Modular Tooling Platform Designer

gpac; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

GPAC is seeking a Modular Tooling Platform Designer to architect and advance a next‑generation modular tooling platform for HDPE multipack handles. You will develop scalable, reusable tooling ecosystems and drive platform standards across molding operations.

The role requires 5+ years in plastic injection mold design, strong SolidWorks proficiency, and ability to collaborate across Product Development and Manufacturing Engineering to enable faster product launches.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years of plastic injection mold design experience in high-volume or consumer packaging environments.
• Experience with modular tooling, standardized systems, or reusable tooling strategies beyond mold design.
• Advanced SolidWorks proficiency, including complex assemblies and system-level design.
• Strong understanding of injection molding processes, particularly HDPE material and high-volume production requirements.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Owns and drives PakTech's platform-based tooling strategy aligned with long-term product and manufacturing goals.
• Designs and develops modular mold architectures that enable scalability, repeatability, and rapid deployment across product lines.
• Establishes and standardizes common mold base strategies, insert standardization, and interchangeable cavity systems to improve efficiency.
• Develops and executes tooling reuse strategies to maximize asset utilization and minimize redundant capital investment.
• Designs and optimizes injection molds for HDPE multipack handles within the modular tooling platform, including full mold layouts.
• Creates 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings in SolidWorks with a focus on system-level design and manufacturability.

Skills

Modular tooling design

SolidWorks

Mold design

DFM / tolerance analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

PRIMARY PURPOSE The Modular Tooling Platform Designer is responsible for architecting and advancing PakTech's next-generation modular tooling platform. This position develops a scalable, standardized, and reusable tooling ecosystem for injection-molded HDPE multipack handles and components. The role establishes and drives platform-based tooling strategies, modular mold architecture, and a high-efficiency asset utilization mindset across all tooling initiatives.The Designer focuses on system-level solutions by implementing common mold base strategies, insert standardization, interchangeable cavity systems, and tooling reuse methodologies. While still responsible for mold design execution, this role prioritizes building a cohesive tooling platform that enables faster product launches, reduced capital investment, and flexible, high-volume manufacturing.

• ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Owns and drives PakTech's platform-based tooling strategy aligned with long-term product and manufacturing goals.
• Designs and develops modular mold architectures that enable scalability, repeatability, and rapid deployment across product lines.
• Establishes and standardizes common mold base strategies, insert standardization, and interchangeable cavity systems to improve efficiency and flexibility.
• Develops and executes tooling reuse strategies to maximize asset utilization and minimize redundant capital investment.
• Designs and optimizes injection molds for HDPE multipack handles within the modular tooling platform, including full mold layouts (gating, cooling, venting, ejection).
• Creates 3D models, assemblies, and detailed drawings in SolidWorks with a focus on system-level design and manufacturability.
• Collaborates with Product Development, Manufacturing Engineering, and tooling vendors to ensure alignment with platform standards through design, build, and validation.
• Drives continuous improvement through DFM, tolerance analysis, and root-cause problem solving, focusing on scalable, system-level solutions.
• OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Manages special projects assigned by the Industrial Design
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• JOB/BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES—systems-thinking mindset with the ability to design scalable, standardized solutions.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• High attention to detail with a focus on consistency and repeatability.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Collaborative mindset with cross-functional teams.

• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Tool Design, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of experience in plastic injection mold design, preferably in high-volume or consumer packaging environments.
• Demonstrated experience beyond mold design, including work with modular tooling, standardized systems, or reusable tooling strategies.
• Advanced SolidWorks proficiency, including complex assemblies and system-level design.
• Strong understanding of injection molding processes, particularly HDPE materials and high-volume production requirements.
• Experience with DFM, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and mold construction fundamentals.Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across engineering, tooling, and production teams.

• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience developing or scaling modular tooling platforms in a production environment.
• Experience with high-cavitation, high-throughput molding systems.
• Familiarity with hot runner systems, valve gates, and advanced cooling strategies.
• Experience with mold flow simulation tools (Moldflow, Moldex3D).
• Demonstrated success driving tooling standardization across an organization.
• Understanding of sustainable materials, including recycled HDPE.
• Background in consumer packaging, beverage systems, or similar high-volume industries.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, age, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable laws or regulations.

GPAC (Growing People and Companies) is an award-winning search firm specializing in placing quality professionals within multiple industries across the United States since 1990. We are extremely competitive, client-focused and realize that our value is in our ability to deliver the right solutions at the right time.