Tool Engineer 3

PDS Defense, Inc.; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct deposit

401(k)

Paid holidays

Short-term disability

Skills training

Referral bonus

Medical coverage

DailyPay

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. in Palmdale, CA is seeking a Tool Engineer 3 to design industrial machinery, tools, dies, gauges, jigs and fixtures for production and experiments. The role requires extensive CATIA work, GD&T application, and collaboration across teams to meet performance and cost targets.

The position offers a W2 associate role with pay in the $64–$69 per hour range and benefits varying by contract. Minimum security clearance is not required, but military-connected talent is encouraged to

Qualifications

• 6+ years of CATIA design experience with high proficiency in 3D modeling and detailing.
• Familiarity with ANSI, ISO and industry drawing standards.
• Efficient in writing and communication and able to manage technical details.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office suite.
• Support in design of testing and prototype fixtures.

Responsibilities

• Create drawings and tolerance stack-up analyses from sketches, prints, and layouts.
• Design components from various manufacturing processes (castings, forgings, stampings, powder metal, machined parts, molded plastics).
• Apply GD&T to drawings and ensure compliance with industry standards (ANSI/ISO).
• Participate in supplier and customer meetings to understand needs and feasibility.
• Coordinate and chair task clarification meetings with local team members.
• Complete tasks within established project timelines.

Skills

CATIA design

Technical writing

Communication

GD&T

Project coordination

Stress analysis

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) certification

Tools

Microsoft Office (Outlook/Word/Excel/PowerPoint)

Job description

Engineering

Tool Engineer 3 Palmdale, CA Posted: 9/30/2026

Job Description

Job ID#: 226562

Job Category: Engineering

Position Type: Associate - W2

Duration: 52

Shift: 1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Tool Engineer 3, in Palmdale, CA. Job ID#226562

Pay Rate: $64 - $69/hr

Job Description:

Designs industrial machinery and equipment, tools, dies, gauges, jigs, fixtures, and machine attachments required for production or experimental use, considering such factors as accessibility, economy, mobility, and performance requirements.

Basic Qualifications for Engineer Tool Design 3

• 6+ years of Catia design experience (high proficiency in 3D modeling and detailing).
• Familiarity with Industry Standards related to Detailed Drawing Requirements, ANSI, ISO, etc.
• Efficient in writing, communication and ability to manage technical details
• Proficient with Microsoft office products - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Support in the design of testing and prototype fixtures, if necessary
• Follow internal procedures and standards including customer rules and drafting guidelines
• Create drawings/tolerance stack-up analysis/exploded views/models from supplied information such as sketches, marked prints, catalog references, layouts and other information
• Design components from a variety of different manufacturing processes; e.g. castings, forgings, stampings, powdered metal, machine turned components, molded plastics
• Apply Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to drawings.
• Generate drawings in accordance with industry design standards; ANSI, ISO, etc.
• Participate in supplier and customer meetings to understand and implement needs from all sides still assuring functionality/feasibility/cost
• Coordinates and chairs necessary job/task clarification meetings with local team members as necessary
• Must complete assigned tasks within the established project timelines.
• Candidate should have a professional engineering (PE) certificate, and have the ability to perform stress analysis as well as stamp it.

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance: No Clearance

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled