Manager, Manufacturng Engrg

Rocketdyne; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 217,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocketdyne in Redmond, WA is seeking a Manager, Tooling Engineering to lead a team of tooling engineers responsible for design, fabrication, and production support of tooling solutions. The role requires hands-on leadership, deep understanding of production tooling, and collaboration with design, manufacturing, and suppliers to ensure quality and efficiency.

You will own tooling from concept through production, manage budgets and schedules, develop standards, and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's or higher in engineering or related field.
• Graduate degree preferred with senior experience in tooling/manufacturing.
• If no degree, minimum 13 years related experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of tooling engineers.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and requirements.
• Own tooling engineering from concept to production support.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers.
• Manage tooling budgets, schedules, and resources.
• Establish tooling standards and design guidelines.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide manufacturability input for tooling requirements.
• Oversee tooling documentation and shop floor execution.
• Maintain safety and quality compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Tooling design

GD&T

Manufacturing know‑how

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Degree

Experience equivalent to 13 years

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Oracle/SAP

PLM software

FEA software

Job description

Job Title

Manager, Tooling Engineering

Job Location

Redmond WA

Job Schedule

9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and skilled Manager, Tooling Engineering with a background in tooling design, fabrication, and manufacturing support. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a team of tooling engineers to develop, implement, and optimize tooling solutions that ensure the highest quality and efficiency in production. This position requires a proactive and hands-on leadership approach, working collaboratively with cross-functional teams and suppliers to address and resolve issues, drive continuous improvements, and uphold our stringent quality standards. This role requires complete ownership of the tooling engineering function from concept to production support. We’re looking for someone who is highly invested in the tooling solutions their team develops and genuinely enjoys getting hands-on with tooling design and implementation. The ideal candidate thrives on the shop floor, takes personal ownership of their team's tooling deliverables, and finds satisfaction in directly engaging with the hardware, production teams, and suppliers to solve real-world manufacturing challenges. You must deeply understand not just how to design and build tooling, but the products being manufactured - their design intent, functionality, and critical features - to effectively translate production requirements into successful tooling solutions.

Ideal Candidate

• The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise, proven leadership capabilities, and a high level of self-motivation.

Essential Functions

• Lead and develop a team of tooling engineers, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and performance management
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing requirements to guide tooling strategy and design that produces conforming hardware
• Take full ownership of tooling engineering deliverables, serving as the primary technical authority from initial concept through production implementation
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of product design, functionality, and manufacturing requirements to ensure tooling solutions support product performance and quality objectives
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including design engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality, production, and suppliers to ensure successful program execution
• Oversee the development of clear, comprehensive tooling documentation including design specifications, assembly instructions, and maintenance procedures. Ensure documentation effectively bridges engineering intent with shop floor execution
• Manage tooling budgets, schedules, and resource allocation to meet program commitments
• Establish and maintain tooling standards, best practices, and design guidelines
• Participate in and lead continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to the development of organizational best practices
• Provide design for manufacturability feedback with emphasis on tooling requirements and constraints
• Design and implement process improvements to enhance tooling effectiveness, productivity, quality, and cost-efficiency
• Manage relationships with external tooling suppliers and vendors
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and quality standards for all tooling operations

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
• Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field
• Manufacturing Engineering and/or tooling engineering experience
• Previous experience managing a tooling engineering or manufacturing discipline group or team
• ASME Y14.5 GD&T certification or equivalent advanced training
• Experience with tooling design and manufacturing support for space hardware or aerospace applications
• Experience working within ERP systems such as Oracle or SAP
• Experience working within PLM software to manage tooling designs, assemblies, and documentation
• Proficiency in tooling design principles, machining, GD&T, fixture design, and assembly processes
• Experience with advanced manufacturing technologies including machining, additive manufacturing, and automated assembly fixtures
• Experience with process optimization, lean manufacturing, and Six Sigma methodologies
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex tooling and manufacturing issues
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated ability to build and develop high-performing teams
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with ability to influence across organizational levels
• Proficiency in additional CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA) and other relevant engineering tools
• Experience with FEA and tooling analysis software
• Knowledge of industry standards and regulations related to tooling design and manufacturing processes
• Project management experience and familiarity with project management tools
• Experience managing supplier relationships and external tooling vendors

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in the State of Washington is $116,500 - $216,500. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location.