Senior Metal Tooling Engineer
This role has been designed as 'Hybrid' with an expectation that you will work on average 2 days per week from an HPE office.
Job Description:Job Family Definition:Leads sheet metal tooling engineering activities supporting the development, validation, launch, and continuous improvement of stage tools, progressive dies, and soft tool metal fabrication for sheet metal components used in enterprise server, storage, networking, rail kits, and rack products.
Job Level Definition: Applies advanced subject matter knowledge to solve complex business issues and is regarded as a subject matter expert who provides technical leadership to functional and technical program teams. Serves as a technical authority for metal forming processes, tooling strategy, manufacturability, supplier qualification, supplier process capability, materials science, tool cost modeling, supplier negotiations, and sustainability to global program teams.
Description:Responsibilities:- Leads sheet metal tooling process strategy, design, and build activities for new product introductions and sustaining programs from concept to end of service.
- Evaluates and reviews manufacturability of complex sheet metal designs during concept, development, and production phases. Conducts Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews with product design teams and manufacturing engineering partners to ensure tooling feasibility and process capability.
- Reviews and validates through all stages of design. Reviews and validates prototype tooling, stage tool, and progressive die process plans and die designs. Reviews and approves tooling qualification activities.
- Resolves tooling, dimensional, cosmetic, and process-related manufacturing issues through structured root cause analysis with corrective and preventative action plans.
- Drives continuous improvement: Improves yield, repeatability, process stability, and dimensional performance across global manufacturing operations. Identifies cost reduction opportunities through process optimization, tooling standardization, and manufacturing efficiency improvements. Coordinates tooling modifications, engineering changes, and other continuous improvement initiatives.
- Leads negotiations for new tool and tool engineering change supplier quotes.
- Develops and maintains models, processes, and standards, including: tool cost model and method, sheet metal material specifications, sheet metal tooling standards
- Provides technical leadership and mentorship related to metal forming processes, tool engineering, and production practices.
- Drives sustainability initiatives related to sheet metal manufacturing and metal fabricating, carbon footprint accounting, and carbon emissions reduction initiatives
- Provides technical leadership during high-risk manufacturing escalations and cross-functional problem-solving situations.
- Reviews quality and first article inspection reports from suppliers. Support new supplier qualification evaluation studies.
- Gathers market intelligence on material science and manufacturing technology advancements. Researches sheet metal cost and manufacturing labor rate trends for cost modeling and forecasting.
Education and Experience Required:- Completion of the U.S. Dept. of Labor certified apprenticeship program in die engineering or diemaking OR
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Industrial Management
- Minimum 10 years of hands-on die engineering or shop floor experience, OR engineering experience directly working with die engineers.
Knowledge and Skills:- Advanced knowledge of sheet metal forming processes, tooling systems, and die mechanics.
- Ability to read 2D process plans and die drawings.
- Experience with prototyping, stage tools, and progressive dies.
- Strong understanding of sheet metal materials, including hot-dipped galvanized commercial steel, 300-series stainless steel, and high-strength low alloy (HSLA) steel.
- Experience working with global tooling suppliers and stamping manufacturers.
- Strong problem-solving, crisis management, analytical, and project management skills.
- Knowledge of GD&T, dimensional capability analysis, tolerance stack-up, and statistical process control.
- Background in tooling qualification, production launch, and supplier process validation.
- Experience managing complex global tooling programs with aggressive launch timelines.
- Knowledge of sustainability initiatives, including carbon footprinting, EPEAT, and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices.
- Intermediate proficiency with Creo or other 3D CAD solid modeling software.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interface from factory floor operations to executive leadership. Ability to effectively communicate complex technical issues with simplicity and clarity to senior executive management levels.
Impact/Scope:- This role directly impacts product quality, manufacturing scalability, tooling investment efficiency, sustainability performance, supplier capability, launch timing, and the ability to protect product design intent through robust manufacturing execution. The Sheet Metal Tooling Engineer serves as a critical technical bridge between product development, procurement, sustainability, and global manufacturing operations.
- Collaborates with peers, mechanical and thermal engineers, technicians, and external design partners and manufacturing personnel to execute new product programs within budget and on time.
- Interacts with executive management, high-level Individual Contributors, Managers, Directors, and Program Core Teams.
- Leads multiple projects requiring critical process leadership to drive manufacturability, cost engineering, and program execution to support Advanced Development, Procurement, Supply Chain, and Quality organizations and global tooling suppliers to ensure product design intent is achieved through robust, repeatable, and cost-effective manufacturing processes.
Complexity:What We Can Offer You:Health & WellbeingWe strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.
Personal & Professional DevelopmentWe also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have - whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.
Unconditional InclusionWe are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.
Let's Stay Connected:#unitedstates
Job:Engineering
Job Level:TCP_04
"The expected salary/wage range for this position is provided below. Actual offer may vary from this range based upon geographic location, work experience, education/training, and/or skill level.
- United States of America: Annual Salary USD 105,500 - 243,000 in Texas
The listed salary range reflects base salary. Variable incentives may also be offered."
Information about employee benefits offered in the US can be found at https://myhperewards.com/main/new-hire-enrollment.html
