Tyler Pipe - Pattern Shop Tooling Engineer

The Pattern Shop Tooling Engineer is responsible for the design, development, optimization, maintenance, and lifecycle management of tooling used in foundry operations, including molds, patterns, cores, and fixtures. This position ensures tooling supports safe, efficient, and high-quality production of cast iron products while driving continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, yield, tooling performance, and manufacturing efficiency. The Pattern Shop Tooling Engineer works closely with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to support new product development, tooling upgrades, and foundry modernization efforts.

Job Description Tooling Engineering & Design

• Design, develop, and optimize molds, patterns, cores, fixtures, gating systems, and risering systems to support production, quality, and safety objectives.
• Create and maintain tooling drawings, specifications, standards, and engineering documentation.
• Evaluate and implement tooling improvements that increase productivity, casting quality, and manufacturing efficiency.

Production Support & Continuous Improvement

• Support production by troubleshooting tooling and process issues affecting casting quality, yield, and performance.
• Analyze production data, conduct trial pours, validate tooling changes, and implement corrective actions to reduce defects and scrap.
• Lead root cause investigations and continuous improvement initiatives related to tooling reliability, process stability, and customer satisfaction.

Tooling Asset Management & Projects

• Administer preventive maintenance programs and monitor tooling condition, utilization, and lifecycle performance.
• Coordinate tooling repair, refurbishment, replacement, and duplication activities with internal and external resources.
• Support capital projects, equipment installations, foundry modernization efforts, and production capacity improvements.

Tooling Maintenance and Lifecycle Management

• Own and administer preventive maintenance programs for active tooling assets.
• Monitor tooling condition, wear patterns, utilization rates, and end-of-life indicators.
• Recommend tooling repair, refurbishment, replacement, or duplication based on production and quality requirements.
• Coordinate tooling maintenance activities with internal patternmakers and external tooling suppliers.

Documentation, Safety & Compliance

• Maintain tooling records, drawings, modification history, performance reports, and engineering documentation.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and company policies while promoting safe work practices throughout the facility.
• Maintain effective communication with all departments to support production goals.
• Keep work areas clean, organized, and safe.

Note: This job description outlines key responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Additional duties may be assigned by the Disa Pattern Maker, Machining Department Manager, or Plant Leadership as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Three (3) years of experience in foundry tooling, pattern design, manufacturing engineering, or related industrial environments.
• Working knowledge of foundry processes, tooling design, gating and risering systems, and casting principles.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, develop technical documentation, and utilize CAD software.
• Strong problem-solving, project management, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively across Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work safely in a foundry environment with required PPE and maintain reliable attendance.

Additional Information Tyler Pipe, as a subsidiary of McWane, Inc., is a nationwide leader in manufacturing cast iron soil pipe and fittings located in Tyler, Texas. Based on the founding principles of McWane in 1920, it is expected that all team members will know and exhibit the eight principles of The McWane Way: Safety, Environment, Leadership, Accountability, Excellence, Trust, Teamwork, and Communication as well as the values and behaviors supporting these principles.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA- gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.