Senior Tooling Design Architect

Northrop Grumman; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Savings Plan

Paid Time Off

Education Assistance

Training and Development

9/80 Work Schedule

Job summary

Northrop Grumman in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a Senior Principal Tooling Design Engineer to lead complex tooling design for naval systems. You will create NX-based 3D models, develop fabrication specs, and coordinate documentation with manufacturing and project teams.

The role emphasizes leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and adherence to GD&T standards, with opportunities to mentor junior engineers and drive continuous improvement across tool design processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in a STEM discipline with a minimum of 8 years of technical experience in design for manufacturing; master’s degree with 6 years.
• 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 for new and existing needs.
• Design & Documentation - Create detailed 3D CAD models (NX preferred) and production 2D drawings specifying fit, form, and function.
• Develop fabrication requirements with ERP system, procurement specs, and inspection plans.
• Ensure design documentation clearly communicates technical intent and changes are 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 design outputs.
• Troubleshoot and resolve fabrication issues to maintain quality and schedule.
• Act as technical point of contact for design revisions routed through the Tooling Configuration Control Analyst.

Skills

Design leadership

Cross-functional teams

GD&T

Documentation

Communication

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor’s in STEM (DMF)

Master’s in STEM

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

CATIA

SiemensNX

NX drafting

Job description

Northrop Grumman in Sunnyvale, CA, is seeking a Senior Principal Tooling Design Engineer to lead complex tooling design for naval systems. You will create NX-based 3D models, develop fabrication specs, and coordinate documentation with manufacturing and project teams.

The role emphasizes leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and adherence to GD&T standards, with opportunities to mentor junior engineers and drive continuous improvement across tool design processes.