Senior Tool Design Engineer - Aerospace Tooling

Shield AI; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI in Seattle is seeking a Senior Tool Design Engineer with 7+ years experience in aerospace tooling. You will own tooling throughout its lifecycle from concept to prove-out, collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, and Safety to enable pilot builds through rate production.

You will design jigs, fixtures, gauges, and protective tooling using CATIA/NX/SolidWorks, perform FEA, and generate complete Tool Design Packages while leading design reviews and coordinating shop-floor fabrication.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in tooling design or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/aerospace/industrial engineering.
• Experience prototyping in startup or rapid-growth environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including machining, composites, avionics and/or assembly.

Responsibilities

• Translate GD&T, key characteristics, and CTQs into tooling requirements (datums, locators, clamps, tolerances, ergonomics, ESD/FOD controls).
• Design assembly jigs, drill/bond fixtures, composites molds & trim fixtures, go/no-go gauges, lifting/handling carts, and protective tooling using CATIA/NX/SolidWorks.
• Conduct FEA and hand calculations to confirm stiffness, clamp loads, safety factors, and ergonomics.
• Generate complete Tool Design Packages including 3D models, 2D drawings with GD&T, BOM, torque/fastener specs, materials/finishes, lifting points, and safety labeling.
• Lead design reviews with ME, Quality, Safety, and Launch teams; perform human-factors evaluations.
• Manage tool fabrication, oversee NCR/ECR resolution, and support shop-floor prove-out.
• Develop Tool Setup & Care Instructions, PM plans, and inspection checklists.
• Support First Article activities including CMM/laser-tracker alignment, gage strategy, and dimensional validation.

Skills

CATIA/SolidWorks

3DEXPERIENCE/Teamcenter

FEA/Calculations

GD&T/Metrology

Manufacturing processes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Industrial Engineering

Tools

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

3DEXPERIENCE

Teamcenter

FEA tools

Job description

Shield AI in Seattle is seeking a Senior Tool Design Engineer with 7+ years experience in aerospace tooling. You will own tooling throughout its lifecycle from concept to prove-out, collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, and Safety to enable pilot builds through rate production.

You will design jigs, fixtures, gauges, and protective tooling using CATIA/NX/SolidWorks, perform FEA, and generate complete Tool Design Packages while leading design reviews and coordinating shop-floor fabrication.