Build Engineer - Tooling

Medium; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-speed aircraft manufacturer is seeking an experienced candidate to design and build tooling for R&D activities. You will collaborate with engineers and prototype fabricators, ensuring all designs meet quality and safety standards. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and 3+ years of relevant experience in aerospace or a related industry. The position is based in Los Angeles, offering a salary of $110,000 - $180,000 per year.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in tooling or structural design, prototype development, or mechanical systems engineering.
• Experience within aerospace, automotive, or a related industry.

Responsibilities

• Design and build novel tooling using CAD software for R&D activities.
• Collaborate with engineers to define tooling requirements.
• Partner with machine shops to rapidly fabricate prototypes.
• Conduct tooling trials and validations for design refinements.
• Ensure tooling meets ergonomic and safety requirements.

Skills

Prototype fabrication methods

CAD software proficiency

Problem-solving skills

Collaboration skills

Knowledge of GD&T

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

NX

Job description

Overview

Hermeus is a high-speed aircraft manufacturer focused on the rapid design, build, and test of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft for the national interest. Working directly with the Department of Defense, Hermeus delivers capabilities that will ensure that our nation, and our allies, maintain an asymmetric advantage over any and all potential adversaries.

Responsibilities

• Design and build novel tooling, fixtures, and integration aids using CAD software to support R&D activities, prototype builds, and test campaigns.
• Collaborate with structural, manufacturing, and test engineers to define tooling requirements for one-off and low-rate development programs.
• Partner with internal and external machine shops to rapidly fabricate prototypes, with a focus on agility, adaptability, and proof-of-concept demonstration.
• Explore and evaluate emerging fabrication methods and advanced materials (e.g., additive manufacturing, composites) to push the boundaries of tooling performance.
• Conduct tooling trials, experiments, and validations to inform design refinements and accelerate technology maturation.
• Continuously identify opportunities to simplify, automate, or improve prototype tooling to enhance speed, accuracy, and repeatability in R&D workflows.
• Provide innovative solutions to complex integration and assembly challenges, often where no precedent exists.
• Develop and maintain clear documentation of CAD models, experimental data, and usage guidelines to support knowledge transfer and future scaling.
• Ensure all tooling meets ergonomic, safety, and operational requirements appropriate for development environments.
• Act as a bridge between engineering and prototype build teams, resolving tooling-related issues quickly to keep R&D milestones on track.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in tooling or structural design, prototype development, or mechanical systems engineering within aerospace, automotive, or a related industry.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Hands-on experience with prototype fabrication methods including machining, additive manufacturing, composites, and rapid prototyping.
• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX) for tooling design and iteration.
• Knowledge of GD&T and ability to interpret and apply engineering drawings to prototype development.
• Familiarity with R&D environments and early-stage design-build-test cycles for high-performance aerospace systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to experiment, adapt, and iterate quickly in ambiguous development settings.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, prototype build, and test teams.
• Knowledge of lean prototyping and continuous improvement principles in low-volume, experimental environments.

Compensation

$110,000 - $180,000 a year

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.