Tooling Engineer

flex; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 104,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing partner is seeking a Tooling Engineer / Program Manager in Buffalo Grove, IL. This role involves designing tooling protocols for injection molds and requires strong communication and engineering skills. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in mold design and a background in mechanical engineering, contributing to innovative product development.

Benefits

Full range of medical, dental, and vision plans

Life Insurance

Short-term and Long-term Disability

Matching 401(k) Contributions

Vacation and Paid Sick Time

Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• 5 years industry work experience in mold-building, medical device manufacturing, or contract manufacturing.
• Ability to manage multiple mold design/build programs simultaneously.
• Understanding of tooling costs.

Responsibilities

• Lead execution of customer requirements to deliver projected value.
• Develop and maintain business relationships to maximize customer satisfaction.
• Collaborate with team members toward mold qualification and final part approval.

Skills

Thermoplastics

Medical Tooling

Multi-Cavity

Hot Runners

Plastic injection molding design understanding

Strong Excel proficiency

Excellent communication skills

Education

BS Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MS Project

CAD tools

Job description

Job Posting Start Date 05-23-2025 Job Posting End Date 07-24-2025

Flex is the diversified manufacturing partner of choice that helps market-leading brands design, build and deliver innovative products that improve the world. A career at Flex offers the opportunity to make a difference and invest in your growth in a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative environment. If you are excited about a role but don't meet every bullet point, we encourage you to apply and join us to create the extraordinary. Job Summary PLEASE NOTE: INTERNAL JOB TITLE OF THIS POSITION IS “PROGRAM MANAGER” The Tooling Engineer / Program Manager will be based in Buffalo Grove, IL. In this role you will be responsible for working with Mold Designers and Mold Makers toward designing and engineering tooling protocols for injection molds, jigs and fixtures as required in order to meet products specifications. Add value to injection mold projects through quoting and mold design input, mold construction assistance, debugging, process development, and qualification. Here is a glimpse of what you’ll do:

• Lead the execution of the customer requirements, and through that deliver the projected value to Flex and its customers, using tools and initiatives of the company, to maintain business relationships and maximize customer satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain business relationships. Maximize customer satisfaction through periodic reviews to communicate deliveries, open commitments or overall progress of programs.
• Work with Flex Buffalo Grove and other Flex tooling sites to help support tooling programs and problem solving.
• Attend customer meetings with site Program Managers and/or Business Development personnel to provide strong mold engineering support via virtual meetings or on site.
• Participate in development programs with part and mold design reviews as they relate to Design for Manufacture (DFM)/ Design for Assembly (DFA) and mold configuration.
• Solicit quotes from specialized tooling vendors and auxiliary component suppliers.
• Assist in tooling cost estimates in support of assigned RFQ's.
• Provide tooling construction timelines using MS Project, Excel, or other formats with input from Master Scheduler.
• Meet customer expectations/requirements in the areas of mold design, cavitation, prototyping and Moldflow analysis.
• Collaborate with other team members toward mold qualification, sampling and final part approval.
• Assist with any troubleshooting of accounts receivables (AR).
• Travel to Customer sites, Flex manufacturing and tooling sites, and 3rd party suppliers.

Here is some of what you’ll need (required): 5 years industry work experience below, from any of these types of companies: mold-building companies, medical device manufacturers, and/or contract manufacturers:

• Thermoplastics
• Medical Tooling (not Prototyping)
• Multi-Cavity (e.g. 32, 64)
• Hot Runners
• Plastic injection molding design understanding and comprehension
• Ability to manage multiple mold design/build programs simultaneously
• Understanding of Tooling costs
• Strong Excel proficiency
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.

Here are a few of our preferred/optional experience, etc.:

• BS Mechanical Engineering
• Mold processing experience
• MS Project or other Program Management tools
• CAD tools

What you'll receive for the great work you provide:

• Full range of medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life Insurance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• Matching 401(k) Contributions
• Vacation and Paid Sick Time
• Tuition Reimbursement

Pay Range (Applicable to Illinois) $104,400.00 USD - $143,600.00 USDAnnual Job CategoryOperations

Is Sponsorship Available?

No Flex is an Equal Opportunity Employer and employment selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate based on: age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, pregnancy status, or any other status protected by law. We're happy to provide reasonable accommodations to those with a disability for assistance in the application process. Please email [e-mail] and we'll discuss your specific situation and next steps (NOTE: this email does not accept or consider resumes or applications. This is only for disability assistance. To be considered for a position at Flex, you must complete the application process first).