Senior Tooling Design Engineer, Airframe Manufacturing

The posting, as Astro Mechanica wrote it

ABOUT US

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.

WHO WE ARE

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.

WHO YOU ARE

You're an engineer with a strong mechanical design background and experience developing tooling systems for large and complex assemblies. You are looking for an opportunity to deploy your skills to tackle difficult manufacturing challenges and design assembly fixtures from the ground up. You thrive in a hands-on, interdisciplinary environment where you are responsible for the entire scope of the tooling project; from initial design through successful implementation. You’re able to collaborate seamlessly with manufacturing and design teams to develop elegant tooling systems that will help lay the foundation for our next-generation aircraft factory.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Own the tooling strategy for Astro Mechanica's airframe, defining the fixturing and jigging architecture that carries us from detail part through to a joined airframe
• Design and deliver large assembly fixtures for major airframe assembly, along with the drill jigs, trim and bond fixtures, layup tools, and shop aids that feed them
• Establish the locating and datum strategy across the build sequence, and own the tolerance stack-up and GD&T analysis that proves the airframe closes
• Help stand up our tooling function from scratch, 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, guiding design teams on manufacturability, tool access, and assembly approach
• Carry tooling from purchase order through build, install, and certification, whether it is made in-house or bought outside, holding the budget, schedule, and vendor choice
• Run tool proof-out and first article builds alongside the technicians who will use them, and close out whatever the trial exposes
• Define the 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 the corrective acti

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engineers and technicians while staying deeply engaged in the technical details

• Demonstrated experience and strong desire to work closely with the production team on the shop floor

NICE TO HAVE

• Experience standing up a tooling function or tool room from scratch, including equipment, vendor base, standards, and documentation
• Experience with determinant assembly and full-size airframe assembly
• FEA experience validating tool stiffness, deflection, and load paths
• CAM programming and hands-on machining experience
• Welding and weld fixture design experience, including familiarity with welded structure inspection
• Experience with laser projection systems to aid composite layup and assembly
• Experience with ply pattern generation and composite design tools (Fibersim, Composite Workbench, or similar)
• Experience with aircraft or spacecraft integration
• Experience with NDI and quality inspection methods for composite and bonded structure
• Experience transitioning tooling from prototype builds into higher rate production
• Familiarity with AS9100, NADCAP, or FAA/DoD requirements applicable to aerospace tooling
• Has owned the upkeep side of a tooling library: recertification intervals, tracking, and planned maintenance
• Experience manufacturing large structures

PERKS & BENEFITS

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan
• Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

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.