Tooling Engineer I

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

·  Runner First  

We act in the best interest of the runner

· Word is Bond

We do what we say we’ll do

· Champion Heart  

We give our all in everything we do

·  There is no “I” in Run

We stay generous with our humanity

· Keep Moving

We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement — because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

As a Footwear Tooling Engineer, you will be part of our engineering team that creates 2D, 3D, and digital prototypes, ensuring that our products meet or exceed technical, aesthetic and quality standards. You will execute and engineer the 2D product and review the 3D process as products transition from development to commercialization and production. Additionally, you will work with suppliers to ensure commercialized molds and parts are ready for production.

Responsibilities:

• Work in collaboration with the HQ/Asia inline & innovation development team, HQ engineer team, factory partners, and mold shops in the creation of new tooling and processes that meet Brooks expectations.
• Support updating the tooling tracker for inline seasons and execute project critical paths according to seasonal timelines.
• Evaluate, adjust and confirm technical blueprints (outsole/ midsole) to ensure molds and parts meet expectations for the assigned projects, mostly the non-core styles.
• Participate in meetings with product teams during various phases of prototyping and development to ensure on–time tooling confirmation for non-core projects.
• Support the creation of tooling best practices, standards; maintain effective communication and adherence by the product teams.
• Understand mold creation process and lead times, mold shop and bottom factory procedures and ability to recognize and provide feedback on manufacturing concerns.
• Managing non-core projects with the ability to review 3D CAD models for 3D confirmation and Rapid Prototyping. Ensure the confirmed blueprints are uploaded to Flex PLM at each round in a timely manner.
• Maintaining the mold file naming structure, mold grading rule and tech transfer process in Asia and leading communication with our US-based team members, manufacturing partners, mold shops, designers and developers.
• Provide assessment of finished molded components to specification and tolerance in partnership with US team
• Join Spam and tech transfer meetings with Asia development team and factory partners to lead tooling conversations for the assigned non-core projects.
• Join all non-core project mold trial and stock-fitting trials with developers and factories to detect the manufacturing issues and ensure those are communicated and solved with the functional teams together in between China and US.
• Check all the non-core project pre-form and finished components in person and confirm those are good to go against the blueprints.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biomechanics, Engineering, Kinesiology, Design or other applicable technical degrees or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1 year technical 2D, or 2 years of footwear bottom development experience and training (mid-sole, out-sole, molded components, etc.); 3D CAD/CAM training is a plus,
• Experience working with foreign manufacturers, particularly Asia
• Current computer hardware and software proficiency (Office, Outlook, Adobe Illustrator, 2D CAD, FreeForm, 3D CAD and CAM). Knowledge of Rhinoceros / Cadkey, FEA, FEM, and Crispin a plus
• Good understanding of the working methods and cultural norms of source countries
• Demonstrated technical knowledge in tooling/ footwear tooling engineering, Asian production and RD&D processes. Familiar with the machinery and materials used in the manufacturing of footwear (CMEVA, IMEVA, PU, TPU) and its expected results.
• The ability to visualize in three dimensions, and experience with technical and manufacturing processes
• Communication, organizational skills and a willingness to work in a fast-paced team-oriented environment.
• A passion for the running enthusiast and active lifestyle

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, sensory, physical, or mental disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), honorable discharge or military status, protected citizen status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained guide dog by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.