Tooling Engineer - Kaiser Aluminum

Kaiser Aluminum is known around the world for its superior quality. Our secret is what we put into it—innovative thinking, industry-leading reliability, and a world-class commitment to customer service. In short, the same qualities we look for in our people. We are looking for a Tool and Die Process Engineer to join Kaiser Aluminum in Chandler Arizona.

The Tool and Die Process Engineer will have responsibility for maintaining our extrusions dies which are critical to production efficiency and ensuring that aluminum extrusion products meet quality and performance standards.

What you will work on:

Tool and Die Development and Maintenance:

• Develop and maintain extrusion dies and tools for aluminum extrusion processes.
• Modify existing tooling to improve quality, reduce cycle times, and enhance production efficiency.
• Collaborate with tool and die suppliers to create robust tooling that meets production requirements.
• Ensure dies and tools produce aluminum extrusions to meet the required tolerances.

Process Improvement:

• Analyze production processes and suggest improvements in tooling or die design for enhanced extrusion performance.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to reduce waste and downtime.
• Troubleshoot tooling-related production issues and identify root causes for die failures or defects.

Production Support:

• Work closely with production teams to optimize die setup, changeovers, and ensure minimal downtime.
• Collaborate with press operators to establish best practices for die handling, installation, and maintenance.
• Ensure that extrusion processes meet safety and quality standards.

Tooling and Die Lifecycle Management:

• Monitor the performance of dies and tools throughout their lifecycle, conducting regular inspections and assessments.
• Manage die maintenance schedules and refurbishments to extend tool life and ensure consistent performance.
• Document and track tooling performance data to make informed decisions about repairs, replacements, or upgrades.

Quality Assurance:

• Work with the Quality and Technical teams to ensure that dies and tools produce parts that meet dimensional and surface quality specifications.
• Conduct root cause analysis of tooling defects and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and customer specifications.

Cross-Department Collaboration:

• Liaise with drafting, production, and maintenance teams to ensure tooling-related issues are addressed promptly.
• Assist with training production staff on die installation and handling procedures.

New Product Development:

• Support the launch of new products by developing tooling solutions that meet customer and production requirements.
• Conduct trials and validation of new dies and tools to ensure they are ready for full-scale production.

What you will bring to the role:

• A minimum of three to five (3 to 5) years of general process engineer experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong knowledge of aluminum extrusion processes, tooling design, and die maintenance.
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM software for die drafting and modification.
• Experience with tool and die materials and heat treatment processes.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving skills and experience in troubleshooting extrusion issues.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

No third-party candidate submissions are being accepted at this time for this opening.

About Kaiser Aluminum: Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing a diverse and inclusive culture. We are strongly committed to expanding inclusion, equity, and diversity – how we hire, develop, and inspire our diverse team members that reflects and relates to the increasingly multicultural community.