Tooling Engineer

Hero Recruitment; Leixlip; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

HERO Recruitment is seeking a Tooling Engineer in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, to support the full lifecycle of injection mould tooling from design through production release. You will collaborate with toolmakers, customers and internal teams in a fast-paced, regulated medical device environment.

The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience with multi-cavity injection mould tools, hot runner systems, and a systematic, detail-oriented approach to problem-solving in high-volume manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Formal engineering qualification or time-served toolmaking background.
• Strong knowledge of injection moulding processes, materials and tooling principles.
• Experience with tooling validation and production handover.
• Hands-on, structured and analytical approach to problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Support the full lifecycle of injection mould tools, from design review and manufacture through to validation and production release.
• Troubleshoot tooling and process-related issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Lead tooling trials, first-off inspections, and tool validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Lead technical development and introduction of injection mould tooling for new product launches.
• Collaborate with production, quality and process engineering to ensure tools perform reliably in high-volume settings.
• Provide technical support to customers, including participation in reviews and problem resolution meetings.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to tooling performance, cycle time, quality and cost.
• Maintain tooling documentation, validation reports and change records.

Skills

Injection moulding

Tooling

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Customer-facing

Education

Engineering qualification or time-served toolmaking

Tools

FMEA

SPC

8D

Job description

Tooling Engineer

Location: Leixlip, Co. Kildare

Our client, a leading medical device manufacturer, is seeking an experienced and proactive Tooling Engineer to join their fast-paced injection moulding operation, reporting to the Tooling Manager. This role will support the full lifecycle of injection mould tooling - from design and validation through to production release - while driving continuous improvement and acting as the technical interface between customers, toolmakers, and internal teams. The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience with multi-cavity injection mould tools and hot runner systems, ideally within medical device manufacturing or another highly regulated sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the full lifecycle of injection mould tools, from design review and manufacture through to validation and production release.
• Troubleshoot tooling and process-related issues, identifying root causes and implementing robust corrective actions.
• Lead and support tooling trials, first-off inspections, and tool validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ where applicable).
• Lead technical development and introduction of injection mould tooling for new product launches.
• Work closely with production, quality, and process engineering teams to ensure tools perform reliably in a high-volume environment.
• Provide technical support to customers, including participation in technical reviews, trials, and problem resolution meetings.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to tooling performance, cycle time, quality, and cost.
• Maintain accurate tooling documentation, validation reports, and change records.
• Collaborate with vendors and subcontractors to ensure tooling quality and timelines.
• Ensure tooling activities comply with company procedures, quality standards, and health & safety requirements.

Qualifications & Experience

• Formal engineering qualification or time-served toolmaking background is an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of injection moulding processes, materials, and tooling principles.
• Proven experience with toolmaking issues such as wear, venting, gating, cooling, flash, and dimensional variation.
• Experience with tooling validation and production handover.
• Hands-on, structured, and analytical approach to problem-solving.
• Experience in high-volume or automotive/medical/packaging injection moulding environments is desirable.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement tools (e.g. FMEA, SPC, 8D) is desirable.
• Strong customer-facing skills, with the ability to communicate technical information clearly and professionally.
• Self-motivated, practical, and results-driven, with the ability to stay calm and effective under pressure.
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation skills.

For further information on this role please contact Gavin Moran on 087 4108620 or [e-mail]

Check out all our open jobs on our HERO Recruitment website - https://www.hero.ie/

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Data can only be transferred outside of the EEA on the basis of standards contractual clauses, to a country for whom an adequacy decision has been given by the European Commission or where the express permission of the data subject has been given. You have supplied us with your personal data in the process of applying for a position. Our client company may have personnel outside of the EEA who will review