Designer III

DPP is seeking a Designer III for an opportunity with our client in the Aerospace & Defense industry.


Work location : Onsite in Hagerstown, MD
Duration : 12 months
Terms : W2 contract
Work authorization : US Citizen


Position summary :

• In this role, you will apply advanced engineering and design skills to create highly complex tooling solutions that support aircraft modification, component sub-assembly, and integrated manufacturing operations.
• Your work will span concept development through fabrication support, covering jigs, fixtures, lifting devices, and semi-automated tooling systems.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, refine, and review tooling layouts, detailed 2D drawings, and 3D models for clarity, accuracy, safety, and manufacturability.
• Identify design errors, interferences, and process risks; recommend corrective actions and improvements.
• Collaborate closely with product engineering, manufacturing, and operations to ensure tooling supports efficient, repeatable producibility across build, test, and field use environments.
• Support design verification and functional tryout of tools, ensuring completeness from initial concept through final acceptance.
• Assist in developing acceptance criteria for in-house or outsourced tooling fabrication.
• Provide hands-on design support for integrating new processes, improving existing workflows, and enabling ergonomic, safe, and cost-effective production.

Mechanical Tooling Design:
This position centers on mechanical tooling design for aircraft integration and component manufacturing.

• Develop CAD-based design concepts using 3D Xperience, 3D modeling tools, and detailed 2D drafting practices.
• Participate actively in concept generation, design reviews, and process development within a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Exercise considerable autonomy in determining design approaches, engineering solutions, and decision-making.
• Lead design efforts for tooling including jigs, fixtures, lifting/support equipment, assembly aids, and semi-automated or ergonomic production tools.
• Ensure design intent is maintained through fabrication, tooling tryout, and production integration.
• Provide technical guidance to engineering, fabrication shops, and operations on tooling requirements and best practices.
• Support producibility improvements, field-use considerations, and sustainment tooling needs.

Education and experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related field, typically with 6+ years of relevant experience.
• Advanced degrees may substitute for relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of mechanical engineering fundamentals, GD&T, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with computer-aided engineering (CAE/CAD) tools.
• Comfortable working in multi-disciplinary engineering teams and fast-paced development environments.

Work environment - physical, mental, emotional requirements:

• Frequent walking, sitting, standing, and climbing stairs.
• Frequent repetitive hand/arm motions, requiring dexterity with design tools and computer interfaces.
• Rare lifting or carrying up to 20 lbs.
• Rare exposure to fumes, chemicals, or loud noise environments.

Interested? Learn more:
Click the apply button or contact our recruiter Nikki at View email address on click.appcast.io to learn more about this position (#26-00637).

US Citizen: This role may require the ability to obtain a US security clearance, which requires a thorough background search and US citizenship. Residency requirements may apply. EOE/AA/V/D

DPP offers a range of compensation and benefits packages to our employees and their eligible dependents. Call today to learn more about working with DPP.