On Call Injection Mold Design Engineer Jobs in Grand Rapids, MI

Principal Injection Mold Tooling Engineer – Encapsulated Glazing SystemsDo you architect molds that make complex glass encapsulation look simple? Can you spot gate-induced stress risks at a glance and still keep a launch on time and on budget? If your answer is yes, Magna Engineered Glass wants you to lead world-class tooling for encapsulated automotive windows.What you'll take point onStandards and supplier excellenceOwn and deploy corporate standards for encapsulation tooling.Build a bench of qualified toolmakers—domestic and international—skilled in vertical presses, robotic glass loading, and automated demold.Process innovationEngineer and validate: encapsulation overmold, dynamic pressure pad systems, magnetized bezel/stiffener insert molding, and soft-seal tooling with integrated fixturing.Lead rigorous design reviews: parting, gating/runners (hot + cold), steel selection, shrink, cooling, and texture specs.Ensure glass edge protection, dimensional stability, adhesion, and sealing are designed-in; manage full data retention (2D/3D, CMM, process sheets, hot runner/manifold and material records).Design for manufacturabilityEvaluate new quotes for feasibility: glass edge tolerance/flatness, cross-sections (seals, beads, retention), adhesion/bonding needs, and gate effects on stress in glass and polymer.Partner with Designers, Program Managers, Tooling Suppliers, and Project Engineers to confirm draft, shut-offs, retention geometry, gaging datums, and warp/shrink predictions meet customer specs.Builds, trials, and launchCreate/approve quotes, manage timing, conduct supplier visits, and hit PPAP milestones.Lead sampling—validate glass loading, sealing, adhesion/peel; debug short shots, flash, sinks, voids, and stress marks.Verify with CMM layouts, fixture checks, and encapsulation profile conformance; approve texture (grain) and surface quality.Release spares and PM plans; identify critical spare steel; support packaging, racking, and gage design reviews.CAE, materials, and testingDirect Moldflow/CAE to analyze flow around glass, knit/adhesion risks, cooling of non-uniform walls, and polymer stress transfer to glass edges.Maintain materials portfolio: TPE, PVC, PC/ABS, TPU, and specialty encapsulation compounds.Assess supplier tryout equipment and process capability; support testing—adhesion pulls, weathering/UV, thermal cycling/expansion mismatch—and solve delamination, cracking, warp, and dimensional issues.Participate in supplier evaluations post-project.Documentation and continuous improvementDocument technical decisions, tool changes, sampling, and validation; keep timing and status current; generate cost/variance reports and support budgets/forecasts.Advance new tech: hot runners for hybrid materials, glass-contact tool steels, adhesion-promoting treatments; introduce TPE, low-gloss PVC, PC/ABS, and future compounds.Publish/update work instructions and quality procedures; train Tool Room teams on maintenance, repair, PM frequency, and safe glass mold handling.Safety and complianceFollow Magna Engineered Glass safety policies and environmental regulations.Meet ISO/IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 requirements; complete all safety/environmental training.Team contributionPitch in beyond your core scope and help maintain a positive, adaptable culture.You’ll thrive here if you bringBS in Engineering or similar preferred (equivalent experience considered).8+ years in tooling/plastics/program engineering in manufacturing; deep expertise in injection molding of encapsulated automotive glass.Advanced injection mold design and polymer processing knowledge; strong Moldflow/CAE skills.Mastery of glass handling/fixturing, polymer-to-glass adhesion, overmold material selection, and mold strategies for encapsulated windows.Track record leading complex multi-tool programs, managing suppliers, and owning budgets.Capacity to run multiple programs while hitting quality, timing, and cost targets.Ability to interpret drawings/CAD/tooling layouts; communicate and document clearly; drive continuous improvement and long-term strategy.Knowledge of manufacturing safety standards; English fluency required, Spanish preferred.Work setting and travelOffice 60% / Plant 40%.Frequent computer use requiring near/far/depth/color vision; keyboard/mouse ~6 hours/day.Plant exposure to machinery, moving equipment/materials, moderate noise, airborne particles/fumes, and temperature variation.Travel 5–10% to suppliers or other sites, domestic and international.Physical realities of the roleExtended periods of sitting/standing; walking and bending required.Stand up to 8–12 hours/day.Lift up to 40 lbs multiple times daily.Repetitive bending, twisting, turning, and lifting; repeated hand use (grip, grasp, pinch, squeeze).Core competenciesLeadership in encapsulation tooling.Design review, manufacturability, and tooling problem-solving expertise.Cross-functional and supplier communication.Systems thinking across glass, polymer, and tooling.Technical proficienciesAutomotive Manufacturing SystemsLaunchProduct DevelopmentTooling #J-18808-Ljbffr