Senior Injection Tooling Engineering Lead -- New Program Launches

Job Description

Job Description

Senior Injection Tooling Engineering Lead — New Program Launches

You make complex injection molds launch-ready—on time, on cost, and to spec.

Why this role?

Join a hybrid, contract position based in Troy, Michigan, where you’ll own the most critical elements of injection mold tooling for automotive interiors. You’ll balance supplier leadership, plant support, and hands-on troubleshooting—while keeping programs on track and customers delighted.

The offer at a glance

• Location: Troy, Michigan
• Engagement: Contract | Work Style: Hybrid
• Pay Rate: $50.00-$65.00 per hour (based on proven work history)
• Travel: Expect 20–30% travel on average, with heavy travel periods up to 35–40% for launches and tryouts.

How you’ll make an impact

1. From concept to launch: Direct the sourcing, design, construction, and rollout of tools, fixtures, and equipment for new programs and engineering changes.
2. Rapid problem-solving: Partner with tool-room teams and vendors to clear hurdles in production processes, tool tryouts, and program launches.
3. Change mastery: Estimate, schedule, and execute engineering changes and cost-downs; align Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance for seamless tryouts and phase-ins to meet delivery dates.
4. Design for manufacturability: Provide OEM and corporate design teams with injection molding insights to embed robust, feasible processes into product design.
5. Supplier execution: Govern injection mold build activities—design reviews, construction status, budgets, and timing—to hit corporate targets on timing, cost, and quality.
6. PPAP ownership: Lead preproduction sampling and approvals to achieve prompt PPAP at quoted cycle times and targeted OEE.
7. Negotiation and cost control: Participate in cost negotiations for tools and engineering changes with suppliers and OEM cost analysts.
8. Plant launch support: Support preproduction machine start-up at corporate plants during PPAP. Troubleshoot manufacturing processes and product lines to meet customer quality and profitability goals.
9. Continuous improvement: Elevate efficiency and quality using better processes, materials, methods, and facilities; keep pace with advances in tooling technology and apply them where suitable.

Work setting and physical expectations

• Flexibility to work at and travel to corporate plant locations and supplier sites as needed.
• 20–30% travel to support role requirements, with peaks up to 35–40% during high-activity periods.

What you’ll bring

• BS/BA degree required; MA preferred.
• 5–8 years’ experience in injection mold design, construction, or build follow-up for automotive interior trim (Floor Consoles, Instrument Panels, Door Panels).
• Track record launching interior trim programs/components.
• Excellent time and project management; capable of managing multiple concurrent tasks.
• Strong communication (written and verbal); proficient with Microsoft Office and general computer tools.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve issues quickly and mitigate risks to program objectives.
• Effective negotiator; comfortable reviewing and establishing tool costs with suppliers and OEM cost analysts.
• Works independently with minimal supervision, especially when offsite.
• Collaborative launch team member; effective with stakeholders at all organizational levels, with strong individual accountability.

Legal

A successful candidate will be subject to a background check and must receive satisfactory results of the same, as a condition of joining the team.

By applying for this role, you confirm that all information submitted is accurate and complete. You further acknowledge that providing false or fraudulent information during the application process is cause for denial of an offer, revocation of any existing offer, or other adverse action, up to and including termination after the start of your commencement of work.

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