Lead Tooling Engineer (Progressive Stamping)

Company Overview Our client is a Premier Multinational Precision Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing Corporation, specializing in high-precision stamped components, progressive metal forming, and electro-mechanical tooling for the global electronics, semiconductor, and high-tech industrial sectors. Backed by state-of-the-art CNC, Wire-EDM, and automated stamping infrastructure, the organization delivers complex, high-tolerance mechanical solutions to international Tier-1 technology brands.

To strengthen internal tooling innovation, lead toolroom manpower, and drive aggressive cost-down initiatives, the engineering leadership is seeking a hands-on, leadership-oriented Lead Tooling Engineer (Progressive Stamping).

Position Overview

Reporting to the Tooling Manager and collaborating directly with the Operations Director, the Lead Tooling Engineer serves as the primary technical authority and shopfloor operational lead for precision stamping tooling. This role holds end-to-end accountability for progressive die design, blanking tools, die fabrication, troubleshooting, and continuous optimization.

Beyond deep technical execution, the incumbent bridges engineering and operations—leading toolroom manpower, presenting Capex/tooling engineering proposals, managing external toolmakers, and executing measurable yield and cost-saving programs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Progressive Tooling Development & Technical Ownership Lead tooling projects from concept formulation through DFM, design review, fabrication, trial tuning, buy-off, and mass production handover. Serve as the core subject matter expert in progressive die design, blanking tools, compound dies, and multi-stage metal stamping. Interface directly with product design teams, program managers, and customers to translate technical component specifications into robust stamping die designs. Oversee CNC machining, Wire-EDM programming parameters, and toolroom assembly tolerances to ensure dies strictly adhere to micron-level customer drawings.
2. Toolroom Leadership, Manpower Planning & Proposals Supervise, coach, and direct CNC/EDM programmers, toolmakers, and stamping line technicians. Formulate manpower scheduling, technician shift allocation, and toolroom workload balancing to meet aggressive production deadlines. Prepare, structure, and present formal engineering proposals, tooling Capex justifications, and project milestone updates to senior operational leadership and the Operations Director. Drive team discipline, shopfloor safety standards, and conflict resolution across cross-functional engineering groups.
3. Tooling Buy-Off, Supplier Audits & Quality Systems Monitor external tool manufacturers and fabrication vendors through rigorous design reviews, on-site tool audits, and buy-off checklists. Develop and standardize tooling Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), die maintenance work instructions, and site acceptance testing (SAT) criteria. Ensure newly commissioned jigs, fixtures, and stamping presses meet Master Production Schedule (MPS) timelines and part quality specifications.
4. Continuous Improvement & Cost-Saving Initiatives Drive value-engineering and cost-down initiatives across all stamping lines—including die life extension, raw material strip yield optimization, scrap reduction, and regrinding cycle improvements. Lead root-cause failure investigations (8D, 5-Why) for recurring stamping defects (burrs, misfeeds, slug pulling, cracking, dimension drift) and implement permanent die modifications. Introduce modern tooling coatings, sensor technologies, and automation retrofits to enhance press speed, stroke efficiency, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Precision Tooling / Mold Design, or equivalent technical credentials. Work Experience: Minimum 5+ years of progressive hands-on experience in precision stamping tooling, with a strong preference for candidates from the precision electronics, connector, semiconductor leadframe, or micro-mechanics industries.

Technical Mastery: In-depth expertise in Progressive Stamping Dies (strip layout, punch and die clearance, spring-back compensation, forming, blanking). Proficient in interpreting complex GD&T engineering blueprints, CAD/CAM modeling, and toolroom fabrication processes (Wire-EDM, CNC, surface grinding). Demonstrated track record of successful new tool trials, debugging, tuning, and production buy-off.

Leadership & Soft Skills: Proven leadership capability to manage toolmakers, organize operational manpower, and mentor junior technicians. Strong executive presentation skills with the ability to articulate technical proposals, project budgets, and cost-benefit analyses to senior management. Demonstrated commercial mindset with documented achievements in scrap reduction, cycle-time improvement, or tooling cost savings.