We are an engineering and manufacturing recruitment firm in search of a Tooling Engineer for a Bay Area client of ours. Our client is a pioneering automotive and technology company specializing in the design and manufacturing of luxury electric vehicles (EVs) and the development of advanced EV powertrain systems. With a strong focus on sustainability, performance, and cutting-edge innovation, the company operates at the forefront of automotive electrification and green mobility. Their engineering teams integrate the latest advancements in battery technology, lightweight materials, and intelligent manufacturing to deliver vehicles that redefine the driving experience. They are currently seeking a highly experienced Tooling Engineer to lead tooling design, development, and optimization in support of advanced EV manufacturing operations.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Design, develop, and validate tooling, jigs, fixtures, and dies used in the production of EV components, assemblies, and powertrain systems.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product design, manufacturing engineering, quality, and suppliers to ensure tooling meets performance, cost, and quality requirements.
- Utilize CAD/CAE tools such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and Creo/Pro-E to design tooling solutions for stamping, injection molding, die casting, machining, and assembly.
- Apply GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing) standards per ASME Y14.5 for tooling and fixture design.
- Support DFM (Design for Manufacturability) and DFA (Design for Assembly) reviews to improve manufacturability and reduce cycle times.
- Manage tooling projects from concept through production, including supplier sourcing, cost estimation, procurement, and validation.
- Lead tooling trials, prove-outs, and optimization activities to ensure performance and durability in high-volume EV production environments.
- Implement and support PPAP (Production Part Approval Process), APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning), and PFMEA activities.
- Partner with quality engineering to support root cause analysis, corrective actions (CAPA), and continuous improvement projects.
- Ensure tooling solutions comply with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and automotive OEM standards.
- Provide technical leadership for new product launches, automation integration, and advanced manufacturing processes.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field required.
- Master’s degree preferred.
Required Skills and Experience
- 7+ years of experience in tooling engineering, manufacturing engineering, or process engineering in automotive or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Strong proficiency in CAD/CAE software (CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Creo/Pro-E).
- Hands-on experience designing tooling for metal forming, die casting, machining, and composite or injection-molded components.
- In-depth understanding of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and precision tooling standards.
- Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, and root cause problem solving.
- Familiarity with IATF 16949, ISO 9001, and automotive quality systems.
- Strong project management skills with ability to manage multiple tooling programs simultaneously.
- Excellent technical communication skills, both written and verbal.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in electric vehicle, battery systems, or advanced powertrain manufacturing.
- Knowledge of automation systems, robotics integration, and Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing.
- Exposure to composite materials, lightweight structures, and additive manufacturing (3D printing) for tooling applications.
- Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) for tooling performance validation (ANSYS, Abaqus, HyperMesh).
- Experience with supplier development, vendor quality management, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Certifications such as Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, PMP (Project Management Professional), or CQE (Certified Quality Engineer).
