Senior Tooling and Manufacturing Engineer, Automotive Interiors

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Tooling and Manufacturing Engineer to support the design and launch of automotive interior components. This role partners with product engineering, manufacturing plants, suppliers, and OEM customers to ensure robust tooling, efficient processes, and high-quality production outcomes.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in secondary tooling, machine builds, and interior trim manufacturing processes, along with a strong track record supporting program launches.

Key Responsibilities

Product and Manufacturing Support
Provide advanced engineering support to manufacturing facilities, product design teams, and OEM customers to ensure product designs are feasible and optimized for production.

Program and Launch Support
Support RFQ development, quote reviews, sourcing decisions, and technical discussions with internal teams and customers. Lead tooling activities for new program launches, ensuring timelines, budgets, and quality targets are achieved.

Tooling and Equipment Management
Manage the design, build, and validation of secondary machines and fixtures. Work closely with suppliers to ensure equipment meets program requirements and customer expectations.

Process Optimization
Drive improvements in manufacturing efficiency, quality, and cost through enhancements to processes, materials, and methods. Champion pre-production runoffs and ensure PPAP readiness, including cycle time and OEE targets.

Plant Support and Troubleshooting
Provide hands-on technical support to manufacturing plants, resolving process and equipment issues to meet production and quality objectives.

Cost and Compliance
Support cost negotiations for tooling and engineering changes. Ensure all equipment meets safety standards including OSHA, NFPA, ANSI, and company requirements.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field is preferred.

Experience
7 to 10 years of experience in machine and fixture design, build, and launch support in a Tier 1 automotive environment.
Strong background in interior trim components such as instrument panels, floor consoles, hard trim, or door systems.
Experience supporting full program launches is required.

Technical Expertise
Hands-on experience with secondary manufacturing processes including heat staking, sonic welding, hot plate or infrared welding, punching, edge wrapping, and thermoforming or vacuum forming.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general engineering tools.

Problem Solving and Leadership
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex manufacturing issues and drive solutions quickly.
Strong communication skills with the ability to work across all levels of the organization and with external suppliers.

Preferred Skills

Experience with PLC systems such as Allen Bradley or Siemens.
Exposure to HMI development tools including FactoryTalk, WinCC, or Ignition.
Knowledge of industrial automation networks such as DeviceNet, ControlNet, Modbus, or Profibus.
Experience with programming tools including Studio 5000 and RSLogix is a plus.

Additional Requirements

Ability to travel 20 to 30 percent to manufacturing plants and supplier locations across North America.
Strong negotiation skills with experience reviewing and managing tooling costs.
Self-motivated and able to work independently while contributing to cross-functional teams