Manufacturing Engineer - Tooling

Machina Labs; Chatsworth; On-site; CAD 143,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing technology company is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to design production tooling and fixtures. This role requires expertise in SolidWorks and at least 3 years of experience in high-spec manufacturing. You will focus on creating efficient and innovative designs for tooling, ensuring quality and performance standards are met. The position offers a competitive salary of $0 - 120,000 USD annually, along with comprehensive benefits including PTO, medical, dental, and stock options.

Benefits

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

PTO

Stock Options

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years working in high-spec manufacturing.
• Practical knowledge of welding and machining processes.
• Comfortable in producing detailed work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Design production-ready tooling and fixtures.
• Establish foolproof loading and welding strategies.
• Produce detailed SolidWorks models to ASME standards.
• Source and manage fabrication shops.

Skills

SolidWorks expertise

GD&T proficiency

Fixture/jig design

Hands-on shop familiarity

MRP/ERP experience

Education

B.S. in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Measurement tools (calipers, height gages)

Job description

About Machina Labs

At Machina Labs, we’re reshaping manufacturing through advanced robotics and machine learning. Our platform uses the largest 6-axis robots on the market to form 2D sheets of metal into complex 3D parts, layer-by-layer.

Traditional sheet metal production was designed for scale, not flexibility. It relies on costly dies and tooling that make lower volume projects prohibitively slow and expensive. We’re changing that. Whether you’re a startup building a few thousand airframes or an automaker prototyping next‑generation components, Machina Labs gives you the ability to iterate and manufacture at the speed of software.

With support from the venture arms of Toyota, NVIDIA, and Lockheed Martin, we’re accelerating the future of manufacturing, one where factories are flexible, production is on‑demand, and innovation is unconstrained.

About the Role

The Manufacturing Engineer plays a key role in creating the internal manufacturing procedures, specifications, documenting processes, and developing manufacturing methods that provides standard work in the Production Department. The Manufacturing Engineer will deploy continuous improvement methods leveraging lean methodologies to reduce waste.

This position requires access to information controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), the successful candidate must be a "U.S. person" as defined in the ITAR and EAR (which generally means (i) be a citizen or national of the United States; or (ii) be a lawful permanent resident of the United States; or (iii) have been admitted to the United States as a refugee, or have been granted asylum, as specified under applicable law).

What You'll Do:

• Design production‑ready tooling: quick‑change nests, soft jaws, vacuum plates, clamps, and AWS D17.1-informed weld fixtures (purge dams/manifolds, chill blocks, heat sinks, ceramic backing).
• Establish datum strategies and poka‑yoke features for foolproof loading, minimal distortion, and consistent weld penetration.
• Create robotic forming and welding fixtures (turntables/positioners, EOAT, torch mounts) with clear routing for cables, gas, and sensors.
• Produce fully‑detailed SolidWorks models/drawings (weldments, sheet metal, configurations, exploded views, BOMs) to ASME Y14.5 with clean GD&T and tolerance stacks.
• Release tool designs through PDM/MRP, generate BOMs, routings, and standard work/work instructions for the floor.
• Run basic FEA/deflection checks (SolidWorks Simulation or equivalent) to validate stiffness and locate supports/clamps.
• Support build/prove‑out: fit checks, on‑floor tweaks, parameter windows, and design revisions via ECR/ECO.
• Source and manage outside fabricators/machine shops; verify capability, cost, and schedule.
• Maintain a tooling standards library (locating hardware, De‑Sta‑Co/pneumatic/hydraulic clamping, sensors, safety interlocks).

What We're Looking For:

• B.S. in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years designing fixtures/jigs for machining and/or welding in aerospace/defense or similar high‑spec manufacturing.
• Expert SolidWorks: parts/assemblies, drawings, weldments, sheet metal, configurations, design tables, PDM.
• Strong GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and tolerance stack‑up skills; designs that are CMM‑friendly and inspection‑ready.
• Practical knowledge of AWS D17.1 considerations (joint prep, purge, distortion control) and thin‑wall metallic assemblies.
• Hands‑on shop familiarity: machining processes, fastening, alignment, metrology (calipers, height gages, indicators), safe ergonomics.
• Comfortable releasing through MRP/ERP, generating BOMs, and writing clear work instructions.

Bonus Points For:

• Experience with robotic welding/forming fixtures, EOAT, positioners, and torch/nozzle accessibility.
• Materials know‑how for tooling: aluminum, steel/SST, tool steels, etc.
• Knowledge of vacuum work‑holding, pneumatic/hydraulic clamping, prox/reed sensors, and safety interlocks.
• Exposure to **AS9100/NADCAP

Machina Labs is an Affir­mu­ative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity employer and considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with state and federal law.

We endeavor to make the job application process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability that impacts your ability to complete the job application process and would like to request assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please contact us at (888)444‑9777. This contact information is for accommodation requests only, not to inquire about the status of applications.

0 - 120000 USD a year

In addition to the provided hourly range, this role also offers, comprehensive benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), PTO, and Stock Options.