Advanced Quality Tooling Engineer- Plastics

Slate Auto; Troy (MI); On-site; USD 123,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity program

Discretionary annual incentive

Job summary

Slate is seeking a Senior Supplier Tooling Engineer‑Plastics to lead vendor tooling across plastics, from tool award through production runoff and PPAP approval. You will track milestones, runoffs and inspections, evaluate dimensional data, and drive corrective actions to ensure production readiness.

You will mentor SQEs, oversee tooling assets, and partner with Purchasing and Program Management to protect budgets and timelines in a fast-paced automotive environment.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent or relevant experience.
• 8+ years in supplier tooling, tool engineering or supplier quality with mold/die/fixture design experience.
• Excellent communication and supplier relationship skills.
• Deep experience with varied tooling types including injection-molded plastics.
• Identify tooling root causes and drive corrective actions using structured problem‑solving methods (8D, 5‑Why, Ishikawa).
• Understand tooling program metrics: tool trials, build milestones, first article acceptance, capacity verification.
• Proficient in reading GD&T, tool drawings, die/mold design prints; experience with CMM data and capability studies (Cpk, Ppk, Gauge R&R).
• Strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills; high integrity.
• Ability to manage multiple tooling programs in a fast-paced launch.

Responsibilities

• Manage Slate’s vendor tooling program across all commodity types from tool award to production runoff and PPAP.
• Track tool build status, milestones, runoffs, and tool trials with first article inspections.
• Evaluate dimensional and process capability data from tool-sourced parts and drive corrective action.
• Oversee tooling asset register and coordinate engineering change at the tool level.
• Support capacity verification activities and protect tooling budgets and timing.
• Mentor SQEs on tooling evaluation methods and supplier engagement strategies.

Skills

8+ years tooling experience

GD&T reading

Strong communication

Root-cause analysis (8D, 5-Why, Ishik—

Education

Engineering Degree or equiv.

Tools

Mold design

Die design

Fixture design

CMM data interpretation

Job description

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE

LOOKING FOR SLATE is looking for an energetic, organized, experienced Senior Supplier Tooling Engineer‑Plastics to join our growing team. The Senior Supplier Tooling Engineer will serve as Slate’s primary technical authority on vendor tooling, molds, and dies across the supply base. This role owns tooling compliance, asset tracking, runoff readiness, and launch support — ensuring that supplier tooling is capable, documented, and production‑ready at every program milestone. As a senior‑level contributor, this individual also provides technical mentorship to SQEs interfacing with tooling‑intensive suppliers.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

In this position, the candidate will be responsible for managing Slate’s vendor tooling program across all commodity types — including injection‑molded plastics, and soft trim — from tool award through production runoff and PPAP approval. Responsibilities include tracking tooling build status and milestone adherence, conducting tool trials and first article inspections, evaluating dimensional and process capability data from tool‑sourced parts, and driving corrective action on tooling‑related non‑conformances. The Senior Supplier Tooling Engineer will also oversee Slate’s tooling asset register, coordinate Engineering Change implementation at the tool level, support capacity verification activities, and partner with Purchasing and Program Management to protect tooling budgets and timing. In a lead capacity, this individual will guide less experienced SQEs on tooling evaluation methods and supplier engagement strategies.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Engineering Degree or equiv. or previous working level experience.
• 8+ years of experience in supplier tooling, tool engineering, or supplier quality with significant hands‑on exposure to mold, die, and fixture design, construction, and runoff in an automotive or high‑volume manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and supplier relationship skills, with the ability to hold tooling vendors accountable while maintaining productive working partnerships.
• Deep experience across tooling types for varied commodity groups including injection‑molded plastics.
• Ability to identify tooling root causes for dimensional, cosmetic, or process capability issues and drive timely corrective action through structured problem‑solving methods (8D, 5‑Why, Ishikawa).
• Strong understanding of tooling program metrics including tool trial status, T1/T2/T3 build milestones, first article acceptance rates, and capacity verification results.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting GD&T, tool drawings, and die/mold design prints; experience working with CMM data, dimensional reports, and capability studies (Cpk, Ppk, Gauge R&R).
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• High level of integrity, with the ability to communicate tooling risk clearly and elevate issues to program leadership without delay.
• Ability to manage multiple tooling programs simultaneously in a fast‑paced launch environment, prioritizing effectively under program pressure.

Salary Range

The compensation for this position is the range Slate reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job‑related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; work location; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

• Base Pay Range (Annual) $123,339.00 - $185,009.00 USD
• Annual Additional Compensation and Benefits: Slate offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k.
• The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in the equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.

WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?

At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start‑up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

Safety First Delight Customers One Team Relentless Improvement Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy Respectful Collaboration Positive Legacy

WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.

Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail].

About Us

At Slate, we’ve got one job: building a vehicle you’ll fall in love with, right here in the USA. We believe that car buyers—not car companies—should call the shots. We like looking at a road, not a screen. We don’t like paying for stuff we don’t need. We like picking out the stuff we do need. We think dings are badges, not blemishes. But we know not everyone likes what we like. So, we built you a Slate: you make it yours.