Tooling Engineer

AST SpaceMobile; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AST SpaceMobile in Midland, TX is seeking a Tooling Engineer to join the MGSE team, responsible for design, fabrication, and validation of tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment used in spacecraft assembly and test.

You will prepare preliminary designs, create manufacturing drawings, and provide technical support to AIT activities, ensuring tooling meets program requirements and interfaces with other subsystems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field.
• At least 2 years of hands-on experience designing tooling, fixtures, or ground support equipment for spacecraft or aerospace manufacturing, assembly, integration and test.
• Experience with GD&T and FEM analysis is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and modeling of tooling, fixtures, jigs, and GSE for spacecraft assembly, integration and test; prepare layouts, sketches, testing requirements and interfaces.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing drawings and interface control drawings for tooling and fixtures used to handle, transport, and protect flight hardware.
• Provide technical support to AIT activities including fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of tooling and ground support equipment.
• Ensure tooling and fixtures meet program technical requirements and support structural decisions and trade-offs for tooling architectures.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize tooling concepts and interfaces.

Skills

Tooling design

GSE fixtures design

FEM analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PDM/PLM software

Inventor

Job description

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.

Position Overview

We are seeking a talented Tooling Engineer to join our satellite Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) team, responsible for the design, fabrication, and validation of tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment used in spacecraft assembly, integration, and test.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and modeling of tooling, fixtures, jigs, and GSE used in spacecraft assembly, integration, and test. Prepare preliminary designs with layouts, sketches, testing requirements, materials, processes, and tools, and define interfaces with other mechanical subsystems.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing drawings and interface control drawings for tooling and fixtures used to handle, transport, and protect flight hardware during assembly, integration, and test.
• Provide technical support to AIT activities including fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of tooling and ground support equipment.
• Responsible for the design and capability of tooling and fixtures to meet program technical requirements.
• Support structural decisions and engineering trade-offs to identify the best tooling architectures and design approaches.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field

Experience

• A minimum of 2 years of hands‑on experience designing tooling, fixtures, or ground support equipment for spacecraft or aerospace manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test.

Preferred Qualifications

• Higher degree is preferred
• Experience using PDM and PLM software is preferred
• Direct experience designing tooling and fixtures for AIT activities
• Design of large welded steel tooling and fixture assemblies
• Knowledge in GD&T is a plus
• Technical skills in FEM computer methods using standard analytical tools and classical structural analysis methods is a plus

Soft Skills

• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team with other engineers
• Flexibility/adaptability in a fast-paced & dynamic environment
• Fluent English written and verbal communication skills

Technology Stack

• CAD software (Inventor is preferred)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods
• Ability to perform light assembly work and lift items up to 50 lbs

This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and responsibilities listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands.

AST SpaceMobile is an Equal Opportunity, at will Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.