Tooling Engineer Sr

Purpose Statement: Tooling engineering is a critical Plexus function that is required to achieve the corporation’s goal of Customer Service Excellence both internal & external. To achieve this, the Senior Tooling Engineer plays a significant role; specifically in managing the supplier development, build and qualification of customer owned tooling. In addition, the Senior Tooling Engineer works cross-functionally with business development, supply chain and design engineering to provide the technical expertise necessary, but not limited to winning new business, supplier solution evaluations or early DFM requirements.Key Job Accountabilities:- Tool Strategy Development: Using a comprehensive understanding of the customer’s product requirements, the senior tooling engineer works with the project lead and other team members to ensure they provide support to develop and optimize the manufacturing strategy while taking into account the following requirements:- Preferred Supplier Engagement- Contractual Terms- Support the quoting process by helping to evaluate the cost of tools, parts and the tooling engineer’s labor required to support the project.- Supplier Capability- Tool Type and Classification Recommendations- Tool Cost Review- Tool lifecycle and overall quality related to the tooling and part output.- Tooling Strategy Execution - Execute all aspects of tooling strategy that supports Plexus Engineering and Manufacturing Solutions which includes the following responsibilities:- Design for Manufacturing (DFM)- Tool design oversight and approval- Project management and comprehensive communications on progress and status.- Tool Qualification- Customer Service Excellence - After reviewing the project, the Senior Tooling Engineer will have the knowledge and experience to review the product requirements and identify all tooling requirements and provide tooling solutions across all facets of Plexus' Value Chain to the satisfaction of our customers. More specifically, this will include solutions for all external and potentially internal manufacturing processes that include, but not limited to casting, metal fabrication and stamping, injection, compression, reaction, structural and multi-shot molding, PCB, over-molding etc.- Supplier Project Management - Manage tooling suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of tools and parts. Ensure all aspects of the tool creation process; including the design, construction, trials, qualification plans, maintenance plans, and final parts all meet specifications before final approval and qualification of the tools.- Productivity - Contribute to materials margin by continuous improvement of yields and cycle time to reduce manufacturing costs.Additional Accountabilities:- Work closely with the Supply Chain Solutions, Supply Chain Productivity Manager, Engineering Solutions Managers and/or Regional Supply Chain Team to ensure Customer Tooling Pricing meets customer expectations.- Provide input to the CEC Commodity Council based on personal knowledge and experience regarding preferred tooling manufacturers and service providers.- Regarded as a technical specialist, mentor and reliable leader within Plexus and the tool engineering organization.- Responsible for providing technical & administrative guidance to less experienced tool engineers.- Collaborate closely with Commodity Managers on all aspects of supplier interface and especially on the critical interface between tooling and manufacturing strategies.- Utilize personal expertise and experience to provide comprehensive tool strategies. Must demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate these strategies and influence internal and external customers to pursue our preferred solutions.- Problem solving -anticipate and resolve tooling issues that place on-time delivery of prototypes, production launch or sustaining production at risk.- Within the program, serves as the tooling Subject Matter Expert through understanding and interpreting both internal and external customer tooling requirements.- Provide localization and transition project support by managing all of the tooling aspects of tool transfers and re-qualifications.- Tracks and logs project work hours’ weekly utilizing company provided tools.- Occasional travel may be required to meet the needs of the business (estimated 20-30%).- Additional duties as assigned.Education/Experience Qualifications:- A minimum of a(n) completed 4 year toolmaker apprenticeship in a technical and manufacturing environment with training on injection mold set-ups, process development and optimization, or a Scientific Injection Molding education from a known and accredited institution is required; a (n) bachelor's degree or Associate degree in mechanical/manufacturing engineering or a vocational education in mechanical manufacturing related engineering is preferred.- A minimum of Five (5) years’ work experience, post education or apprenticeship, with su