Manufacturing Engineering Tooling Lead

Objective of the Position:

The Manufacturing Engineering Tooling Lead is responsible for leading the design, development, industrialization, validation, and implementation of tooling solutions that support part manufacturing and assembly operations. The role drives tooling strategy, technical excellence, productivity improvements, and compliance with aerospace quality standards while ensuring tooling projects are delivered on time, within budget, and aligned with program requirements.

The position acts as the key interface between Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and external tool suppliers to ensure successful development and deployment of tooling required for sheet metal components and assembly.

Key Accountabilities

Tooling Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of tooling solutions for manufacturing operations such as Bending, Forming, Laser Trimming, Sheet Metal operation tooling, Welding, Inspection and assembly
• Establish tooling design standards, methodologies, and best practices.
• Define tooling requirements to support new product introduction (NPI), industrialization, and production ramp-up activities.
• Drive standardization and re-use of tooling concepts across programs and sites.
• Weekly connect with Tooling manager/team across Spain, UK & Mexico and discuss strategies that is being followed in other facilities.

Manufacturing Engineering Support

• Translate manufacturing process requirements into robust tooling concepts and technical specifications.
• Ensure tooling solutions are optimized for manufacturability, quality, safety, and cost.

Project Management

• Lead tooling projects both internally (in-house manufacturing of Tools) and External suppliers through procurement, validation, and production release.
• Develop project schedules, budgets, resource plans, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure on-time delivery of tooling to meet program milestones and production requirements.
• Manage engineering changes and tooling modifications throughout the product lifecycle through LIVE tooling tracker

Technical Governance

• Conduct in-house tooling design reviews, risk assessments, and technical approvals.
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards, customer requirements, and regulatory requirements.
• Review and approve tooling drawings, specifications, and qualification documentation.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Function as the technical focal point for tooling suppliers
• Evaluate supplier proposals, monitor tooling fabrication activities, and support acceptance testing.
• Collaborate with design engineering, quality, production, and program management teams.
• Resolve technical and schedule-related issues affecting tooling projects.

Tool Validation & Quality Assurance

• Lead tooling qualification, commissioning, and capability validation activities.
• Support First Article Inspection (FAI) and process qualification requirements.
• Ensure tooling achieves required dimensional accuracy, repeatability, and process capability.
• Investigate tooling-related quality issues and implement corrective actions.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive initiatives to improve tooling reliability, maintainability, ergonomics, and productivity.
• Reduce manufacturing cycle times, tooling costs, and non-quality costs.
• Promote Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement culture across the organization.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to Tooling Designers and Manufacturing Engineers.
• Support competency development within the tooling engineering team.
• Foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing across the engineering organization.

Behavioural Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• High attention to detail and quality orientation.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Collaboration and teamwork across global engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Customer-focused mindset with strong ownership and accountability

It is Essential that the Successful Candidate

• Holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, production engineering, or a related discipline.
• Has 8-15 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing engineering and tooling development.
• Has proven experience leading tooling design and industrialization projects within an aerospace manufacturing environment.
• Possesses strong knowledge of sheet metal processes, aero engine manufacturing.
• Is proficient in CATIA V5/V6, Siemens NX, Solid Works, or equivalent CAD platforms.
• Has extensive experience applying GD&T, tolerance stack-up analysis, and dimensional management principles.
• Demonstrates knowledge of AS9100 quality systems and aerospace manufacturing requirements.
• Has strong project management, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Can manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Possesses excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.