Principal Tooling Engineer

Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.; Newburg (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

GE Appliances, part of Haier, is seeking a Principal Tooling Engineer in Newburg, Kentucky. This role involves leading tooling initiatives, defining engineering standards, and coordinating with cross-functional teams. You will manage tooling projects, ensure compliance with safety standards, and mentor junior engineers, contributing to overall product quality and effectiveness.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and over 7 years of relevant experience, particularly in tooling procurement and design.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience with tooling procurement and tool & die design concepts.
• Preferred experience managing tooling & equipment procurement projects.
• Experience with specification, design, and installation of tool and die equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead tooling and equipment procurement projects ensuring alignment with standards.
• Perform trade-off analyses and guide data-driven decisions.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers while contributing to training.

Skills

3D CAD (NX, SolidWorks, Creo)

Tooling procurement

Die components and applications

Lean Manufacturing principles

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Principal Tooling Engineer

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.

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. You’ll own tooling projects from concept through installation and qualification, supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) programs and product line improvements, and 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).

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.
• 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).

Qualifications

• 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 & Logistics

• 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.

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. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail].