Special Tools Engineer & Equipment Specialist

Overview: EXPLEO USA is seeking a Special Tools Engineer & Equipment Specialist to join a dynamic automotive team supporting vehicle development and launch activities in Troy, Michigan and Auburn Hills, Michigan. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineering or tooling professional to play a critical role in ensuring special tools and service equipment are developed, validated, and available in time to support successful vehicle launches. The ideal candidate will have experience working across engineering, suppliers, manufacturing, and service organizations while managing tool development programs from concept through production release. Responsibilities Lead the development of special tool requirements, engineering specifications, prototype evaluations, production-intent sample validation, and final production release. Coordinate program timing, regional demand forecasts, manufacturing schedules, shipping logistics, and dealer availability to ensure vehicle-launch readiness. Manage the designated North American tools and equipment supplier, including contract deliverables, performance reviews, escalations, and corrective action plans. Monitor supplier performance metrics including delivery, quality, inventory levels, backorders, customer support effectiveness, reporting accuracy, and issue resolution. Maintain tool records, vehicle applicability, service procedure alignment, engineering drawings, technical specifications, validation documentation, catalog information, and product lifecycle changes. Collaborate with engineering, serviceability, supply chain, warranty, regional operations, and dealership teams to identify and resolve program risks and field concerns. Support sourcing strategies, supplier evaluations, commercial reviews, cost reduction initiatives, process improvements, and performance dashboard reporting. Develop and maintain KPI tracking and management reporting to support business and supplier performance reviews. Drive issue resolution through structured corrective action processes and continuous improvement initiatives. Special tool development and validation activities completed on schedule for assigned vehicle programs. Required service tools available to dealerships in alignment with vehicle launch and deployment milestones. Supplier performance consistently meeting established targets for delivery, quality, inventory management, backorder reduction, and customer support. Timely closure of program risks, open issues, and corrective actions. Measurable improvements in cost reduction, lead time optimization, data accuracy, process efficiency, and dealer experience. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, Manufacturing, Automotive Technology, or a related field. Minimum 5 years of experience in automotive tooling, service engineering, supplier management, strategic sourcing, program management, or a related discipline. Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects and managing external suppliers. Working knowledge of tool design, validation processes, manufacturing operations, logistics, and vehicle launch activities. Experience utilizing KPIs, root cause analysis, corrective action methodologies, and executive-level reporting. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Experience with data visualization and reporting tools such as Power BI. Strong communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced automotive environment. What We Offer At Expleo USA, we value expertise, innovation, and collaboration. By joining our client's team, you'll have the opportunity to work on high-impact automotive programs while contributing to the successful launch of next-generation vehicles. Competitive Compensation – $60,000 - $95,000 annually. Final compensation is determined based on skill alignment, years of experience, and fair, market-based rates by geography. Comprehens…

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