Full Time Connector Design Engineer Jobs in Rochester Hills, MI

Position Summary: 

The Tooling Development Engineer plays a critical role in validating and industrializing injection-molded tooling for plastic quick connectors, clips, and fastening solutions. This position supports product development and industrialization activities for NA customers while partnering closely with global engineering, process teams, and tooling suppliers.  This role will use simulation and tooling expertise to ensure molds built for North American programs meet ARaymond standards for performance, manufacturability, cost efficiency, and long-term reliability. 

Roles and Responsibilities: 

• Conduct mold flow analysis (Fill, Pack, Cool, Warp, Fiber Orientation) for NA quick connector, clip, and fastening programs. 

• Interpret simulation results and propose part or tooling modifications to optimize quality, cycle time, gate placement, weld-line behavior, and dimensional stability. 

• Develop simulation reports and recommendations used by Product Engineering, Tooling, and Process Engineering teams. 

• Maintain alignment with ARaymond global simulation standards while adapting to NA-specific tooling practices. 

• Review, guide, and validate mold designs developed by external North American tool shops. 

• Ensure tools meet ARaymond tooling guidelines, cooling requirements, gating standards, and maintainability expectations. 

• Support tool trials (T0/T1/Tn), gate freeze studies, capability builds (SOP readiness), and troubleshooting. 

• Participate in supplier reviews, design-for-manufacture (DFM) sessions, and onsite tool tryouts when needed. 

• Work closely with Product Engineering/Manufacturing, Product Development, Supplier Tooling Teams, and Global Industrialization Teams to evaluate and optimize part designs prior to release. 

• Support design reviews, feasibility reviews, PFMEAs, and customer launch readiness activities. 

• Provide technical input during APQP milestones and PPAP preparation. 

• Identify manufacturability risks specific to connector and clip families 

• Provide recommendations aligned with ARaymond DFM rules and NA customer expectations 

• Develop detailed tooling cost models during RFQ phase 

• Partner with Costing team to ensure accuracy of cost models, quote validation, alignment of cycle time, piece price, etc. 

• Contribute to North American tooling standards, simulation templates, and best practices. 

• Support problem-solving efforts for molding issues at NA plants (e.g., dimensional drift, flash, warpage, short shot conditions). 

• Stay up to date on material behavior, new molding methodologies, and improvements that can strengthen ARaymond NA competitiveness. 

• Other related duties and/or projects as assigned. 

Education and Experience: 

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Tool & Die Design, or equivalent experience. 

• 5+ years of mold flow simulation and/or injection mold tooling experience. 

• Strong proficiency with Moldflow, Moldex3D, or equivalent CAE tools. 

• Solid CAD competency (CATIA preferred; NX/SolidWorks also acceptable). 

• Understanding of polymer materials used in ARaymond components (GF nylon, PPA, PP, elastomeric materials). 

• Experience supporting automotive or industrial injectionmolded product launches.  

• Experience with PLM, ERP, or PDM systems used in automotive environments, preferred. 

• Experience with plastic quick connectors, clips, fasteners, or fluid handling components, preferred. 

• Hands-on experience with NA mold shops and tool trials, preferred. 

• Knowledge of GD&T, tolerance stack-ups, and dimensional control strategies, preferred. 

Skills 

• Strong analytical mindset and problemsolving ability. 

• Ability to independently evaluate complex simulation data and translate it into actionable tooling direction. 

• Comfortable working cross-functionally across departments, sites, and/or global teams. 

• Strong communication skills, especially when working with external suppliers/internal engineering teams. 

• Ability to think strategically and understand customer priorities. 

• Ability to work closely with others in a collaborative team environment. 

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 (Teams, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word). 

• Professional demeanor and ethical conduct, including handling confidential information appropriately. 

Reporting to this position 

• NA 

Physical Demands 

• Frequent sitting, walking, standing. 

• Use of computer with repetitive mouse use, keyboarding and visual demands. 

• Must be able to work in the office for collaborative purposes. 

• Ability to lift and handle parts or small tooling components up to 25 lbs. 

• Travel by air, car, or other methods of travel; up to 10%. 

Measure of Performance 

• Core Behaviors and Skills 

• Servant Leadership 

• Collaborating with Others 

• Creating Change 

• Technical/Functional Job Performance. 

• Customer and Quality Focus. 

• Attendance record. 

• Timely Completion of assigned tasks and annual goals. 

• Accuracy and integrity of work. 

Health & Safety 

As an employee at ARaymond you play a crucial role in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace. Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Complying with all company health and safety guidelines and procedures. 

• Participating in all required health and safety trainings to stay informed about best practices and regulatory requirements.