Tooling Engineering Manager

Job DetailsJob Location: fitchburg, MA 01420Salary Range: $110,000.00 - $145,000.00 Salary/yearMicron Solutions is a multifaceted contract manufacturing organization specializing in thermoplastic injection molding, precision machining and finishing, and silver-plated medical sensors for disposable electrodes. We partner with companies of all sizes to deliver manufacturing and assembly solutions that support their success. Our 120,000-square-foot facility in Fitchburg, MA supports projects from concept through commercialization. What We Offer: Competitive salary  Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, 401(k), and paid time off Work Environment: Positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally. The Tooling Engineering Manager is responsible for the strategic leadership, technical oversight, and operational management of all tooling engineering, mold construction, mold maintenance, and tool room activities. This position serves as the technical owner of all injection molding tooling assets throughout their lifecycle and leads the Tool Room and Mold Making team in supporting new product development, production operations, continuous improvement initiatives, and business growth. The Tooling Engineering Manager partners cross-functionally with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Product Development to ensure tooling systems support safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost objectives. The role is accountable for tooling performance, supplier management, capital planning, preventive maintenance programs, and successful launch of new molds and tooling systems. Essential Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Tool Room personnel, Mold Makers, and tooling support staff. Establish departmental goals, priorities, staffing plans, and performance expectations. Manage employee performance through coaching, performance evaluations, development planning, and succession planning. Participate in recruiting, hiring, onboarding, and training initiatives. Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement. Ensure compliance with company policies, safety procedures, PPE requirements, and housekeeping standards. Tooling Engineering & Asset Management Own tooling strategy and lifecycle management for all tooling assets. Develop and maintain tooling standards, specifications, maintenance procedures, and engineering documentation. Establish and oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize tooling performance and asset life. Monitor tooling performance metrics and implement corrective actions to improve uptime, reliability, quality, and productivity. Lead root cause investigations of tooling-related quality and production issues. Identify and implement tooling improvements that reduce cost, improve efficiency, and enhance product quality. Maintain tooling inventory, asset tracking records, spare-part requirements, and lifecycle plans. New Tool Development & Supplier Management Lead tooling activities associated with new product introductions, capacity expansions, transfers, and product launches. Participate in Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews, mold design reviews, and manufacturing feasibility assessments. Provide tooling and manufacturing expertise during product quotations and capital planning activities. Select, qualify, and manage mold manufacturers, tooling suppliers, and external service providers. Manage tooling project timelines, costs, risk mitigation plans, engineering changes, and supplier performance. Ensure timely qualification and successful production release of new tooling systems. Tool Room & Mold Operations Direct tool room operations including mold construction, repair, modification, maintenance, and troubleshooting activities. Establish priorities and schedules to support production and project requirements. Oversee fabrication, assembly, fitting, testing, qualification, and repair of molds and tooling. Provide technical guidance regarding machining methods, tolerances, tooling design, and manufacturing processes. Ensure accurate documentation of maintenance activities, tooling history, and work orders within ERP/MRP systems. Support hands-on troubleshooting and technical problem resolution as required. Production Support & Continuous Improvement Provide tooling expertise to support injection molding operations and manufacturing performance. Collaborate with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to resolve manufacturing issues. Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), scrap reduction, cycle time optimization, yield improvement, and tooling reliability. Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives within the tooling organization. Standardize tooling and maintenance practices to improve consistency and operational efficiency. Develop training programs, best practices, and knowledge-sharing processes. Financial & Business Management Develop, manage, and monitor tooling department operating and capital budgets. Prepare financial analyses and business cases for tooling investments and capital expenditures. Track tooling project costs, supplier spending, and departmental expenditures. Identify and implement cost-reduction initiatives while maintaining quality, reliability, and delivery performance. Quality, Regulatory & Compliance Ensure compliance with ISO 13485, customer-specific requirements, and applicable regulatory standards. Support process validation, equipment qualification, customer audits, and regulatory inspections. Participate in CAPA investigations and implementation of corrective and preventive actions. Ensure tooling records, documentation, and engineering changes are properly controlled and maintained. Promote compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements. QualificationsEducation Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Tool Design, or related technical discipline preferred. Tool & Die, Mold Making, Machining, or related technical certification preferred. Equivalent combination of education, technical training, and relevant experience will be considered. Experience 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in injection molding, tooling engineering, mold making, tool and die, or precision manufacturing environments. Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience managing technical, tooling, maintenance, or manufacturing teams. Experience managing mold suppliers, tooling vendors, and external service providers. Demonstrated experience leading mold builds, repairs, qualifications, validations, and new product launches. Experience within medical device, life sciences, or other regulated manufacturing environments preferred. Technical Knowledge Expert knowledge of injection mold design, maintenance, repair, optimization, and troubleshooting. Strong understanding of plastic injection molding processes, tooling systems, and manufacturing technologies. Working knowledge of CNC machining, EDM, milling, turning, grinding, and precision manufacturing techniques. Knowledge of mold flow analysis, DFM principles, GD&T, blueprint interpretation, validation processes, and statistical problem-solving methodologies. Understanding of tooling materials, heat treatment processes, and precision machining practices. Experience utilizing ERP/MRP and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). Proficiency with CAD software, including SolidWorks, preferred. Competencies Leadership and talent development Strategic and operational planning Project and supplier management Financial and budget management Root cause analysis and problem solving Continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing Cross-functional collaboration Effective communication and influence Organization and prioritization Customer-focused decision making  Please note: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship requirements. PM21