Senior Mechanical Engineer-Tooling Expert

Airbus•Mukilteo, WA

1d•$123,000 - $145,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineer 3 is a senior-level contributor responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing complex mechanical systems and tooling for advanced robotic platforms. This role requires deep expertise in the design and implementation of advanced jigs, fixtures, and automated or semi-automated tooling systems for aerospace applications. The successful candidate will bring a strong background in precision tooling design, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and production-scale deployment, ensuring robust, repeatable assembly processes. Experience leading tooling development efforts, collaborating with manufacturing, quality, and integration teams, and driving continuous improvement in tooling performance, cost, and reliability is highly desired.

Requirements

Required Combination of technical degree and years of experience. Mechanical Engineering, Tooling Design, related field.
Over 8 years of experience in tooling/design engineering
Able to execute day-to-day work without instruction or guidance.
Begins to mentor junior engineers, occasionally approaching senior engineers for technical guidance and advice on new assignments.
Experience working with power tools, hand tools, and machine shop equipment is a must.
Hands-on experience working with, electric motors, gears, seals, springs, and fasteners is a must.
Experience designing mechanisms is a must.
Three or more years of experience with mechanical design tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, etc. is required.
Experience with pneumatics, linear guides, ball screws, and position sensors is a must.
Experience working with robots is a plus.
Experience designing and building jigs and automated tooling
Experience with designing large weldment structures
Advanced 3D CAD proficiency (CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) including complex assemblies
Mechanical system design for robotics: mechanisms, linkages, actuators, motion systems
Tolerance analysis (GD&T, stack‑ups, precision fits)
Structural and thermal analysis (FEA, hand calculations, material selection)
Design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA)
Experience with electromechanical integration (motors, sensors, wiring, PCBs)
Knowledge of robotics‑specific components (gears, bearings, transmissions, linear motion systems)
Prototyping and hands‑on fabrication (machining, 3D printing, rapid iteration)
Understanding of control systems and kinematics (not necessarily coding, but system‑level awareness)
Knowledge of designing jigs and automated tooling
Clear Technical Communication
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Requirements and Specification communication
Constructive Feedback
Problem Solving and Professional communication
Solidworks
CATIA
Jira
Able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings.
Able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on production floor including safety warnings or alarms.
Able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications.
Able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts.
Able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
Able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs.
Able to push and pull small office furniture and some equipment and tools.
Able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
Able to squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items stored on low shelving.
Able to stand for discussions in offices or on production floor.
Able to travel independently and at short notice.
Able to walk through office and production areas including uneven surfaces.
PPE includes, but is not limited to, Safety Shoes, Safety Glasses, Hearing Protection, Respirators/Masks, and/or Protective Gloves as required by site and/or customer site

Nice To Haves

Experience with Finite Element Analysis and modeling tools is desired.
Experience with robots is a plus.

Responsibilities

Formulate innovative conceptual designs and evolve them into final designs to meet customer requirements.
Propose new and innovative solutions for complex mechanical systems.
Fabricate, modify, and test robotic and automated assembly prototypes.
Plan or conduct experimental, environmental, operational, or stress tests on automated assembly prototypes.
Work with Software, Electrical, System Engineers and Project Management to ensure a successful product lifecycle.
Performs hands-on work when needed.
Plan or coordinate activities to investigate and resolve customers' reports of technical problems with automated tooling.
Review performance reports and documentation from customers and field engineers and inspect malfunctioning or damaged products to determine the problem.
Contribute to technical reports or other documentation, such as handbooks or bulletins, for use by engineering staff, management, or customers.
Develops, plans, and executes a project and leads one or more operators, technicians, and/or associate engineers on the execution of design tasks, prototype builds, and test setups.
Designs high-quality experiments with fast iteration speed.
Is responsible for the execution of an entire project task.
Leads project tasks and is responsible with minimal guidance for technical leadership within those project tasks.
Owns the quality of execution, iteration speed, quality of the decision-making, and quality of the results (as appropriate) of project tasks.
Exercises discretion and independent judgment in the application of specialized knowledge on work that is predominantly intellectual and for which the output produced or the result accomplished cannot be standardized in relation to a given period of time.
Guides and trains more junior members of the team.

Benefits

Competitive base salary
incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes
retirement savings plan
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)
Paid time off including personal time
holidays
generous paid parental leave program
Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans)
prescription
dental
vision
life
disability
Employee Assistance Plan (“EAP”)
other supplemental benefit coverages
Upskilling and development opportunities through our global Leadership University
unlimited access to 10,000+ e-learning courses focusing on ways to develop your employability, certifications, career path
opportunity to participate in accelerated development programs
both national and international mobility