Lead Supplier Tooling Engineer – Plastics & Molds

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

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.