Manufacturing Engineer - Tooling

Job Summary
The Tooling Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for the design, procurement, and management of plant tooling to support production processes. This role ensures that tooling requirements are met efficiently, and tooling inventory is effectively maintained to support operational needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, quote, and procure tooling for production machinery and processes.
• Identify critical tooling and ensure appropriate inventory is maintained to support production demands.
• Organize and maintain tooling drawings within JTEKT’s database system (Oracle and Drawing Number System) and ensure all records are up to date.
• Collaborate with line engineers to address tooling issues and manage tooling-related requests.
• Work closely with JTEKT Japan’s design teams to implement tooling solutions for upcoming Richland programs.
• Monitor tooling obsolescence and phase out tooling as appropriate to mitigate financial risks.
• Forecast tooling requirements based on projected customer production demands to prevent shortages.
• Address plant quality concerns related to tooling and work with suppliers to resolve issues, recover costs, and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with Richland’s Jig and Tool Department to enhance tooling production using advanced software solutions.
• Drive tooling cost reductions by identifying high-usage items for re-quoting and applying expertise to optimize order quantities and stocking levels.
• Analyze tooling usage patterns to identify inefficiencies and collaborate with other departments to implement design improvements or resolve issues.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong abilities in Computer Aided Design software (Solidworks is preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or another engineering/design related field
• 3-5 years related experience
• Experience with inventory management systems (Oracle experience is preferred)

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

•             Work is mostly performed in the manufacturing setting and in the office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards and with substantial time spent working on a computer.  Requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate computer keyboard and other office equipment.

•             The performance of this position requires exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields, safety shoes, and mandatory hearing protection.