Leader, Tooling Programs
TPI Composites · Mexico
Position Objective:
Lead the Tooling Engineering team while serving as the primary technical expert for tooling design, modeling, analysis, and validation activities. This role combines hands-on engineering responsibilities with team leadership, requiring direct involvement in the design and development of molds, tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment for blade production. Responsible for driving complex tooling projects from concept through implementation while managing engineering resources, developing technical talent, and ensuring compliance with safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical Design & Engineering (Approximately 50%)
- Personally lead the design, modeling, and development of complex tooling, molds, fixtures, templates, and support equipment using CATIA, SolidWorks, and related engineering software.
- Create and review 3D CAD models, detailed drawings, manufacturing specifications, and engineering documentation.
- Perform advanced engineering calculations including stress, strain, tolerance stack-up, deflection, structural integrity, and finite element analyses (FEA).
- Conduct design reviews and ensure compliance with customer specifications, company engineering standards, manufacturing requirements, and safety regulations.
- Lead DFMEA activities and design validation efforts for new tooling and equipment.
- Develop process flows, validation plans, tooling acceptance criteria, and production readiness requirements.
- Review customer blade designs and define tooling requirements, manufacturing strategies, and project scope.
- Evaluate and approve engineering changes, BOM revisions, ECNs, and drawing releases.
- Investigate tooling failures and develop corrective design improvements using root cause analysis methodologies.
- Maintain technical know-how in composite manufacturing, blade tooling technologies, automation, and emerging engineering practices.
Project & Supplier Management (Approximately 30%)
- Manage tooling projects from concept through validation and production release.
- Coordinate activities with Production, Engineering, Quality, EHS, Supply Chain, and external suppliers.
- Monitor tooling costs, schedules, risks, and technical deliverables.
- Support quotation activities through conceptual designs, technical specifications, and cost estimates.
- Evaluate supplier capabilities and provide technical oversight during tooling fabrication and validation.
- Support customer meetings, technical reviews, and project milestone presentations.
Leadership & Team Management (Approximately 20%)
- Provide day-to-day leadership for Tooling Engineers and technical specialists.
- Assign project priorities, workload, and engineering deliverables across the team.
- Review and approve engineering work products developed by direct reports.
- Coach, mentor, and develop technical capabilities within the engineering team.
- Establish engineering best practices, design standards, and lessons learned processes.
- Conduct performance evaluations and support succession planning and talent development.
Technical Competencies:
- Advanced CAD proficiency (SolidWorks (required), CATIA or equivalent Software)
- Finite Element Analysis (ANSYS or equivalent).
- DFMEA and engineering risk assessment.
- Linear and non-linear structural analysis.
- GD&T, BOM management and engineering change control.
- Tooling validation, qualification and production readiness.
- Process flow development and manufacturing optimization.
- Lean Manufacturing: 5S, SMED, Kanban, Continuous Flow and Poka-Yoke.
- Supplier technical management and project leadership.
- Composite manufacturing and blade tooling knowledge
Soft Competencies:
- Analytical thinking.
- Problem solving
- Planning and organization.
- Effective communication.
- Leadership and team management.
- Talent development and mentoring.
- Decision making and negotiation.
Minimum Requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Industrial, Mechanical Design Engineering or related discipline.
Experience: Minimum 6 years in tooling, mold, fixture or manufacturing engineering, including design, validation, supplier management and project execution. Leadership experience preferred.
Language: Advanced English.
Preferred: SolidWorks/CATIA certification, ANSYS experience, DFMEA expertise and tooling validation experience.