Section
About the Role
Title: Mechanical Tooling Engineer (P.E. License Required)
Headcount: 1 Location: 100% on-site — Palmdale, California; 9/80
Contract: 12+ months, renewable based on performance/fit
Start: ASAP Security / clearance: Not required day one; must be eligible to obtain
Employment type: Contract
End product:
- PE-stamped tooling deliverables for production and prototype tooling
- 3D models for custom production and prototype tooling, including fixtures, jigs, gauges, and assembly tooling
- Detailed, installation, and Model-Based Definition (MBD) drawing packages
Tech / domain environment:
- High-mix aerospace/defense manufacturing environment
- 100% on-site in Palmdale, California on a 9/80 schedule
- Configuration-controlled PLM release environment
Job duties:
- Design and release 3D models for custom production and prototype tooling, including fixtures, jigs, gauges, and assembly tooling
- Create detailed, installation, and Model-Based Definition (MBD) drawing packages
- Validate tooling form, fit, and function against engineering requirements
- Apply GD&T and support manufacturability reviews
- Maintain configuration-controlled tooling records; process ECOs and releases in PLM
- Coordinate rapid prototyping workflows using 3D print and CNC
- Support shop-floor issues with written engineering dispositions and corrective instructions
- Apply P.E. stamp on released tooling deliverables when required
- Partner with manufacturing, quality, and program stakeholders on-site in Palmdale
Must haves:
- Active U.S. P.E. license with stamp capability
- Clearance-eligible; clearance not required at start
- Completed mechanical tooling design for fixtures, jigs, gauges, and/or assembly tooling
- Strong 3D CAD using CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE/3DX or V5 preferred; NX or SolidWorks acceptable with real depth
- Released MBD and/or detailed/installation drawing packages
- GD&T and form/fit/function validation
- PLM configuration control, ECO, and release experience with Windchill, ENOVIA, SmarTeam, Teamcenter, or equivalent
- Experience in high-mix, compliance-driven aerospace/defense manufacturing
- Ability to work 100% on-site in Palmdale, California on a 9/80 schedule
Nice to haves:
- Aerospace tooling lifecycle experience from prototype through production and sustainment
- Deep CATIA 3DX/V5 experience; NX secondary
- Rapid prototyping coordination using 3D print and CNC
- MIL-STD, AS standards, and TDP exposure; ITAR familiarity
- Mentoring modelers on drawing interpretation and modeling best practices
- Prior experience with aero OEMs or suppliers, including Northrop Grumman, Bell, Gulfstream, or Zodiac/C&D
Disqualifiers:
- Non–U.S. Citizen
- No active U.S. P.E. license or cannot stamp
- Not clearance-eligible
- No real tooling design for fixtures, jigs, gauges, or assembly tools
- CAD-only, academic, or no released packages
- No PLM configuration-control, ECO, or release background
- Cannot work 100% on-site in Palmdale, California on a 9/80 schedule