Tooling Engineering Team Lead, NPI Readiness

Job Description

Job DescriptionLead the tooling function that powers new product launches

Imagine starting your day by bringing a cross-functional team together around a Tier board. You scan the queue, weigh engineering complexity against NPI milestones, and set the pace. A machining issue surfaces on a composite tool—within minutes you guide a root-cause discussion, convert the solution into actionable tasks for engineers and technicians, and align design, manufacturing, and quality on next steps. By afternoon, you’re reviewing a design package for manufacturability, validating GD&T, and ensuring the tooling requirements are clear and executable. You close the day by coaching a technician through structured problem solving and updating standards so the next launch runs even smoother.

What you’ll own

• Lead daily activities for a team of tooling engineers and technicians, acting as the technical escalation point for complex design, manufacturability, and process challenges.
• Prioritize work across programs using engineering complexity, NPI timelines, and production demand to guide scheduling.
• Run Tier boards and technical stand-ups to maintain alignment, remove blockers, and drive commitments.
• Execute high-level troubleshooting, perform root cause analysis, and steer design-based solutions.
• Define tooling requirements for NPI, review design packages, and ensure designs are production-ready.
• Translate engineering solutions into clear, executable tasks and verify correct implementation.
• Collaborate closely with design engineering, manufacturing engineering, and quality to resolve cross-functional issues.
• Build team capability via coaching, targeted engineering trainings, and structured problem solving.
• Continuously improve tooling design standards, documentation, and engineering workflows.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or related Engineering field (required).
• 3–5+ years in tooling, manufacturing, or design engineering.
• 2–3 years leading or supervising technical teams of engineers and technicians.
• Deep knowledge of hard/soft tooling, machining, fabrication, and composite tooling.
• Ability to provide engineering-level troubleshooting and guide DFM/MRB decisions.
• Proven planning, scheduling, and workload management across multiple programs.
• Experience using KPIs to drive continuous improvement at an engineering depth.

Preferred background

• Hands-on support of NPI: tooling readiness and cross-functional engineering reviews.
• Experience with CAD, GD&T, design reviews, and validating tooling packages.
• History of leading safety, ergonomic, and process improvements.
• Mentorship mindset that grows engineering problem-solving capability.

Compensation

Salary range for this position is: $100,000 - $122,500 depending on experience.

Technical focus

You should be proficient in:

• Production Optimization
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)

Machines & technologies you'll use:

• CAD Software