Lead Tooling Design Engineer – Aerospace/Defense

Northrop Grumman Corp. (JP); Sunnyvale (CA); Hybrid; USD 104,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Principal Tooling Design Engineer to join our Sunnyvale, CA team, focusing on concept through release of tooling for naval systems. You will design, document, and support tooling using NX and other CAD tools, ensuring quality and manufacturability.

The role requires strong collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and project teams, with emphasis on delivering high-quality drawings, fabrication specs, and timely issue resolution in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) with a minimum of 5 years of technical experience in design for manufacturing (DMF); master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of experience.
• Experience in 3D CAD modeling using standard commercial CAD software.
• Experience in 2D drafting and drawing creation from 3D models.
• Experience modifying existing 2D drawings and 3D CAD models.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal customers and project teams to capture functional and performance requirements.
• Develop initial tooling concepts, feasibility studies, and cost-benefit analyses 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; note that any changes requiring formal documentation updates must be submitted to the Tooling Configuration Control Analyst.
• 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.
• Act as the technical point of contact, ensuring that all design revisions are properly documented and routed through the Tooling Configuration Control Analyst.

Skills

3D CAD modeling

2D drafting

GD&T

Communication

Leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree in STEM

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

CATIA

Siemens NX

Job description

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is seeking a Principal Tooling Design Engineer to join our Sunnyvale, CA team, focusing on concept through release of tooling for naval systems. You will design, document, and support tooling using NX and other CAD tools, ensuring quality and manufacturability.

The role requires strong collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and project teams, with emphasis on delivering high-quality drawings, fabrication specs, and timely issue resolution in a fast-paced