Project Manager/Tooling Engineer

Elgin Die Mold is seeking a Project Manager/Tooling Engineer to lead injection mold initiatives from early program planning through PPAP submission. This onsite role in Pingree Grove, IL combines project management with hands-on tooling and design support, including customer-facing coordination and injection mold design experience.

The position focuses on managing new molds and major engineering changes, aligning tooling workstreams with customer requirements, and supporting the full lifecycle of mold development, sampling, control plans, and quality documentation.

Responsibilities

• Own program management for all new molds or major engineering changes
• Support quote preparation and feasibility review, including development of molding concepts and mold design direction
• Oversee construction supervision and coordinate final mold sampling
• Serve as primary customer interface, spanning project launch through PPAP sample submission
• Research and define customer requirements for the program
• Lead part award activities and APQP meetings
• Recommend adjustments to help customers meet project requirements
• Schedule, track, and report project status using appropriate customer updates
• Maintain tool drawing files
• Develop and coordinate project scheduling and progress reporting to all concerned parties, especially the customer
• Schedule and participate in new mold samplings; initiate corrective action to keep the project on schedule
• Develop, validate, submit, and approve PPAP submissions
• Collaborate to create Control Plans with Quality Control across prototype, pre-launch, and production phases
• Review part designs for Design for Manufacturability and mold design concerns
• Issue P.O. for mold construction after approval of the project time and event schedule
• Provide training so project team members understand the applicable customer requirements

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in an injection molding environment
• Background in mold design using SolidWorks or other CAD software
• Experience with close tolerance applications and multiple cavity molds, including hot runner molds
• Excellent communication, problem solving, and organizational skills
• Knowledge of the PPAP process and relevant quality standards
• Strong ability to read blueprints, with a solid understanding of GD&T

Technologies

• SolidWorks
• CAD software

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Compensation: USD 95,000 - 130,000 per year.

Location: Pingree Grove, IL (onsite).