Manufacturing Engineering Tooling Lead

ITP Aero; Hyderabad; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Job summary

ITP Aero is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Tooling Lead to drive tooling strategy, design, industrialization and validation for sheet metal components and assemblies. You will interface with Manufacturing, Design, Quality, Supply Chain and external tooling partners to ensure on-time, within-budget delivery of tooling programs.

You will lead design reviews, risk assessments and qualification activities, ensuring compliance with AS9100 and customer requirements while mentoring Tooling

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical/aerospace/production engineering or related discipline.
• 8–15 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing engineering and tooling development.
• Proven experience leading tooling design and industrialization projects in aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of sheet metal processes and aero engine manufacturing.
• Proficiency in CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, Solid Works or equivalent CAD platforms.
• Experience applying GD&T and dimensional management principles.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and aerospace manufacturing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of tooling solutions for manufacturing operations including bending, forming, laser trimming, sheet metal tooling, welding, inspection and assembly.
• Define tooling standards and requirements for NPI, industrialization and ramp-up.
• Oversee tooling projects from in-house production through external suppliers with validation and production release.
• Ensure tooling designs comply with aerospace standards, customer requirements and regulatory obligations.
• Manage tooling qualification, FAI support, and capability validation; drive quality improvements.

Skills

CATIA V5/V6

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

GD&T

Dimensional management

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Production Engineering

Tools

CAD tools

Job description

The Manufacturing Engineering Tooling Lead is responsible for leading the design, development, industrialization, validation, and implementation of tooling solutions that support part manufacturing and assembly operations. The role drives tooling strategy, technical excellence, productivity improvements, and compliance with aerospace quality standards while ensuring tooling projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with program requirements.

The position acts as the key interface between Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and external tool suppliers to ensure successful development and deployment of tooling required for sheet metal components and assembly.

Key Accountabilities

Tooling Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of tooling solutions for manufacturing operations such as Bending, Forming, Laser Trimming, Sheet Metal operation tooling, Welding, Inspection and assembly
• Establish tooling design standards, methodologies, and best practices.
• Define tooling requirements to support new product introduction (NPI), industrialization, and production ramp-up activities.
• Drive standardization and re-use of tooling concepts across programs and sites.
• Weekly connect with Tooling manager/team across Spain, UK & Mexico and discuss strategies that is being followed in other facilities.

Manufacturing Engineering Support

• Translate manufacturing process requirements into robust tooling concepts and technical specifications.
• Ensure tooling solutions are optimized for manufacturability, quality, safety, and cost.

Project Management

• Lead tooling projects both internally (in-house manufacturing of Tools) and External suppliers through procurement, validation, and production release.
• Develop project schedules, budgets, resource plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure on-time delivery of tooling to meet program milestones and production requirements.
• Manage engineering changes and tooling modifications throughout the product lifecycle through LIVE tooling tracker

Technical Governance

• Conduct in-house tooling design reviews, risk assessments, and technical approvals.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards, customer requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Review and approve tooling drawings, specifications, and qualification documentation.
• Function as the technical focal point for tooling suppliers
• Evaluate supplier proposals, monitor tooling fabrication activities, and support acceptance testing.
• Collaborate with design engineering, quality, production, and program management teams.
• Resolve technical and schedule-related issues affecting tooling projects.

Tool Validation & Quality Assurance

• Lead tooling qualification, commissioning, and capability validation activities.
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) and process qualification requirements.
• Ensure tooling achieves required dimensional accuracy, repeatability, and process capability.
• Investigate tooling-related quality issues and implement corrective actions.
• Drive initiatives to improve tooling reliability, maintainability, ergonomics, and productivity.
• Reduce manufacturing cycle times, tooling costs, and non-quality costs.
• Promote Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement culture across the organization.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to Tooling Designers and Manufacturing Engineers.
• Support competency development within the tooling engineering team.
• Foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across the engineering organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• High attention to detail and quality orientation.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Collaboration and teamwork across global engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong ownership and accountability

It is Essential that the Successful Candidate

• Holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, production engineering, or a related discipline.
• Has 8-15 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing engineering and tooling development.
• Has proven experience leading tooling design and industrialization projects within an aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Possesses strong knowledge of sheet metal processes, aero engine manufacturing.
• Is proficient in CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, Solid Works, or equivalent CAD platforms.
• Has extensive experience applying GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and dimensional management principles.
• Demonstrates knowledge of AS9100 quality systems and aerospace manufacturing requirements.
• Has strong project management, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Can manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Possesses excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.