Staff Engineer, Tool Design (R4967)

Shield; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Shield AI, a defense-tech company delivering autonomous systems, seeks a Senior Tool Design Engineer with 7+ years of tooling experience for aerospace applications. You will own tooling from concept to prove-out, collaborating with Manufacturing, Quality, and Safety to ensure first-time-right assembly for pilot builds through rate production.

You will design jigs and fixtures, perform FEA, generate complete design packages, and lead design reviews.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of tooling design experience in mechanical or manufacturing engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Experience in prototype manufacturing in a startup or rapid-growth environment.
• Strong understanding of machining, composites, avionics and assembly processes.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with shifting priorities.

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, gauge strategy, and dimensional validation.

Skills

7+ years tooling design experience

mechanical design

manufacturing engineering

fast-paced environment adaptability

strong understanding of manufacturing

prototype manufacturing in startup/rap

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial, Mechatronics, or related engineering

Tools

CATIA

NX

SolidWorks

3DEXPERIENCE

Teamcenter

FEA tools

GD&T

metrology fundamentals

supplier manufacturing processes

Job description

Job Description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide.

For more information, visit Follow Shield AI onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andYouTube.

Job Description: The Senior Tool Design Engineer brings 7+ years of experience developing production tooling for complex aerospace systems. This role owns tooling throughout its lifecycle (concept, design, analysis, release, fabrication, and prove-out) ensuring safe, repeatable, first-time-right assembly. You will work cross-functionally with Manufacturing, Quality, and Safety to deliver robust tooling that supports pilot builds through rate production.

What you'll do

• 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, gauge strategy, and dimensional validation.

Tools & Skills

• CATIA / NX / SolidWorks, 3DEXPERIENCE / Teamcenter, FEA tools, GD&T, metrology fundamentals, supplier manufacturing processes.

Required qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in tooling design, mechanical design, or manufacturing engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Industrial, Mechatronics, or related engineering field.
• Experience in prototype manufacturing in a startup or rapid-growth environment.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, including machining, composites, avionics and/or assembly.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment and adapt to changing priorities.

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge of quality standards, such as AS9100 or ISO 9001.
• Familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing or automation systems.
• Strong project management skills, including experience managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

* Compensation for this role is based on the position’s work location. The salary range shown reflects the listed location and may vary if the position is based in a different geographic market. Actual compensation will also consider factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity.

Full-time regular employee offer package: Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package: Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location.

All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed toequal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.