Mechanical Engineer, Tooling and MGSE (II-III)

Location: Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA

Department: Mechanical Engineering

YOUR MISSION

We are seeking a Mid-Career Spacecraft Tooling & MGSE Design Engineer to serve as a capable individual contributor on our Space Systems manufacturing team. You will independently execute tooling and MGSE designs ranging from assembly fixtures and handling systems to STE and precision integration equipment, while beginning to take on mentoring and technical leadership responsibilities. If you bring solid aerospace tooling experience and the drive to work in a fast-moving space security environment, this is your opportunity to make a direct impact on systems that will operate in orbit.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and develop tooling and MGSE for spacecraft AI&T including assembly fixtures, lifting and handling systems (spreader bars, lift adapters, rotation fixtures), transportation and environmental containers, STE/ATP fixtures, and cleanroom tooling.
• Develop 3D CAD models and production-level 2D drawings in CREO or NX; manage design configurations through Windchill or Teamcenter PLM/PDM.
• Apply GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and perform tolerance and stack-up analyses with increasing independence.
• Support and begin to lead vendors through the fabrication cycle: coordinate design reviews, monitor build progress, and lead tool inspection and acceptance activities.
• Provide technical mentorship and design guidance to entry-level engineers on the team.
• Participate in and begin leading portions of tooling design reviews (PDR/CDR); support technical presentations for program management and customers.
• Develop and maintain cleanroom tooling protocols; support spacecraft AI&T contamination control requirements.
• Draft, review, and redline work instructions, lift plans, BOMs, and manufacturing routers for spacecraft assembly operations.
• Support root cause analyses on tooling anomalies and contribute to CAPA implementation.
• Apply ASME BTH-1, NASA SP-8077, JSC-65289, ASME Y14.100, and applicable MIL-STDs with increasing autonomy.
• Provide DFM/DFMA input to spacecraft hardware design teams; contribute to hardware design reviews as the tooling representative.

 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related STEM field.
• 2-7 years of professional experience designing tooling, fixtures, or MGSE in an aerospace or defense manufacturing environment. Equivalent combinations of education and experience considered.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (CREO, NX, CATIA V5, or equivalent) and PLM/PDM (Windchill or Teamcenter).
• Solid working knowledge of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and demonstrated experience performing tolerance and stack-up analyses.
• Demonstrated experience taking tool designs through fabrication, vendor oversight, and acceptance.
• Strong written and verbal communication; proficient in MS Office Suite.
• U.S. citizenship or equivalent ITAR eligibility; ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance.

 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Direct experience designing tooling and MGSE for spacecraft, satellites, or launch vehicles in a cleanroom AI&T environment.
• Experience with lifting/handling system design, including below-the-hook devices and spreader bar systems (ASME BTH-1).
• Exposure to optical instrument handling fixtures or gravity offload systems for deployable structures.
• Experience designing large structural weldments for tooling or GSE applications — welded steel frames, integration stands, support structures, or handling fixture bases — including joint selection, weld symbol callouts per AWS A2.4, and distortion mitigation strategies.
• Structural analysis exposure (ANSYS Workbench, FEMAP/NASTRAN) for tooling qualification.
• Background in commercial or military aircraft assembly jig and fixture design.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD-100, ASME Y14.100, and NASA workmanship standards.
• Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance.

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary:  $80,000 - $165,000

• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave 

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach. 
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Onsite