Principal Tooling Design & Polymer Molding SME

Lead with purpose. Engineer for impact.

Join Alcon’s Engineering function and help us elevate quality, processes, products, packaging, and materials to improve sight for patients everywhere. As our Principal Tooling Design and Polymer Molding SME, you will set the technical bar for injection molding and tooling across global operations, connecting R and D to manufacturing to deliver reliable, cost effective, compliant production.

How you will make a difference

1. Innovate and design – Create precision mold tooling and architect molding processes tuned to part geometry, material properties, production volume, and cost objectives.
2. Industrialize and validate – Lead improvements and validations for molds, tooling support systems, and equipment; execute capability studies, DOE, and IQ OQ PQ to lock in performance.
3. Optimize and troubleshoot – Resolve molding and equipment issues, improve automation including end of arm interfaces, and strengthen hot runner performance.
4. Scale new products – Drive New Product Introduction from concept to ramp up while managing timeline, risk, and cost targets, partnering closely with suppliers and contract manufacturers.
5. Mentor and elevate – Coach junior engineers and technicians in molding and tooling best practices; champion continuous improvement and operational excellence.
6. Comply and document – Ensure designs and processes meet medical device regulatory, safety, and quality standards; maintain documentation, change control, and GxP aligned records per SOPs.

Role specifics

• Oversee molding trials, generate clear process documentation, and assess raw material impacts on molding performance
• Collaborate with cross functional partners to lower defects, enhance mold performance, and increase throughput
• Scout advanced tooling technologies and auxiliary equipment to improve safety, efficiency, and cost
• Recommend capital investments, standardize tooling, and produce capital justifications

Your background

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience pathway: high school plus 13 years, Associate’s plus 9 years, M.S. plus 2 years, or PhD plus 0 years
• Fluent English communication
• 5 years of relevant experience
• Work schedule: Exempt, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM EST – 5:00 PM EST
• Travel: up to 10 percent
• Work setting: onsite
• Relocation available
• Sponsorship not available

Preferred strengths

• Engineering degree with Plastics or Mechanical emphasis preferred; other disciplines considered
• Strong command of scientific molding
• Demonstrated success troubleshooting and optimizing molding processes and equipment
• Experience with molding process validation and qualification IQ OQ PQ
• Hot runner systems and troubleshooting experience
• Automation troubleshooting including EOA tooling
• Experience with process monitoring systems
• Experience performing contact and non contact dimensional inspection
• Industry experience in medical device or other regulated settings

Tools and focus areas

• Injection Molding Machine Husky
• Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Equipment
• Process Engineering
• Injection Molding Experience

Thrive with us

• Team with peers to share standard processes and learnings as work evolves
• Accelerate your development with focused growth opportunities
• Join our mission to deliver innovative products and solutions that improve sight and lives
• Benefit from a robust package that includes health, life, retirement, flexible time off for exempt associates, PTO for hourly associates, and more

See your impact at alcon.com.careers