Advanced Tool Design Manager

Weiss-Aug Group

$110K — $130K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Tool Design, or related field.
  • 12+ years of progressive stamping die design and tooling engineering experience.
  • 5+ years of leadership or project management experience.
  • Expert proficiency in SolidWorks and Logopress.
  • Proficiency in progressive die design, tool construction, and metal forming processes.
  • Extensive experience in tool tryouts, validation, troubleshooting, and production operations.
  • Experience in multiple manufacturing sectors, including medical devices, automotive, aerospace, electronics, or consumer products.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the Advanced Tool Design function and establish engineering standards.
  • Manage and develop a team of Tool Designers and Engineers.
  • Drive tooling innovation and standardization across methodologies and practices.
  • Oversee design of complex progressive stamping dies using advanced engineering software.
  • Approve designs and provide guidance on die construction methods and technologies.
  • Implement advanced simulation technologies to optimize stamping processes.
  • Provide technical leadership for tooling projects through to production launch.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 401(k) with company match.
  • Paid time off (PTO).
  • Tuition reimbursement program.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
  • Short-term disability insurance.
  • Group life and accidental insurance.
Full Job Description
Job Type

Full-time

Description

We're currently seeking a passionate and skilled Advanced Tool Design Manager to join our team and contribute to our mission of delivering high-quality, engineered solutions to our customers worldwide. In this role you will be responsible for leading the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of complex progressive stamping dies, precision tooling systems, and advanced manufacturing technologies. This position manages tooling design resources while providing strategic direction for die engineering, simulation, tool optimization, automation integration, and smart manufacturing initiatives.

The Successful candidate will possess deep expertise in progressive die design, metal forming processes, tool construction, simulation technologies, and advanced manufacturing systems. This role is responsible for driving tooling innovation, establishing engineering standards, developing technical talent, and ensuring tooling solutions support operational excellence, cost competitiveness, product quality, and manufacturing scalability.

The Advanced Tool Design Manager partners closely with Product Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Tool Room, Automation, and external tooling suppliers to deliver world-class tooling solutions from concept through production launch.

Responsibilities

Tooling Strategy & Leadership
  • Lead the Advanced Tool Design function, establishing technical direction, priorities, and engineering standards.
  • Manage and develop a team of Tool Designers, Tool Engineers, and technical specialists.
  • Provide leadership from progressive die design, stamping process development, and tooling innovation initiatives.
  • Drive standardization of tooling methodologies, design practices, component selection and documentation.

Advanced Tool Design & Engineering
  • Oversee the design and development of complex progressive stamping dies utilizing SolidWorks, Logopress, and advances engineering software.
  • Approve strip layouts, progression designs, carrier concepts, die station development, and complete tooling assemblies.
  • Provide technical guidance on die construction methods, tool steels, heat treatment, coating and wear-resistant technologies.
  • Support tooling quotations, feasibility assessments, and manufacturing cost analyses.

Simulation & Manufacturing Analytics
  • Lead the utilization of advanced simulation technologies to optimize stamping and forming processes.
  • Implement simulation-driven design methodologies that reduce launch risk and minimize tool tryout cycles.
  • Drive data-driven root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives across tooling programs.

Die Protection, Automation & Smart Manufacturing
  • Establish standards for advanced in-die sensing and die protection systems.
  • Partner with Automation and Controls Engineering team to integrate sensor technology with presses, robotic systems, and manufacturing equipment.
  • Support development of smart tooling technologies for predictive maintenance and process monitoring.

Program Management & Launch Support
  • Provide technical leadership for tooling projects from product concept through production launch.
  • Coordinate internal and external tooling suppliers to meet project timing, cost and quality objectives.
  • Manage tooling schedules, budgets, risks and resource allocation.
  • Lead tool build reviews, tryouts, debugging activities, and validation programs.
  • Ensure successful transfer to tooling into production environments.


Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Tool Design, or related technical field.
  • Minimum 12+ years of progressive stamping die design and tooling engineering experience.
  • Minimum 5+ years of leadership, supervisory, or project management experience.
  • Expert-level proficiency in: SolidWorks and Logopress
  • Proficiency in: Progressive Die Design, Tool Construction and Metal Forming Processes.
  • Demonstrated success managing complex tooling programs from concept through production launch.
  • Extensive experience supporting tool tryout, validation, troubleshooting, and production operations.
  • Experience in medical devices, automotive, aerospace, electronics or consumer products manufacturing.
  • Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

This position is at our New Kensington, PA location.

Other Benefits Include
  • Medical, Dental and Vision
  • 401 (k) with company match
  • PTO Time
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Short Term Disability
  • Group Life and Accidental Insurance

US Pay Transparency

The base salary for this role will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, experience, and internal consistency.

If your salary requirements exceed the advertised range and you remain interested in Weiss-Aug, we encourage you to apply.

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