quality, timing, and functional requirements for final assembly operations.
• Collaborate effectively with Final Assembly Engineering Integrators to align tooling solutions with process and product requirements.
• Document best practices, lessons learned, and standards for final assembly tooling to support continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering.
• Approximately 5 years of experience with final assembly tooling processes and facilities or equivalent experience with automotive OEM tooling standards.
• Experience with at least one major automotive or comparable production program launch.
• Experience working with tooling vendors on design, development, and delivery of production tooling.
• Experience in the development of operator interface tooling for final assembly applications.
• Experience with integration of tooling into production processes and analyzing root causes of tooling-related problems, including hydraulic lift assist equipment.
• Final tool design and delivery experience for production environments.
• Familiarity with Final Assembly Engineering (FAE) processes, tooling, and joining equipment.
• Data-driven mindset with strong problem-solving techniques.
• Program management skills to coordinate tooling activities within broader program timelines.
• Virtual manufacturing tools for evaluating tooling and processes.
• Working knowledge of statistics, control charts, and data collection methods.
• At least 1 year of experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal.

Pay

$42.30 - $46.53/hr.

Schedule & location

This is a fully onsite contract position based out of Dearborn, MI.

Benefits

If eligible, benefits for this temporary role may include: Medical, dental & vision; Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital; 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions); Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for employee and dependents); Short and long-term disability; Health Spending Account (HSA); Transportation benefits; Employee Assistance Program; and Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave).