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About the Role

Astro Mechanica is seeking an experienced engineer with a strong mechanical design background to develop tooling systems for large and complex assemblies. This role involves designing assembly fixtures from the ground up, collaborating with manufacturing and design teams, and owning the entire scope of tooling projects from initial design through successful implementation. You will play a key role in establishing the foundation for our next-generation aircraft factory.

Responsibilities

Own the tooling strategy for Astro Mechanica's airframe, defining the fixturing and jigging architecture.
Design and deliver large assembly fixtures, drill jigs, trim and bond fixtures, layup tools, and shop aids.
Establish locating and datum strategy, and own tolerance stack-up and GD&T analysis.
Help establish the tooling function, including design standards, drawing practice, tool numbering, vendor base, and proof-out process.
Serve as the technical authority on tooling for composite and metallic airframe structure.
Carry tooling from purchase order through build, install, and certification, managing budget, schedule, and vendor choice.
Run tool proof-out and first article builds alongside technicians.
Define metrology approach for tool certification and recertification, and interpret laser tracker and CMM results.
Mentor early-career tool designers and technicians, and build out the team's design review practice.
Own the investigation when a tool is implicated in a defect and drive corrective action.
Hold tooling to ergonomic, safety, quality, and documentation standards.
Plan the transition of tooling from prototype builds toward higher rate production, designing for reuse and scalability.
Seek out new tooling technologies and methods to improve build speed, accuracy, and repeatability.

Requirements

7+ years of experience designing aircraft or aerospace tooling and assembly fixturing, including full lifecycle ownership.
Demonstrated experience designing both large monolithic assembly fixtures and small detail tooling.
Strong hands-on experience with composite assemblies, including cure tooling, bond fixtures, and tooling implications of various processes.
Practical experience with weldments and machined metallic structure.
Expert proficiency in an industry standard 3D CAD system, preferably NX, including large assembly management and surfacing.
Applied experience with GD&T and detailed tolerance stack-up analysis.
Demonstrated experience defining locating and datum schemes for large, complex primary structure.
Experience with metrology-driven assembly using laser tracker, CMM, or photogrammetry.
Experience selecting tool materials and fabrication methods.
Experience owning tooling budget, schedule, vendor selection, and delivery.
Experience leading DFM initiatives and working closely with design teams.
Ability to work directly from engineering drawings, CAD models, and evolving build definitions.
Proven ability to lead and mentor engineers and technicians while staying deeply engaged in technical details.
Demonstrated experience and strong desire to work closely with the production team on the shop floor.
Experience standing up a tooling function or tool room from scratch (Nice to Have).
Experience with determinant assembly and full-size airframe assembly (Nice to Have).
FEA experience validating tool stiffness, deflection, and load paths (Nice to Have).
CAM programming and hands-on machining experience (Nice to Have).
Welding and weld fixture design experience (Nice to Have).
Experience with laser projection systems (Nice to Have).
Experience with ply pattern generation and composite design tools (Nice to Have).
Experience with aircraft or spacecraft integration (Nice to Have).
Experience with NDI and quality inspection methods (Nice to Have).
Experience transitioning tooling from prototype builds into higher rate production (Nice to Have).
Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or FAA/DoD requirements (Nice to Have).
Experience owning the upkeep of a tooling library (Nice to Have).
Experience manufacturing large structures (Nice to Have).

Skills

Mechanical design
Tooling systems development
Assembly fixture design
GD&T analysis
Tolerance stack-up analysis
3D CAD (NX preferred)
Large assembly management
Surfacing
Metrology
Laser tracker
CMM
Photogrammetry
DFM
Composite assembly tooling
Weldment design
Machined metallic structure design

Location

Onsite

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

Senior

Education Level

Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) program
Transparent stock option plan
Self-managed and flexible time-off policy
PTO
Paid holidays
Sick time

About the Company

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future.
Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable.
We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods.
We are integrating advanced airframe and engine technologies with a new flight operations model.
In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems for the United States government.
We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace.
We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well.
We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

Equal Opportunity

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer.
We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.