Principal Tooling Engineer

Job Description

Principal Tooling Engineer - Injection Molding

Location: Libertyville, IL (Relocation assistance packages offered for qualified candidates)
Travel: International travel to Denmark (1-2 weeks at a time during the first year; significantly reduced thereafter)

Target Pay: $145,000-$175,000/year + 10% annual bonus


Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Tooling Engineer to support the development of state-of-the-art injection molding tooling for a high-visibility medical manufacturing program, including production of a leading weight-loss therapy. This role partners closely with global customers and internal engineering teams to design, validate, and launch advanced tooling while helping establish U.S.-based manufacturing capability.

This is a highly collaborative, hands-on position ideal for a senior tooling professional who enjoys working across design, process development, and shop-floor execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and engineer complex tooling solutions for molds, jigs, and fixtures to meet product and regulatory specifications.
• Participate in design reviews and perform Design for Manufacturability (DFM) evaluations.
• Lead validation of molding tools and troubleshoot tooling or process-related issues.
• Implement cost-effective tooling improvements and engineering changes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on tool qualification, sampling, and final part approval.
• Develop and maintain tooling documentation, work instructions, and process standards.
• Provide technical coaching and guidance to tooling technicians and internal engineering staff.
• Deliver status updates aligned with project timelines and customer expectations.
• Support early-phase international collaboration, including travel to Denmark during initial program launch.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 15+ years of experience in injection molding tooling design, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Deep expertise in thermoplastics and/or thermosets, mold flow, and molding process optimization.
• Strong background in Design for Manufacturability and tooling qualification.
• Hands-on experience working in manufacturing or tool room environments.
• Proven ability to collaborate across engineering, production, and customer teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Medical device or regulated manufacturing experience.
• Experience supporting global manufacturing transfers or new product launches.
• Familiarity with inspection, measurement tools, and electronic/mechanical test equipment.

Why Join

• Opportunity to contribute to a high-impact medical manufacturing program.
• Visibility with global customers and leadership teams.
• Key role in bringing advanced production capability to the United States.
• Collaborative environment where senior technical expertise drives real outcomes.

Meet Your Recruiter

Herman Davis
Technical Recruiter

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Connect on LinkedIn


About Buffalo Grove, IL

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