Principal Plastics Tooling Engineer (Injection Molds)

Principal Plastics Tooling Engineer (Injection Molds) Role snapshot

• Location: Troy, Michigan
• Engagement: Contract
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid
• Pay Rate: $50.00-$65.00 per hour (based on proven work history)
• Travel: Up to 35–40% may be required; expect 20–30% travel on average to plants and suppliers.
  
  

What you’ll do

• Steer sourcing, design, build, and launch activities for tooling, fixtures, and equipment supporting future programs and ongoing changes.
• Troubleshoot with tool-room staff and vendors on production, tryout, and launch issues to restore flow quickly.
• Plan and execute engineering changes (scope, timing, cost) and cost-reduction projects.
• Coordinate with Program Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Finance to align tryouts, phase-ins, and delivery commitments.
• Provide technical guidance to product development and design teams on manufacturability.
• Deploy the right technologies on processes and tooling to meet or exceed customer specifications.
• Track advances in tooling technology and translate them into actionable improvements.
  
  

Program launch and supplier leadership

• Supply OEM and corporate design teams with manufacturing and molding feedback to drive robust, feasible designs.
• Own injection mold build scope: tool design, construction oversight, budgets, and timing for new launches.
• Lead project teams to fulfill customer expectations and internal deliverables.
• Manage supplier execution to hit timing, cost, and quality goals.
• Lead preproduction sampling and approvals to achieve PPAP on schedule at quoted cycle times and target OEE.
• Negotiate tooling and engineering change costs with suppliers and OEM cost analysts.
• Support machine start-ups at corporate plants during PPAP.
• Diagnose and correct issues in existing manufacturing processes and product lines to meet quality and profitability targets.
• Improve efficiency and quality through enhanced processes, materials, methods, and facility changes.
  
  

Travel and work environment

• Flexible to work onsite at corporate plants and supplier facilities as needed.
• Anticipate 20–30% travel overall, with periods reaching 35–40% for program needs.
  
  

Qualifications

• BS/BA required; MA preferred.
• 5–8 years in injection mold design, construction, or build follow-up for automotive interior trim (Floor Consoles, Instrument Panels, Door Panels).
• Prior program/component launch experience in interiors.
• Exceptional time and project management; comfortable with multiple parallel priorities.
• Strong written/verbal communication; Microsoft Office proficiency and solid general computer skills.
• Ability to rapidly resolve issues and mitigate risks to program objectives.
• Negotiation strength; experienced reviewing/setting tool costs with suppliers and OEM cost analysts.
• Self-directed when working remotely or independently.
• Collaborative launch-team contributor, effective across all organizational levels with high personal 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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