Tooling Manager

Sterling Engineering; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Engineering in Bolingbrook, IL seeks an experienced Tooling Manager to lead Tooling Engineering and Toolroom in a highly technical manufacturing environment. You will guide mold tooling design, development, maintenance, and continuous improvement while managing a team of engineers and technicians.

This hands-on role requires strong mold tooling, 3D design, and problem‑solving skills. You will drive DFM, tooling documentation, preventive maintenance, cost reduction and KPI tracking,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Plastics, Materials Engineering, or equivalent hands‑on tooling experience.
• Experience managing Tooling Engineering and Toolroom operations.
• Strong knowledge of mold design, tooling development, maintenance and repair.
• Experience using 3D CAD/drafting software.
• Proven leadership and mentoring of engineers and technical staff.
• Ability to manage multiple tooling and engineering projects simultaneously.
• Strong cross‑functional communication and project leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead Tooling Engineering and Toolroom teams, including hiring, training and development.
• Manage tooling projects supporting mold design, equipment, automation, and NPD.
• Lead tooling development, improvements, repairs, preventive maintenance, and emergency tooling.
• Ensure molds and tooling are designed for manufacturability, performance and reliability.
• Partner with NPD and Engineering on DFM and new product launches.
• Maintain tooling documentation, 3D models, drawings, specs and revision control.
• Develop and manage a visual preventive‑maintenance scheduling system.
• Prioritize tooling maintenance and repair based on production needs.
• Work with outside tooling vendors on repairs and outsourcing projects.
• Drive tooling‑related cost reduction, quality improvement and mistake‑proofing.
• Lead root cause analysis, Gage R&R, A/B testing and statistical analysis.
• Establish and track department and project KPIs.
• Manage scope, schedule, cost, risk, resources and change management.
• Support equipment selection, capital expenditures and installation.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Engineering and leadership.
• Develop high‑potential employees and build technical capabilities within tooling.

Skills

Mold tooling

Tooling engineering

Leadership & mentoring

Root cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing problem-solving

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Industrial/Materials Eng

Tools

CAD software (3D CAD)

Job description

Our client is seeking an experienced Tooling Manager to lead its Tooling Engineering and Toolroom functions in a highly technical manufacturing environment. This role will oversee tooling design, development, maintenance, repair, and continuous improvement while leading a team of engineers and technical staff.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience with mold tooling, tooling engineering, toolroom leadership, 3D design, and manufacturing problem-solving. This position will play a key role in advancing molding processes and improving safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on tooling leader who can combine technical mold/tooling expertise with team leadership and continuous improvement to help advance a growing manufacturing operation.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the Tooling Engineering and Toolroom teams, including hiring, training, mentoring, performance management, and employee development.
• Manage tooling projects supporting mold design, manufacturing equipment, automation, and new product development.
• Lead new tooling development, tooling improvements, repairs, preventive maintenance, and emergency tooling support.
• Ensure molds and tooling are designed for manufacturability, performance, reliability, and long‑term production use.
• Partner with NPD and Engineering teams on design for manufacturability (DFM) and new product launches.
• Maintain tooling documentation, including 3D models, assemblies, drawings, specifications, and revision control.
• Develop and manage a visual tooling preventive‑maintenance scheduling and tracking system.
• Prioritize tooling maintenance and repair activities based on production requirements.
• Work with outside tooling vendors on repairs, modifications, and outsourced projects.
• Lead tooling‑related cost reduction, quality improvement, and mistake‑proofing initiatives.
• Drive structured problem solving using root cause analysis, Gage R&R, A/B testing, and statistical analysis.
• Establish and track department and project KPIs.
• Manage projects involving scope, schedule, cost, risk, resources, and change management.
• Support equipment selection, capital expenditures, and installation of new manufacturing equipment.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and leadership.
• Develop high‑potential employees and build technical capabilities within the tooling organization.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical, Plastics, Polymer Processing, Materials Engineering, or equivalent hands‑on experience in tooling and mold development.
• Previous experience managing Tooling Engineering and/or Toolroom operations.
• Strong knowledge of mold design, tooling development, maintenance, and repair.
• Experience using 3D CAD/drafting software.
• Strong manufacturing troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing engineers and technical employees.
• Ability to manage multiple tooling and engineering projects simultaneously.
• Strong cross‑functional communication and project leadership skills.

Preferred Experience

• Tooling engineering, design, procurement, and vendor management.
• Six Sigma, Red X, or similar structured problem‑solving methodology.
• Simulation software and understanding of material flow, cure characteristics, and molding‑process simulation.
• Experience with reaction injection molding (RIM), APG, silicone molding, and/or epoxy molding.
• Experience driving tooling improvements in a high‑volume or technically complex manufacturing environment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.