Advanced Quality Tooling Engineer- Plastics

ABOUT SLATE

At Slate, we’re building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love—and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR SLATE is looking for an energetic, organized, experienced  Senior Supplier Tooling Engineer-Plastics to join our growing team. The Senior Supplier Tooling Engineer will serve as Slate’s primary technical authority on vendor tooling, molds, and dies across the supply base. This role owns tooling compliance, asset tracking, runoff readiness, and launch support — ensuring that supplier tooling is capable, documented, and production-ready at every program milestone.

As a senior-level contributor, this individual also provides technical mentorship to SQEs interfacing with tooling-intensive suppliers.

WHAT YOU GET TO DO

• In this position, the candidate will be responsible for managing Slate’s vendor tooling program across all commodity types — including injection-molded plastics, and soft trim — from tool award through production runoff and PPAP approval. Responsibilities include tracking tooling build status and milestone adherence, conducting tool trials and first article inspections, evaluating dimensional and process capability data from tool-sourced parts, and driving corrective action on tooling-related non-conformances. The Senior Supplier Tooling Engineer will also oversee Slate’s tooling asset register, coordinate Engineering Change implementation at the tool level, support capacity verification activities, and partner with Purchasing and Program Management to protect tooling budgets and timing. In a lead capacity, this individual will guide less experienced SQEs on tooling evaluation methods and supplier engagement strategies.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Engineering Degree or equiv. or previous working level experience.
• 8+ years of experience in supplier tooling, tool engineering, or supplier quality with significant hands-on exposure to mold, die, and fixture design, construction, and runoff in an automotive or high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Excellent communication and supplier relationship skills, with the ability to hold tooling vendors accountable while maintaining productive working partnerships.
• Deep experience across tooling types for varied commodity groups including injection-molded plastics.
• Ability to identify tooling root causes for dimensional, cosmetic, or process capability issues and drive timely corrective action through structured problem-solving methods (8D, 5-Why, Ishikawa).
• Strong understanding of tooling program metrics including tool trial status, T1/T2/T3 build milestones, first article acceptance rates, and capacity verification results.
• Proficient in reading and interpreting GD&T, tool drawings, and die/mold design prints; experience working with CMM data, dimensional reports, and capability studies (Cpk, Ppk, Gauge R&R).
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• High level of integrity, with the ability to communicate tooling risk clearly and escalate issues to program leadership without delay.
• Ability to manage multiple tooling programs simultaneously in a fast-paced launch environment, prioritizing effectively under program pressure.
• WHY JOIN TEAM SLATE?
• At Slate, we’re fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. The start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness move our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.
• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy
• WE WANT TO WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT REFLECT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE OPERATE.
• Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.
• Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at slate-talent_acquisition@slate.auto.