Tool Design Engineer - Level 2 or Level 3

Northrop Grumman • San Diego, CA

9d • $83,400 - $155,400 • Onsite

About The Position

Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector is hiring a Tool Design Engineer at Level 2 or Level 3 for its Mission Enabling Products team in San Diego, California. The Mission Enabling Products Business Unit designs, builds, and delivers space, defense, and aviation-related systems, including satellites and space components, launch vehicles and propulsion systems, missile products, defense electronics, precision weapons, armament systems, and advanced aerospace structures.

The engineer will develop and design complex composite manufacturing and test tooling, collaborating with Manufacturing, Test, and other Engineering functions to support successful hardware execution and delivery. The position requires managing multiple priorities while supporting program and customer goals, and ensuring designs meet manufacturing and test plans within cost and schedule targets. Travel is 10% of the time. Relocation assistance may be available. No clearance is required to start, but the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government clearance.

The position may be filled at Level 2 or Level 3. The listed salary ranges are $83,400–$125,200 for the primary level and $103,600–$155,400 for the secondary level. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus. Northrop Grumman offers benefits including health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company-paid holidays, and paid time off.

Requirements

• For Level 2: Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering and two years of experience working in a structural design field.
• For Level 3: Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering and five years of experience working in a structural design field.
• Aerospace experience with product definition and design, including understanding specifications, SOWs, drawings, and ICD compliance.
• Understanding of aerospace materials and assembly methods, including bonding and fastening.
• Experience with CAD and PLM systems, such as Siemens NX and Teamcenter.
• Experience generating drawings, with practical knowledge and use of GD&T.
• Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFMA) principles and mistake-proofing techniques.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Extensive experience with aerospace tooling, including composite layup molds, precision assembly fixtures, and Ground Support Equipment (GSE).
• Ability to design complex, multi-piece tool assemblies to support successful manufacturing and test plan execution.
• Extensive experience with composite and metallic assemblies, including bonded and fastened joints and associated materials, adhesives, and fasteners.
• Demonstrated initiative and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Experience with composite manufacturing processes and applications, including layup, machining, bonding, and assembly.
• Active Government clearance.

Responsibilities

• Create, prototype, design, and analyze tools and fixtures for manufacturing and testing composite parts and assemblies, including layup molds, precision assembly fixtures, Ground Support Equipment (GSE), and test fixtures.
• Develop and refine components and subsystems using design skills, hand calculations, CAD modeling software, and analytical tools.
• Perform detailed 3D designs and generate 2D engineering drawings.
• Participate in and present at internal and external customer design reviews, including preparing presentation materials for PDR, CDR, and MRR reviews.
• Support manufacturing and testing of fixtures and hardware as required.
• Assist in generating manufacturing and test plans.
• Support procurement of hardware and tooling.
• Manage and track multiple priorities while focusing on shared project goals for the program team, matrix organization, and customers.
• Support continuous improvement of departmental tools and procedures.
• Ensure designs meet manufacturing and test plans while maintaining cost and schedule targets.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Life and disability insurance
• Savings plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business
• Potential eligibility for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level