Mechanical Engineer- Tooling

nLIGHT, Inc.; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 105,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4 weeks paid time off

11 paid holidays

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition Assistance Program

Health Vision Dental paid by employer

Paid Family Leave

Disability coverage

401k with company match

Job summary

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems is seeking a Tooling Design Engineer to develop and produce advanced tooling, fixtures, and test equipment for High Energy Laser weapon systems. You will work with engineering and production teams to improve safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability in assembly and testing of complex electro-optical systems.

Applicants must be eligible for a U.S. DoD security clearance; preference for those with existing clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Optical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years designing tooling, fixtures, or support equipment in engineering/manufacturing environments.
• Experience with low-volume, high-precision systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, validate, and implement tooling and support equipment across manufacturing, integration, and testing.
• Lead mechanical design efforts on concurrent projects balancing short-term needs with long-term goals.
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Manufacturing and Software teams to meet requirements.
• Create CAD models, drawings, and documentation for fabrication, assembly, testing, and maintenance.
• Perform tolerance studies, structural evaluations, and design verification to ensure safety and reliability.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, quality, ergonomics, and process effectiveness.
• Support procurement, fabrication, deployment, and coordination with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Provide technical support during integration and testing, troubleshooting tooling issues.

Skills

Attention to detail

Cross-functional teamwork

Clear communication

Project prioritization

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Optical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Location

Longmont, CO (onsite)

Experience

A minimum of 5+ years of experience in designing tooling, or support equipment. Experience with low volume, high precision systems is preferred.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Optical Engineering, or related technical field.

Compensation

$105,000-$140,000 based on experience

Who We Are

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is one of the nation's leading developers of Directed Energy systems, which is a top modernization priority of the Department of Defense. Our High Energy Laser (HEL) systems, Adaptive Optical (AO) systems, and Acquisition / Pointing / Tracking (APT) solutions are designed to overcome the most difficult challenges facing the deployment of high energy laser solutions to the United States military and our allies. Located in Longmont, Colorado, nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems, Inc. is a vertically integrated business that leverages internal capabilities - from semiconductor device through target identification - to develop systems that are both high-performance and cost-effective. We continue to invest in capabilities, facilities and technology to bring leading edge HEL solutions to the warfighter. This is a great opportunity to work at a company that is on the leading edge of the HEL industry and provides a culture of excellence and commitment to delivering solutions to the warfighter and our country.

Headquartered in Camas, Washington, nLIGHT is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: LASR).

Summary

nLIGHT-DEFENSE Systems is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Tooling Design Engineer to support the development and production of advanced High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon systems. This role is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of specialized tooling, fixtures, test equipment, and support systems used throughout manufacturing, integration, and testing operations.

As a member of a newly established team supporting the HADES product line, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering and production teams to develop innovative solutions that improve safety, quality, efficiency, and repeatability in the assembly and testing of complex electro-optical systems. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the successful production of cutting-edge defense technologies in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment.

All applicants must possess or be qualified to obtain a U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance. Further information on requirements to obtain a security clearance is available at: https://www.dcsa.mil/mc/pv/mbi/gicp/.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary engineering and production environment to design, analyze, validate, and implement tooling and support equipment ranging from precision mechanical fixtures to electronic test stands and optical alignment systems.
• Lead mechanical design efforts for multiple concurrent projects, balancing short-turnaround tooling needs with larger, long-term development initiatives.
• Partner with Mechanical, Electrical, Optical, Manufacturing, and Software Engineering teams to define requirements, evaluate design concepts, and ensure tooling solutions meet technical, schedule, and operational objectives.
• Create detailed CAD models, engineering drawings, and documentation packages that support fabrication, assembly, testing, and maintenance activities.
• Perform engineering analyses, including tolerance studies, structural evaluations, and design verification activities, to ensure tooling meets performance, safety, and reliability requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, ergonomics, and operational effectiveness through innovative tooling and process solutions.
• Support the procurement, fabrication, assembly, and deployment of tooling and support equipment while coordinating with internal stakeholders and external vendors as required.
• Provide technical support during integration, testing, and production activities, troubleshooting tooling-related issues and implementing corrective actions when necessary.

Required Experience / Capability

• Commitment to Excellence. Attention to Detail. Pride in Workmanship.
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and pride in workmanship.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience designing and developing tooling, fixtures, or support equipment in an engineering, manufacturing, or production environment. Experience supporting low-volume, high-precision systems is preferred.
• Strong proficiency with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, with SolidWorks preferred, and a thorough understanding of engineering drawing standards, tolerance analysis, and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Working knowledge of material properties, manufacturing processes, machining methods, and fabrication techniques, with the ability to incorporate these considerations into practical design solutions.
• Understanding of precision weldments, structural fabrication methods, and associated manufacturing capabilities.
• Proficiency in engineering analysis techniques, including hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), to validate and optimize designs.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, and collaborative environment where priorities, schedules, and requirements may evolve rapidly.
• Experience with pressure testing, fluid handling systems, or liquid-cooled systems is preferred.
• Experience with optical alignment methods and tooling is preferred.
• Experience designing equipment used for lifting, transporting, or positioning large and complex systems is preferred.

Benefits Summary

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail].