Principal Tooling Engineer

haier; Concord (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

GE Appliances, a Haier company, is seeking a Principal Tooling Engineer to join the Metal Stamping AME team in Louisville, KY. You will lead tooling projects from concept through installation, partner with plant operations, and drive continuous improvement to optimize OEE and reduce product costs.

The role emphasizes defining standards, supplier engagement, and mentoring engineers while supporting NPI and BoP initiatives in a manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field, or equivalent hands‑on experience or tool & die apprenticeship
• 7+ years of tooling procurement and die design experience
• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks, Creo or equivalent)

Responsibilities

• Lead tooling and equipment procurement projects from specification development through installation and qualification, ensuring alignment with GE Appliances standards
• Drive supplier selection, early supplier engagement, technical reviews, and factory layout development
• Own critical project metrics including capital budgets, schedules, quality, reliability, and labor targets
• Mentor and develop junior engineers while contributing to AME knowledge sharing, training, and process improvement
• Partner with design teams to ensure DFMA is incorporated into part and tooling design
• Support NPI programs and product line initiatives to improve productivity and drive product cost reduction

Skills

3D CAD

Tooling procurement experience

NPI program experience

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related discipline

Certified tool & die apprenticeship program (graduate)

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Creo

Job description

At GE Appliances, a Haier company, we come together to make “good things, for life.”As the fastest-growing appliance company in the U.S., we’re powered by creators, thinkers and makers who believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a better way.We believe in the power of our people and in giving them the freedom to explore, discover and build good things, together.

The GE Appliances philosophy, backed by three simple commitments defines the way we work, invent, create, do business, and serve our communities:we come together,we always look for a better way,we create possibilities.

Interested in joining us on our journey?

GE Appliances is seeking a Principal Tooling Engineer to join our Metal Stamping Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) team. In this highly visible role, you’ll help define and uphold company-wide engineering standards for metal stamping tooling and equipment while leading complex tooling initiatives that directly impact product cost, quality, and factory performance. As a technical leader, you’ll own tooling projects from concept through installation and qualification, supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) programs and product line improvements. You’ll partner closely with plant operations, manufacturing, and cross-functional engineering teams to ensure tooling solutions are safe, robust, cost-effective, and optimized for Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). This role offers the opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy, mentor developing engineers, and drive continuous improvement across GE Appliances’ stamping operations.

Position

Principal Tooling Engineer

Location

USA, Louisville, KY

How You'll Create Possibilities

• Lead tooling and equipment procurement projects from specification development through installation and qualification, ensuring alignment with GE Appliances standards

• Drive supplier selection, early supplier engagement, technical reviews, and factory layout development

• Ensure tooling and equipment are reliable, right-sized, cost-effective, and designed to maximize OEE

• Serve as a key liaison between project teams and plant operations, ensuring plant priorities and value-stream considerations are fully integrated

• Own critical project metrics including capital budgets, schedules, quality, reliability, and labor targets

• Perform trade-off analyses and guide data-driven decisions based on overall business impact

• Support NPI programs and product line initiatives to improve productivity and drive product cost reduction

• Lead and facilitate Production Preparation Process (3P) activities, ensuring tooling, equipment, and processes support the full value stream

• Apply Lean Manufacturing principles including single-piece flow, standard work, material presentation, and ergonomic workstation design

• Ensure all tooling and equipment comply with industry and governmental Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) standards

• Apply Human Organizational Performance (HOP) principles to prioritize operator safety in all designs

• Collaborate with functional leaders to support Bill of Process (BoP), TPM, Lean Manufacturing, and ergonomic initiatives

• Mentor and develop junior engineers while contributing to AME knowledge sharing, training, and process improvement

• Partner with design teams to ensure Design for Manufacturing & Assembly (DFMA) is incorporated into part and tooling design

• Support development of Manufacturing Control Plans (MCP) and Manufacturing Control Instructions (MCI)

What You'll Bring to Our Team

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related discipline OR equivalent hands‑on experience in technical/manufacturing disciplines OR graduate of a certified tool & die apprenticeship program

• 7+ years of experience with tooling procurement as well as tool & die design concepts, die components and applications

• Proficient in 3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks, Creo or equivalent)

Preferred:

• Experience managing tooling & equipment procurement projects: Including specification development, supplier selection, technical reviews, installation and qualification of tooling / equipment.

• Experience with specification, design, and installation of tool and die equipment in a large-scale manufacturing environment, die change systems, and associated processes.

• Prior NPI program experience

Working Environment:

• Working environment will be both an office and manufacturing environment.

• Hours & Weekends: Working off-shift and weekends will be required.

Travel

• 20% travel may be required during peak project times for domestic and/or international travel to supplier sites/ plants, etc.

Our Culture

Our work is centered on our People and Culture as reflected in our Zero Distance philosophy and we recognize the importance of reaffirming our commitment to inclusion and diversity (I&D). This underscores our commitment to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, connected, and empowered to contribute, while positioning our organization to adapt seamlessly to the evolving needs of our workforce and communities.

This reflects our dedication to creating solutions that: Empower colleagues by fostering an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Strengthen communities where we live and work. Reinforce a culture of belonging, purpose, and engagement. Reflect the diversity of the communities we serve through our workforce, products, and practices.

By further embedding Zero Distance into our People and Culture framework, we will continue to build a deeply connected organization. We are cultivating a culture of engagement, belonging, and connection, because while attracting new talent remains a priority, retention is a cornerstone of our strategy.

GE Appliances is a trust-based organization. It is important we offer our employees the flexibility they need to do their best work while balancing the needs of the business and individuals. When you join GE Appliances, you will have the opportunity to work with your leader to create a flexible work arrangement that balances the needs of the individual, team, and organization.

GE Appliances is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

GE Appliances participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S

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