Associate Tooling Engineer

Location: Rutherfordton

The Associate Tooling Engineer is responsible for the repair and component replacement of production tooling, and for maintaining the accuracy of all tooling data, records, and revision control within the engineering department. This position requires working knowledge of tooling condition, wear, and standard repair processes, along with strong organizational and data management skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Repairs and Components Manages outside tooling repairs, including preparation of repair scopes of work, collection of vendor quotes, and issuance of purchase orders.

Manages component replacements, including sourcing and purchasing of wear components (inserts, cores, sleeves) for existing tooling designs.

Supports the tool room in the procurement of perishable tooling components as needed.

Provides general technical support to the tool room on routine tooling questions and issues.

Tooling Data and Records Sets up and maintains tooling and tooling configuration records within the ERP system.

Generates shot count reports and leads last-shot reviews; issues associated work orders.

Maintains inventory records for cores, components, and sleeves.

Monitors wear trends and shot history to forecast upcoming tooling replacement needs with adequate lead time for budgeting and vendor scheduling.

Prepares tooling budget forecasts to support capital and maintenance planning.

Processes system updates required to close out tooling records upon retirement of a tool.

Documentation and Revision Control Maintains the engineering file structure.

Maintains revision control of core drawings, sleeve drawings, and die model updates, including updates to CAD models and drawings as changes occur.

Supports documentation requirements for APQP and QMS engineering procedures.

Cross-Functional Support Provides cost information in support of repair quotes issued to customers.

Performance Measures Accuracy of tooling records maintained in the ERP system.

Timeliness and quality of completed repairs and component replacements.

Reduction in unplanned tooling downtime resulting from proactive forecasting.

Completeness and accuracy of revision-controlled documentation.

Required:

Working knowledge of tool steel types, common wear mechanisms, and failure modes (e.g., thermal fatigue, flash).Ability to learn and operate effectively within database or ERP-style systems.

Strong organizational skills with demonstrated attention to detail in record-keeping and documentation.

Ability to read and interpret tooling drawings and specifications.

Preferred:

Experience with formal revision or engineering change control processes.

Working CAD skills (Solid Works, Creo, or similar) sufficient to perform routine drawing updates.

Experience forecasting maintenance or capital needs based on usage data.
2+ year degree in an engineering-related field

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field is preferred
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