Engineer Tool Design

PDS Tech Commercial; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

9/80 work schedule

Aerospace tooling exposure

Career growth opportunities

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401K plan

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking an Engineer Tool Design in Palmdale, CA to transform engineering concepts into precision tooling and fixtures for aerospace programs. The role emphasizes CATIA design, GD&T application, and producing manufacturable drawings and models.

The candidate will develop tooling and fixtures, apply industry standards, and collaborate with customers and suppliers to balance performance, manufacturability, and cost within project timelines.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of CATIA design experience.
• Familiarity with detailed drawing requirements and industry standards (ANSI/ISO).
• Experience applying GD&T to engineering drawings.
• Ability to create drawings, models, tolerance analyses, and exploded views.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage complex technical information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to manage priorities and meet project schedules.

Responsibilities

• Design industrial machinery, tools, dies, gauges, jigs, fixtures, and machine attachments for production and experimental applications.
• Develop designs with accessibility, economy, mobility, functionality, and performance in mind.
• Create detailed drawings, 3D models, exploded views, and tolerance analyses from sketches and reference data.
• Apply GD&T to engineering drawings and generate drawings per ANSI/ISO standards.
• Coordinate with suppliers and customers to understand requirements and balance functionality, feasibility, and cost.
• Lead meetings to clarify work scope with local team members and manage technical details within project timelines.

Skills

CATIA design

GD&T

ANSI/ISO standards

3D modeling

Engineering drawings

MS Office

Communication skills

Tools

CATIA

Job description

Engineer Tool Design

Turn complex engineering concepts into production-ready solutions that help shape the future of aviation.

Location: Palmdale, CA 93550

Job Type: Full-Time, 4-Month Contract

Schedule: Monday-Friday | 9/80 Schedule

Pay Rate: $58.53 per hour

Design the Tools Behind Cutting-Edge Aviation

PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a leader in the aviation and aerospace industry, to hire an Engineer Tool Design in Palmdale, California.

If you have deep CATIA expertise, a strong understanding of GD&T, and a talent for transforming engineering requirements into precise, manufacturable designs, this is an opportunity to put those skills to work on sophisticated aerospace programs.

In this role, you'll support the Tool Design department by developing the tooling, fixtures, equipment, and detailed engineering solutions required for production and experimental applications. Your work will directly contribute to manufacturing efficiency, functionality, and performance.

What You'll Do

• Design industrial machinery and equipment, tools, dies, gauges, jigs, fixtures, and machine attachments for production and experimental applications.
• Develop designs with accessibility, economy, mobility, functionality, and performance requirements in mind.
• Create detailed drawings, 3D models, exploded views, and tolerance stack‑up analyses from sketches, marked prints, layouts, catalog references, and other supplied information.
• Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to engineering drawings.
• Generate drawings in accordance with applicable ANSI, ISO, and industry design standards.
• Design components utilizing a variety of manufacturing processes, including castings, forgings, stampings, powdered metal, machined/turned components, and molded plastics.
• Support the design of testing and prototype fixtures as needed.
• Follow internal procedures, customer requirements, drafting guidelines, and engineering standards.
• Participate in supplier and customer meetings to understand requirements and develop solutions that balance functionality, feasibility, and cost.
• Coordinate and lead job or task clarification meetings with local team members as necessary.
• Manage technical details effectively while completing assigned work within established project timelines.

Required Qualifications

We're looking for an experienced engineering professional who brings:

• 5+ years of CATIA design experience, with high proficiency in 3D modeling and detailing.
• Strong familiarity with detailed drawing requirements and industry standards, including ANSI and ISO.
• Experience applying GD&T to engineering drawings.
• Ability to create drawings, models, tolerance stack‑up analyses, and exploded views.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage complex technical information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage priorities and complete assigned tasks within established project schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates will stand out with:

• Experience designing aerospace tooling, production fixtures, or prototype/testing fixtures.
• Knowledge of multiple manufacturing processes and their impact on component design.
• Experience collaborating directly with customers, suppliers, manufacturing teams, and engineering stakeholders.
• Strong problem‑solving skills with an ability to balance technical performance, manufacturability, feasibility, and cost.
• Experience working within highly regulated aviation, aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.

Why Join Us?

At PDS Tech Commercial, we connect talented professionals with opportunities to contribute to some of the aviation industry's most exciting and technically challenging programs.

This opportunity offers:

• Competitive pay of $58.53 per hour
• 9/80 work schedule
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced aerospace and engineering professionals
• Exposure to complex tooling and advanced manufacturing challenges
• An environment where precision, collaboration, innovation, and technical expertise matter
• The opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to programs at the forefront of aviation and aerospace

Whether you're developing a fixture, refining a complex 3D model, or solving a challenging manufacturability issue, your expertise will help turn engineering concepts into solutions that perform.

Massachusetts Candidates Only

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pay Details: $58.53 per hour

Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• short-term disability
• additional voluntary benefits
• EAP program
• commuter benefits
• 401K plan
• Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable