Tooling Engineer

About The Role:

A Tooling Build Engineer on the Manufacturing team is responsible for the design, development, and validation of innovative tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment that enable the prototyping, integration, and testing of advanced structural assemblies. This role emphasizes creativity, rapid iteration, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to support early-stage research and development.

Responsibilities

• Own the design, fabrication, and implementation of advanced tooling, fixtures, and integration aids to support R&D, prototype builds, and test campaigns.
• Partner with structures, manufacturing, and test teams to define tooling requirements, integration flow, and process interfaces.
• Collaborate across engineering disciplines and external vendors to deliver rapid, high-precision prototype tooling solutions.
• Leverage advanced materials and manufacturing methods, including additive and composite fabrication, to enhance performance and efficiency.
• Perform design validations, mechanical checks, and hands-on trials to qualify tooling for development and production use.
• Drive continuous improvement by developing and implementing tooling upgrades that reduce build time, improve accuracy, and streamline operations.
• Maintain documentation, configuration control, and safety standards across all tooling systems.
• Coordinate schedule, priorities, and vendor relationships to ensure tooling deliverables align with critical R&D and integration milestones.
• Act as a key interface between engineering and build teams to resolve integration challenges and sustain build velocity.

Requirements

• Strong engineering first principles.
• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, manufacturing, or related engineering field.
• Hands-on experience with physical hardware (internships, labs, project teams all count).
• Proven ability to design, build, break, and iterate quickly.
• Comfort with CAD, test equipment, hand tools.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes (machining, welding, forming, etc.) and GD&T fundamentals.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience with prototype fabrication methods including machining, additive manufacturing, composites, and rapid prototyping.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) for tooling design and iteration.
• Knowledge of GD&T and ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings to prototype development.
• Familiarity with R&D environments and early-stage design-build-test cycles for high-performance aerospace systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to experiment, adapt, and iterate quickly in ambiguous development settings.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, prototype build, and test teams.
• Knowledge of lean prototyping and continuous improvement principles in low-volume, experimental environments.