We are seeking an experienced Automation & Tooling Integration Specialist to join our team, specializing in the design, build, and qualification of Automotive Body-In-White (BIW) tooling for major OEM customers. This role is critical in ensuring the precision, quality, and timely delivery of tooling solutions that meet stringent OEM standards, including those of Ford Motor Co. and other key automotive manufacturers. The successful candidate will oversee tool qualification processes, manage inspections using advanced equipment like laser trackers, and lead teams to deliver exceptional results in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. This position requires a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and project management skills to support our mission of advancing automation and tooling integration for the automotive industry.
Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. • Review and interpret Step (STP) files to assess tooling designs and ensure compliance with customer specifications. • Operate laser trackers and other inspection devices to qualify tools and generate detailed inspection reports. • Independently identify and correct tooling issues to maintain project timelines and quality standards. • Evaluate project schedules, plan workloads for self and team (including direct reports and contracted resources), and ensure timely execution of tasks. • Train team members on inspection techniques, equipment operation, and quality standards. • Manage ISO certification requirements, ensuring compliance during audits and maintaining documentation. • Coordinate annual equipment recertifications, aligning schedules with workloads to minimize downtime. • Collaborate with engineering and production teams to optimize tooling designs and integration processes. • Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for tooling or process discrepancies. • Maintain accurate records of inspections, certifications, and project progress for customer deliverables and internal tracking.
Supervisory Responsibilities • Supervise and mentor a team of direct hire and contracted employees, ranging from inspectors to technicians, across multiple projects. • Manage resources in multiple locations based on program activity, ensuring recertifications and inspections are completed on schedule. • Assign tasks, monitor performance, and provide feedback to enhance team productivity and skill development. • Coordinate with project managers to allocate personnel effectively, balancing workload and deadlines. • Ensure team adherence to safety protocols, quality standards, and company policies in shop and customer environments.
Qualifications • Proficient in preparing inspection reports using STP files and qualifying tools with laser trackers or similar inspection devices. • Strong understanding of OEM qualification deliverables, with preference for experience with Ford Motor Co. standards. • Ability to independently build or correct tooling issues without assistance, ensuring functionality and precision. • Skilled in training individuals to become proficient inspectors, fostering a culture of quality and accountability. • Excellent problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach to addressing technical challenges. • Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and process improvement methodologies is a plus. • Ability to communicate effectively with internal teams and external customers to meet project goals.
Education and/or Experience • Minimum of 10 years of experience in automotive build and tooling qualification, with a focus on Body-In-White processes. • Extensive experience operating laser trackers for tooling certifications; familiarity with Faro equipment is highly desirable. • Proficiency with Polyworks and Spatial Analyzer software for inspection and analysis is a strong advantage. • Experience using Faro arm for part inspections is a plus. • Previous hands-on experience in tooling assembly or build processes is preferred. • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field is a plus; relevant certifications (e.g., ASQ, ISO auditing) will also be considered in lieu of a degree.
Computer Skills • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) is required; advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting are essential. • Experience with Spatial Analyzer and Polyworks software for tooling inspection and analysis. • Familiarity with Microsoft Project for scheduling and workload planning is a plus. • Knowledge of Adobe PDF Editor for documentation and reporting is advantageous.
Language Skills • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, schematic drawings, and procedure manuals. • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence and create lesson plans and outlines. • Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, or employees of the organization.
Mathematical Skills • Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. • Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. • Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis. • Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to create and interpret bar graphs. • Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
Reasoning Ability • Ability to define problems, collect data, determine facts, and draw valid conclusions. • Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with variables. • Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
MIOSHA training, other trade certifications are a plus.
Physical Demands • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as required during tool handling and inspection tasks. • Capable of working extended hours during peak periods, up to 7 days per week and 10-12 hours per day. • Must be able to stand and move around the shop floor for the majority of the workday. • Requires manual dexterity and the ability to operate precision equipment in a hands-on environment.
Work Environment • Work primarily in a build shop environment with exposure to machinery, tools, and automotive components. • Periodic assignments on customer shop floors for tool recertifications and qualification activities. • Adherence to safety standards, including the use of PPE (e.g., safety glasses, steel-toed boots), is mandatory. • Fast-paced setting requiring adaptability to changing priorities and deadlines.
Travel Requirements • Approximately 25% travel required to customer sites for recertifications, inspections, and project support. • Travel may include both domestic and international locations depending on OEM customer needs.