Principal Tooling Design Engineer

Northrop Grumman•Sunnyvale, CA

5d•$103,600 - $155,400•Onsite

About The Position

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Principal Tooling Design Engineer based out of Sunnyvale, CA. The selected tool designer candidate will be responsible for concept generation, detailed 3D CAD design, fabrication drawings, and support during production. The Designer ensures that tooling meets all performance, quality, and safety requirements, while serving as the primary technical liaison between engineering, manufacturing, and project management teams. Assesses project issues and develops resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and client-satisfaction goals and objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) with a minimum of 5 years of technical experience in design for manufacturing (DMF); master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of experience.
Experience in 3D CAD modeling using standard commercial CAD software.
Experience in 2D drafting and drawing creation from 3D models.
Experience modifying existing 2D drawings and 3D CAD models.
U.S. citizenship required.

Nice To Haves

Tool‑design and development experience with the ability to design, prototype, qualify, and sustain production‑quality fixtures, gauges, and test rigs for aerospace/defense programs, demonstrating end‑to‑end ownership from concept through release.
Advanced CAD expertise, mastery of 3‑D modeling tools (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX) plus downstream DFM software, enabling rapid creation of detailed drawings.
Experience with AS9100, MIL‑STD‑1521 (tool design), ITAR/FAR compliance.
NX modeling and drafting experience.
Experience evaluating vendor and equipment capability and ability to perform required tasks, including production of tooling as well as unique aerospace part production.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with internal customers and project teams to capture functional and performance requirements.
Develop initial tooling concepts, feasibility studies, and cost–benefit analyses that address new and existing program needs.
Create detailed 3D CAD models (NX preferred) and production 2D drawings specifying fit, form, and function.
Develop fabrication requirements that incorporate standardized manufacturing instructions (ERP system), along with procurement specifications and inspection plans to guide the production process.
Ensure design documentation clearly communicates technical intent; note that any changes requiring formal documentation updates must be submitted to the Tooling Configuration Control Analyst.
Provide hands-on technical support to in-house manufacturing teams and vendors during fabrication.
Perform first-article and in-process inspections to validate that manufacturing outputs meet design specifications and performance targets.
Troubleshoot and resolve fabrication issues to maintain quality and schedule.
Act as the technical point of contact, ensuring that all design revisions are properly documented and routed through the Tooling Configuration Control Analyst.