Senior Aerospace Tooling & Manufacturing Design Engineer

Applied Aerospace & Defense; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Aerospace & Defense designs and manufactures advanced tooling and fixtures for aerospace production, emphasizing robust, repeatable processes. The Design / Tooling and Manufacturing Engineer will drive CAD-based tooling development, model-based definitions, and tolerance analyses to ensure manufacturability and quality.

The role collaborates across engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to create 3D models, drawings, and tooling datasets that support new product introductions and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of aerospace tooling design, mechanical design, or advanced 3D CAD modeling experience.
• 5+ years of hands-on manufacturing engineering experience in an aerospace production environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, design engineering, or related technical field.
• Proficiency in complex 3D modeling, multi-body design, surfacing, large assemblies, and detailed drawing creation.
• Strong working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and familiarity with model-based definition (MBD) workflows.

Responsibilities

• Create detailed tooling designs, fixtures, and processing aids using CAD modeling, GD&T, and tolerance analysis based on inputs from other functional groups.
• Generate derivative/secondary models, reference geometry, and tooling datasets for NC programming, inspection, assembly, and test.
• Develop layout and facility-related design elements to support production and workflow optimization.
• Validate tooling and design intent through engineering analysis, producibility reviews, and shop floor application.

Skills

Aerospace tooling design

Manufacturing engineering

3D CAD modeling

GD&T per ASME Y14.5

Model-based definition (MBD)

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Job description

Applied Aerospace & Defense designs and manufactures advanced tooling and fixtures for aerospace production, emphasizing robust, repeatable processes. The Design / Tooling and Manufacturing Engineer will drive CAD-based tooling development, model-based definitions, and tolerance analyses to ensure manufacturability and quality.

The role collaborates across engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to create 3D models, drawings, and tooling datasets that support new product introductions and