Sr. Tooling Engineer

Socket.dev; Hamptonville (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev in United States is seeking a hands-on Tooling Engineer to provide technical direction to tooling teams, guide tool design, and support operations to resolve manufacturing issues and drive continuous process improvements. The role emphasizes extensive experience with metal stamping, die design, and high-tonnage presses, plus problem-solving across APQP/DFMEA/PPAP and Lean Six Sigma initiatives.

Occasional extended hours may be required.

Qualifications

• 4 year technical degree (Tool and Die) or equivalent experience as a journeyman tool and die maker.
• 10 years minimum experience in metal stamping.
• Expertise in crash form, draw die, and progressive/transfer design and development.
• Hands-on troubleshooting of die tooling.
• Ability to critique die design for manufacturability and maintenance.
• Experience with high tonnage metal stamping presses (mechanical and hydraulic).
• Experience in Automotive Manufacturing environment (5+ years).
• Proficient with MS Office and CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement and Lean/Six Sigma initiatives affecting scrap and downtime.
• Establish tooling PM requirements and manage equipment purchases.
• Participate in tool design reviews and support product launches.
• Develop new tool designs and manage equipment process development.
• Support APQP, DFMEA, PPAP activities as required.
• Prioritize tooling improvements and repairs; support operations.

Skills

crash form

draw die

progressive die design

troubleshooting

process improvement

multi-tasking

CAD software

Education

Tool and Die degree or equivalent

Tools

MS Office

CAD software

Job description

Compensation: $99k+

Job Summary:

A “Hands-on” Engineer, to provide Technical direction to other tooling engineers and tool / die repair employees, Give Guidance to new tool designs, Support to Operations, to resolve Manufacturing Issues, reduce scrap, and to drive Continuous Process Improvements.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Continuous improvement driver. Improve profitability and efficiencies of Value Streams, through implementation of process improvements, affecting scrap, labor and downtime. Drive OEE improvement initiatives and cost savings through application of Lean and Six Sigma Manufacturing techniques such as 6S, SMED and Error-proofing.
• Establish Tooling PM requirements
• Participate in tool design reviews with project engineers and support product launches to ensure a smooth transition from design and launch phases into manufacturing.
• Responsible for equipment purchases as necessary including presenting justification for capital expenses on new equipment or process improvements, design and specification of equipment and standardization of equipment within manufacturing methods and safety requirements.
• Support project engineering in developing new tool designs and manage new equipment process development, timing, budget, setup, debug and training.
• Support APQP, DFMEA, PPAP activities as required.
• Prioritize tooling improvement and repairs.
• Serve as an active participant in LSS programs that promote continuous improvement.
• Must adhere to all company policies and safety rules.
• Must be able to work extended hours when required.
• All other duties as assigned

Education, Experience, Skills and Abilities Required for Consideration as a Candidate:

• 4 year technical degree (Tool and Die) or equivalent experience as a journeyman tool and die maker.
• 10 years minimum experience in metal stamping.
• Must possess exceptional skill sets in the following areas: crash form, draw die, and progressive / transfer design and development.
• Hands on roll in troubleshooting of various types of die tooling.
• Able to critique die design concepts for both production worthiness and ease of maintainability.
• Critique advanced product designs for manufacturability.
• Hands on roll in evaluating customer concerns and trouble-shooting.
• Strong Technical Experience with High Tonnage metal stamping presses (Mechanical and Hydraulic)
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in an Automotive Manufacturing environment requiring multi-tasking and the ability to prioritize.
• Well versed in MS Office and CAD software and applications.

Education, Experience, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

• Self-starting; highly motivated
• Inquisitive; inventive
• High technical aptitude
• Critical, analytical thinking
• Data driven and fact based decision making capabilities

I. Physical Requirements of this Position

How much on-the-job time is spent performing the following physical activities?

Physical Activity

Amount of Time

None

Less than 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

More than 2/3

Standing

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Walking

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Sitting

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Use hands to finger, handle, or feel

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Reach with hands and arms

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Climb or balance

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Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

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Talk or hear

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Taste or smell

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In an average workday, the employee primarily performs: (Check one)

☒ Sedentary Work: Lifting 10 lbs. Maximum and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as computers and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Repetitive motion of hand and finger movement to manually input data using a keyboard or to assemble parts may be required for up to eight hours a day. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

☐ Medium Work: Lifting 50 lbs. Maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of object weighing up to 25 lbs.

☐ Heavy Work: Lifting 100 lbs. Maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of object weighing up to 50 lbs.

Visual Acuity Requirements of this position including color, depth perception and field of vision (Check one)

☐ Close Vision: Clear vision at 20” or less.

☐ Distance Vision: Clear vision at 20’ or more.

☐ Peripheral Vision: Ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point.

☐ Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision, ability to judge distances and spatial relationships.

☐ Ability to Adjust Focus: Ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.

☒ No special vision requirements.

Select the level of noise that is typical in the work environment for this job: (Check one)

☐ Quiet conditions: (Examples: private office)

☐ Moderate noise: (Examples: business office with computer printers, light traffic, test and clean room environments)

☒ Loud noise: (Examples: normal manufacturing conditions, fork truck and maintenance departments)

☐ Very loud noise: (Examples: jack hammer work and areas that exceed 85dB)

II. Work Environment

How much exposure to the following environmental conditions does this job require?

Environmental Conditions

Amount of Time

None

Less than 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

More than 2/3

Wet or humid conditions (non-weather)

☒

Work near moving mechanical parts

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Work in high, precarious places

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Fumes or airborne particles

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Toxic or caustic chemicals

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Outdoor weather conditions

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Extreme cold (non-weather)

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Extreme heat (non-weather)

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Risk of electrical shock

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Work with explosives

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Risk of radiation

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Vibration

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Work/job-related travel including overnight

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