Senior Toolroom & CNC Engineering Lead

Brace Able Manufacturing; Durban; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

You will have a strong background in automotive engineering, tooling design and project management, with extensive experience in welding processes and CNC machining. The role demands leadership, problem-solving and adherence to IATF 16949 standards.

Qualifications

• 10 years' experience in the automotive industry, especially in Engineering and Design.
• At least 5 years' experience managing Engineering Projects within the automotive industry.
• Extensive experience in Tool, Jig & Die Making and progression press tooling.
• Strong knowledge of tooling design, manufacture, maintenance, repair and refurbishment.
• Extensive exposure to CO₂ welding, resistance welding and spot welding.
• Experience in CNC machining and programming will be highly advantageous.
• Strong project management, problem-solving and technical leadership capabilities.
• Experience managing and developing technical teams.
• A strong understanding of quality systems and IATF 16949 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Toolroom and CNC machining function.
• Lead design reviews for stamping tools, jigs, fixtures and tooling.
• Oversee tooling projects from design and machining through assembly, trials and handover to Production.
• Manage CNC machines, programmers, tool designers and toolmaking personnel for capacity and utilization.
• Coordinate tooling breakdowns, with timely repairs and root-cause analysis.
• Oversee maintenance, refurbishment and engineering changes to tooling and fixtures.
• Collaborate in cross-functional teams to resolve quality, process and scrap issues.
• Maintain tooling drawings, CNC programs, maintenance records and modification histories.
• Conduct feasibility assessments for new work (tonnage, blank size, machine capability).
• Set tooling design specs, steel grades and manufacturing methods.
• Manage engineering projects (scope, deliverables, BOMs, budgets, CAPEX).
• Monitor budgets and ensure adherence to approved expenditure.
• Lead, coach and develop Toolroom, CNC, programming and technical staff.
• Ensure compliance with procedures, customer requirements and IATF 16949.
• Drive continuous improvement, productivity and cost-saving initiatives.
• Close audit findings within agreed timeframes.
• Provide timely management reporting and participate in meetings.

Skills

Tooling design

Project management

Quality systems

IATF 16949

CNC programming

Education

Trade Tested Tool, Jig & Die Maker

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Production/Project Management (advantageous)

Tools

CO₂ welding

Resistance welding

Spot welding

CNC machining

Job description

You will have a strong background in automotive engineering, tooling design and project management, with extensive experience in welding processes and CNC machining. The role demands leadership, problem-solving and adherence to IATF 16949 standards.