Tooling Engineer/Project Manager | Injection Molding

Michael Page; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Time Off

Job summary

MPI is seeking a Tool Engineer / Project Manager for a U.S.-based plastics manufacturer. The role combines injection mold engineering with end-to-end project management for new and existing customer programs, serving as the primary technical liaison between customers, suppliers, and internal teams.

You will oversee mold design, tooling procurement, APQP activities, engineering changes and production launches, ensuring programs are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 6+ years in tooling engineering, mold making, or mold design in plastics injection molding; or 3+ years with relevant degree.
• Strong knowledge of injection mold design, mold construction, materials, and molding processes.
• Experience using 3D CAD software; SolidWorks preferred.
• Hands-on experience with Mold Flow Analysis (MFA).
• Proven ability to manage technical projects from concept through production launch.
• Familiarity with formal project management methodologies; PMP or equivalent preferred.
• Strong collaboration with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate manufacturability concerns, tooling risks, cost-reduction opportunities, and lead time improvements.
• Review and approve injection mold designs to meet specifications and standards.
• Lead project review meetings and oversee project deliverables and milestones.
• Collaborate with tooling suppliers from concept through production release.
• Coordinate with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and admin teams for program launches.
• Serve as primary point of contact for customers and suppliers to ensure deadlines and quality targets.

Skills

Mold design

Project management

3D CAD (SolidWorks)

Mold Flow Analysis

Budgeting & cost control

Cross-functional collaboration

Quality & continuous improvement

PM certification (PMP)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Plastics/Polymer/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Mold Flow Analysis (MFA)

Job description

This Tool Engineer / Project Manager role combines injection mold engineering expertise with end-to-end project management responsibility for new and existing customer programs. The position serves as the primary technical liaison between customers, suppliers, and internal teams, overseeing mold design, procurement, qualification, APQP activities, engineering changes, and project execution to ensure programs are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality requirements.

Client Details

Our client is a privately held U.S.-based manufacturer specializes in custom injection molding and full-service contract manufacturing for OEM customers across a wide range of industries, including medical devices, industrial equipment, automotive components, electronics, and automation systems. The company is known for its engineering expertise, ISO 9001-certified quality standards, comprehensive production capabilities-from design and tooling through molding, assembly, finishing, and testing-and its commitment to delivering complex manufacturing solutions that improve customer efficiency, quality, and speed to market.

Description

• Evaluate customer products and part designs to identify manufacturability concerns, tooling risks, cost-reduction opportunities, and methods to improve quality and shorten lead times.
• Review and approve injection mold designs to ensure compliance with customer requirements, engineering specifications, and internal design standards.
• Schedule, facilitate, and lead project review meetings while maintaining overall oversight of project activities, deliverables, and milestones.
• Collaborate with tooling suppliers to manage the design, development, modification, and approval of injection molds, from concept through production release.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and administrative teams to support operational objectives and successful program launches.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers and suppliers, ensuring project deadlines, quality expectations, and performance objectives are consistently achieved.
• Utilize ERP, APQP, and project management systems to communicate project status, track progress, and maintain detailed project schedules and timelines.
• Develop customer quotations, cost analyses, tooling budgets, and subcontractor estimates for new tooling programs and tooling transfers.
• Manage project financial performance, including budget tracking, cost control, forecasting, and profitability analysis.
• Monitor and control project scope changes, ensuring schedule impacts, costs, and risks are appropriately documented, communicated, and resolved.
• Proactively identify project risks and issues, develop mitigation plans, resolve competing priorities, and elevate concerns when necessary.
• Coordinate all aspects of engineering changes and customer-driven modifications, including impacts to cost, quality, timing, and delivery commitments.
• Create and maintain project documentation, order entry records, and electronic project files throughout the program lifecycle.
• Ensure successful completion of tooling programs, including mold qualifications, tryouts, validation activities, and first article inspections.
• Coordinate procurement activities, supplier engagements, raw material requirements, and outside services to support project schedules and delivery commitments.
• Support additional engineering, project management, and continuous improvement initiatives as required.

Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline; equivalent experience in mold making, mold design, or tooling engineering may be considered.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold making, or mold design within the plastics injection molding industry; alternatively, a relevant engineering degree and 3+ years of applicable experience.
• Strong knowledge of injection mold design, mold construction, thermoplastic and engineered resin materials, injection molding equipment, and molding processes.
• Experience using 3D CAD software for product and tooling design, with SolidWorks experience preferred.
• Hands-on experience performing and interpreting Mold Flow Analysis (MFA) to support tooling and process development.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical projects from concept through production launch, including schedule, budget, and risk management responsibilities.
• Familiarity with formal project management methodologies and project management software preferred.
• Project Management certification (PMP or equivalent) preferred.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional internal teams.
• Strong understanding of quality principles, continuous improvement methodologies, and manufacturing best practices.
• Commitment to delivering high-quality products, minimizing waste and production defects, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and drive projects to successful completion with minimal supervision.

Job Offer

• Salary up to roughly $120k depending on experience
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• And More!

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.