Manager, Tooling Engineering

saabusa; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 132,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

Saab in West Lafayette, IN is seeking a senior tooling leader to own the full lifecycle of production tooling, from concept through retirement. You will establish a tooling master plan aligned to production schedules and new programs, enforce tool control and calibration, and lead a team of tool designers and shop staff on a fast-paced production floor.

The role requires BS in engineering, 7+ years in tooling design/manufacturing engineering with supervisory experience, and aerospace/regulated

Qualifications

• BS degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering or related
• 7+ years tooling design, tool room operations, or manufacturing engineering; 3+ years in supervision
• Aerospace/regulated manufacturing experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Own full lifecycle of production tooling from design concept through qualification, in-service use, calibration and retirement.
• Develop and maintain a tooling master plan aligned to production schedules and new program launches.
• Establish tool control procedures with traceability and configuration management per AS9100.
• Direct tooling design to support new part introductions, changes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Oversee maintenance, calibration, and audit readiness of tooling; maintain tool records and change logs.
• Lead tool designers, toolmakers and tool room staff; manage staffing against production demand; foster safety culture.
• Source and manage relationships with external tooling vendors; negotiate cost, lead time and quality.
• Drive Lean/Six Sigma initiatives to reduce tool changeover time and cost per part.
• Support first article inspections and production part approvals tied to tooling qualification.

Skills

Tooling design

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Lean Six Sigma

Education

BS in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

NX

CMM

Job description

Job Description: At Saab in West Lafayette, IN, you have the opportunity to join a team that manufactures the rear section of the T-7A Redhawk military trainer aircraft for the United States Air Force. This flagship facility utilizes advanced manufacturing techniques and leverage research and development to support Saab's broad product portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Tooling Strategy & Lifecycle Management

Own the full lifecycle of production tooling, fixtures, jigs, gauges, molds, and dies - from design concept through qualification, in-service use, calibration, refurbishment, and retirement.

Develop and maintain a tooling master plan aligned to production schedules, new program launches, and rate increases.

Establish and enforce tool control procedures, including numbering, storage, traceability, and configuration management in line with AS9100 requirements.

Design & Engineering Oversight

Direct the design or redesign of tooling to support new part introductions, engineering changes, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Review and approve tool designs for manufacturability, ergonomics, cycle time, and compliance with engineering drawings and specifications.

Partner with Manufacturing and Design Engineering on make/buy decisions for tooling.

Maintenance, Calibration & Compliance

Oversee preventive maintenance, repair, and calibration programs for all production and inspection tooling.

Ensure all tooling and gauging remain within calibration and are audit-ready for customer, FAA, and AS9100/NADCAP audits.

Maintain accurate tooling records, including MRB dispositions, tool history files, and change logs.

Team Leadership

Manage, mentor, and develop tool designers, toolmakers, tool room technicians, and tool crib staff.

Set performance goals, conduct reviews, and manage staffing levels against production demand.

Foster a safety-first culture in the tool room consistent with OSHA and site EHS requirements.

Contribute to a people-culture in alignment with the core Company values: Trust, Drive, Expertise and Support.

Vendor & Supply Chain Management

Source, qualify, and manage relationships with external tooling vendors and machine shops.

Negotiate cost, lead time, and quality terms for outsourced tooling builds and repairs.

Manage the tooling capital budget, including forecasting, purchase justification, and cost tracking.

Production Support

Ensure tooling availability meets production schedules; lead root cause analysis and corrective action for tooling-related downtime or nonconformances.

Support first article inspections (FAI/AS9102) and production part approval processes tied to tooling qualification.

Drive continuous improvement (Lean/Six Sigma) initiatives to reduce tool changeover time, improve durability, and lower cost per part.

Other relevant tasks and projects as assigned

Other relevant tasks and projects as assigned

Compensation Range

Compensation Range: $132,000 - $171,000

The compensation range provided is a general guideline. When extending an offer, Saab, Inc. considers factors including (but not limited to) the role and associated responsibilities, location, and market and business considerations, as well as the candidate's work experience, key skills, and education/training.

Skills and Experience

Education & Experience

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in tooling design, tool room operations, or manufacturing engineering, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment strongly preferred.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of AS9100, AS9102 (FAI), and customer-specific quality requirements.
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) for tool design review.
• Familiarity with CNC machining, composite layup tooling, sheet metal forming dies, or assembly jigs/fixtures as applicable to the facility's product line.
• Understanding of GD&T, blueprint reading, and dimensional inspection methods (CMM, gauges).
• Experience with calibration systems and tool control/traceability software (ERP/MES tooling modules).

Leadership

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage direct reports in a fast-paced production environment.
• Strong project management skills, including budget ownership and vendor negotiation.
• Excellent communication skills for interfacing with Quality, Engineering, Production, and external auditors.
• Comfortable working on the shop floor and adapting priorities in response to production needs.

Certifications & Other Requirements

• Six Sigma/Lean certification a plus.

Citizenship Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident (green card holder), or protected individual as defined by 8 U