Tooling Engineer - Composites | Manufacturing Engineering

BETA Technologies; South Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite healthcare

Daily lunch provided

Flight lessons

Stock-based compensation

Job summary

BETA Technologies in Burlington, Vermont, is seeking a Composites Tooling Engineer to design, validate, and improve molds, fixtures, cure tooling, and related equipment for scalable composite-part production. You will collaborate with Composites Manufacturing, Design Engineering, Quality, and suppliers to translate product requirements into robust tooling and clear manufacturing documentation.

The role requires a Bachelor's in a related engineering field, 3+ years in manufacturing tooling, CAD

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or a related engineering discipline; equivalent relevant experience will be considered
• 3+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including design and delivery of production tooling, fixtures, or composite manufacturing equipment
• Proficiency in professional CAD and creation of engineering drawings; experience with NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or equivalent tools, including surface modeling workbenches
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and deliver complex, multi-piece tooling from requirements through production use
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and datum strategy for tooling and part interfaces
• Ability to interpret part models, engineering drawings, composite ply definitions, and manufacturing requirements
• Experience supporting aerospace composite structures or another high-reliability, regulated manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with dimensional inspection methods, including CMM, laser scanning, or geometric/scan-data analysis
• Strong communication skills across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, take ownership of ambiguous technical problems, and work safely in a hands-on manufacturing environment

Responsibilities

• Design and release composite manufacturing tooling, including molds, trim and drill fixtures, assembly fixtures, inspection fixtures, caul plates, and handling equipment
• Develop tooling concepts and detailed designs that account for part geometry, tolerances, thermal behavior, demold strategy, ergonomics, durability, inspection access, and production rate
• Own tooling from requirements capture through concept selection, CAD design, drawing release, supplier support, first-article validation, production handoff, maintenance, and continuous improvement
• Partner with Design Engineering to provide design-for-manufacturability feedback, including tooling splits, draft, ply drops, core transitions, bondline control, and access for layup, cure, trim, and inspection
• Work directly with technicians on the production floor to observe tooling use, resolve issues rapidly, reduce variation and cycle time, and improve safety and ergonomics
• Create and maintain tooling drawings, bills of material, usage instructions, inspection criteria, and maintenance requirements
• Define and support tooling acceptance activities, including dimensional verification, scan-to-CAD comparison, fit checks, first-part inspection, and capability improvements
• Coordinate with internal shops and external suppliers on fabrication approach, quoting, inspection, delivery, and tooling changes
• Support composite process development and scale-up across layup, debulk, cure, bonding, trimming, drilling, and assembly operations
• Identify cost, capacity, quality, and throughput opportunities; develop technical requirements and business cases for new tooling and equipment capability
• Contribute to standardized tooling design practices, reusable design solutions, lessons learned, and corrective-action activities for tooling-related issues

Skills

Strong communication skills

Hands-on manufacturing

Problem solving

GD&T knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Aerospace or related engineering

Tools

NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Surface modeling

Job description

At BETA Technologies, we apply our intellectual curiosity, passion for aviation, and commitment to sustainability toward a shared mission of revolutionizing electric aviation. Regardless of the position one holds, each team member brings their talent and desire to positively impact the environment and lives of others in a refreshing, vibrant, and inclusive culture.

The Composites Tooling Engineer designs, validates, and continuously improves the molds, fixtures, cure tooling, and supporting equipment that enable safe, repeatable, and scalable composite-part production. This hands-on role partners with Composites Manufacturing, Design Engineering, Quality, and suppliers to translate product requirements into robust production tooling and clear manufacturing documentation.

How you will contribute to revolutionizing electric aviation:

• Design and release composite manufacturing tooling, including molds, trim and drill fixtures, assembly fixtures, inspection fixtures, caul plates, and handling equipment
• Develop tooling concepts and detailed designs that account for part geometry, tolerances, thermal behavior, demold strategy, ergonomics, durability, inspection access, and production rate
• Own tooling from requirements capture through concept selection, CAD design, drawing release, supplier support, first-article validation, production handoff, maintenance, and continuous improvement
• Partner with Design Engineering to provide design-for-manufacturability feedback, including tooling splits, draft, ply drops, core transitions, bondline control, and access for layup, cure, trim, and inspection
• Work directly with technicians on the production floor to observe tooling use, resolve issues rapidly, reduce variation and cycle time, and improve safety and ergonomics
• Create and maintain tooling drawings, bills of material, usage instructions, inspection criteria, and maintenance requirements
• Define and support tooling acceptance activities, including dimensional verification, scan-to-CAD comparison, fit checks, first-part inspection, and capability improvements
• Coordinate with internal shops and external suppliers on fabrication approach, quoting, inspection, delivery, and tooling changes
• Support composite process development and scale-up across layup, debulk, cure, bonding, trimming, drilling, and assembly operations
• Identify cost, capacity, quality, and throughput opportunities; develop technical requirements and business cases for new tooling and equipment capability
• Contribute to standardized tooling design practices, reusable design solutions, lessons learned, and corrective-action activities for tooling-related issues

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace, or a related engineering discipline; equivalent relevant experience will be considered
• 3+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, including design and delivery of production tooling, fixtures, or composite manufacturing equipment
• Proficiency in professional CAD and creation of engineering drawings; experience with NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, or equivalent tools, including surface modeling workbenches
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and deliver complex, multi-piece tooling from requirements through production use
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and datum strategy for tooling and part interfaces
• Ability to interpret part models, engineering drawings, composite ply definitions, and manufacturing requirements
• Experience supporting aerospace composite structures or another high-reliability, regulated manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with dimensional inspection methods, including CMM, laser scanning, or geometric/scan-data analysis
• Strong communication skills across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, take ownership of ambiguous technical problems, and work safely in a hands-on manufacturing environment

Above and Beyond Qualifications:

• Knowledge of composite processes such as prepreg layup, resin infusion/VARTM, compression molding, wet layup, or out-of-autoclave curing
• Experience with machining, CNC programming considerations, additive manufacturing, and fabrication methods for composite tooling
• Experience designing tooling for high-temperature cure processes and managing coefficient-of-thermal-expansion effects
• Familiarity with PLM/PDM, configuration control, change management, and manufacturing-document release processes
• Working knowledge of Python, MATLAB, VBA, or other automation tools used for engineering workflows, inspection analysis, or manufacturing data

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

This role is based in Burlington/South Burlington, Vermont and requires regular presence on the production floor. The engineer must be able to stand, walk, bend, and crouch for extended periods and occasionally lift or handle tooling components. Work may involve exposure to composite materials, resins, and curing agents; appropriate PPE is required. The environment includes both office and manufacturing settings, with varying noise levels and temperature conditions typical of an active aircraft production facility

The wage listed here reflects our best faith estimate for this role. We pay competitively and base compensation on a variety of factors including skills, experience, industry background, and the evolving needs of the role. We remain committed to fair and equitable pay and we're happy to discuss during the interview process.

Compensation

$85,000 - $115,000 USD

Build electric airplanes with us!

BETA offers a competitive Total Compensation package designed to support you now and as you grow with us. This role includes both Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units for all full-time team members, so everyone shares in our success. You’ll have access to onsite healthcare in Vermont, comprehensive medical coverage, dental and vision, short- and long-term disability, and paid parental leave. We also take care of the everyday details with daily lunch provided, and yes - flight lessons are part of the experience, along with a range of additional perks that make work here genuinely rewarding.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, veteran or military status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. BETA complies with all applicable federal, state and local non-discrimination laws and does not tolerate discrimination of any kind in our workplace.

Employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. BETA Technologies participates in E-Verify.