2026 Associate Tool Engineer - Sunnyvale CA

Northrop Grumman; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems in Sunnyvale, CA, seeks entry-level engineers to support design and fabrication of tooling and assemblies. You will create 3D models (NX preferred) and production drawings, while developing tooling concepts for current programs and ensuring documentation communicates technical intent clearly.

You will collaborate with internal teams to capture requirements, support manufacturing, and conduct first-article inspections to ensure quality and schedule adherence.

Qualifications

• Be completing or has completed a degree from an accredited institution in a STEM field.
• Majoring in any STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math).
• Ability to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Ability to obtain Special Access Program clearances as needed.
• Experience in 3D CAD modeling using standard commercial CAD software.
• Experience in 2D drafting and drawing creation from 3D models.
• Exposure to design and fabrication of tooling and assemblies.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal customers and project teams to capture functional and performance requirements.
• Develop initial tooling concepts addressing program needs.
• Design and documentation: create detailed 3D models (NX preferred) and 2D drawings; define fabrication and procurement specs.
• Provide hands-on technical support to manufacturing teams and vendors during fabrication.
• Perform first-article and in-process inspections to verify conformance to specs.
• Troubleshoot fabrication issues to maintain quality and schedule.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

2D drafting

Fabrication tooling exposure

NX CAD

ERP system

Teamcenter/Windchill PLM

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Master’s degree in STEM

PhD in STEM

Tools

Siemens Teamcenter

Windchill

Job description

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is a trusted provider of mission-enabling solutions for global security. We have a wide portfolio of secure, affordable, integrated, and multi-domain systems and technologies. Our differentiated battle management and cyber solutions deliver timely, mission-enabling information and provide superior situational awareness and understanding to protect the U.S. and its global allies.

Entry Level opportunities at Northrop Grumman are unique. Are you interested in boosting your knowledge through experience and exposure, while supporting a mission that seeks to protect our nation and its allies? If so, then Northrop Grumman is the place you!

Our professionals live and breathe different perspectives; we are curious about the world, accepting each other, and aware that the more ideas, backgrounds, opinions and experiences we bring to our work, the stronger that work will be. Just as you would invest your time and hard work into our company, we focus on investing back into you through enriching professional experiences and high-quality learning and development opportunities. We want you to bring your whole self to work, and for you to have meaningful connections with your coworkers, customers and communities, while providing the best products, systems and technologies to protect our world.

The qualified candidate will become part of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems in Sunnyvale, CA.

• Collaborate with internal customers and project teams to capture functional and performance requirements.
• Develop initial tooling concepts that address new and existing program needs.
• Design & Documentation - Create detailed 3D CAD models (NX preferred) and production 2D drawings specifying fit, form, and function. - Develop fabrication requirements that incorporate standardized manufacturing instructions (ERP system), along with procurement specifications and inspection plans to guide the production process. - Ensure design documentation clearly communicates technical intent,
• Provide hands-on technical support to in-house manufacturing teams and vendors during fabrication.
• Perform first-article and in-process inspections to validate that manufacturing outputs meet design specifications and performance targets.
• Troubleshoot and resolve fabrication issues to maintain quality and schedule.

Basic Qualifications

• Be completing or has completed their degree (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD) from an accredited institution
• Be majoring in or having majored in Bachelor's in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology Engineering or Math)
• Be able to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance (U.S. citizenship is a pre-requisite)
• The ability to obtain Special Access Program within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
• Experience in 3D CAD modeling using standard commercial CAD software.
• Experience in 2D drafting and drawing creation from 3D models.
• Exposure to design and fabrication of special tooling and assemblies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.00/4.0 or higher
• PLM experience such as Siemens Teamcenter or Windchill.
• Attention to detail, consistently delivering high-quality drawings to meet requirements.
• Passion for design, i.e. enthusiasm for designing, building, and supporting tools or machinery.
• Excellent communication and written skills; able to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences and produce high‑quality documentation.

Salary Range

$ 69,400.00 to $104,000.00

campusjobs

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.