Tooling Engineer-1

Flex; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Flex in Libertyville, IL is seeking a Tooling Engineer to design and engineer tooling for molds, jigs and fixtures that meet product specifications.

The role provides leadership in design for manufacturability, tooling validation, and collaboration with toolmakers and suppliers to optimize durability, cycle time and quality. A strong background in injection molding and multi-cavity tooling is essential.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in thermoplastics and injection molding tool design.
• Experience with multi-cavity molds, hot runner and valve gate systems.
• Ability to read complex CAD models and tooling assemblies.
• Experience with external toolmakers and global suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and engineering of complex injection molds to meet product and process requirements.
• Review and approve mold designs for multi-cavity tools including hot runner and valve gate systems.
• Own Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Tooling reviews with internal teams and toolmakers.
• Evaluate and approve mold flow analysis results and recommend design changes based on simulation and processing needs.
• Define tooling specifications including steel selection, cooling strategy, gating, venting, ejection, and wear components.
• Support mold trials, sampling and validation activities; analyze results and drive corrective actions.

Skills

Tooling design

Mold flow analysis

Troubleshooting tooling

DFM/DTO integration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Tools

CAD software

Mold flow simulation

Job description

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

To support our extraordinary teams who build great products and contribute to our growth, we’re looking to add a Tooling Engineer located in Libertyville, IL.

Reporting to the Sr. Process Engineering Manager, the potential candidate would be responsible for designing and engineering tooling protocols for molds, jigs and fixtures as required to meet products specifications.

What a typical day looks like:

• Prepare and maintain documentation related to tool room equipment. Lead design and engineering of complex injection molds to meet product and process requirements.
• Review and approve mold designs for multi-cavity, tight-tolerance tools including hot runner and valve gate systems.
• Own Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Tooling reviews with internal teams and toolmakers.
• Evaluate and approve mold flow analysis results and recommend design changes based on simulation and processing needs.
• Define tooling specifications including steel selection, cooling strategy, gating, venting, ejection, and wear components.
• Serve as technical lead with tool vendors from concept through design, build, FAT, and tool qualification.
• Support mold trials, sampling and validation activities; analyze results and drive corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot complex tooling and part quality issues (flash, sticking, warp, cosmetic defects, dimensional variation).
• Implement cost-effective tooling improvements to increase robustness, cycle time performance, and tool life.
• Review and interpret tool design files and clearly communicate design intent to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Establish tooling standards, best practices, and preventive maintenance recommendations.
• Support process control strategy development in partnership with process engineering.
• Provide regular tooling status updates and technical risk assessments to program and engineering leadership.
• Maintain tooling documentation including design records, change history, qualification reports, and maintenance plans.

The experience we’re looking to add to our team:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent experience and training for 8+ years of related experience in thermoplastics, thermosets, injection molding (e.g. product design, validation of tools), mold flows, troubleshooting and resolving tooling issues, strong familiarity with molding processes.
• Demonstrated capability troubleshooting tooling-related defects and performance issues.
• Experience working directly with external toolmakers and global suppliers.
• Ability to read and interpret complex CAD models and tooling assemblies.
• Strong understanding of injection molding processes and their interaction with tool design.
• Experience with multi-cavity mold design and validation, Engineering plastics including PC/ABS, Acetal (POM), and similar resins, Hot runner and valve gate systems, Tight tolerance and cosmetic parts

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).