Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer - Production Tooling, Fixtures & NPI Support - $125k to $165k Base + Bonus - Santa Ana, CA / Onsite - Nationally Recognized Aerospace, Space & Defense Company

This Jobot Job is hosted by: Billy Surch
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Salary: $120,000 - $160,000 per year

A bit about us:

Our client is a vertically integrated design, engineering, and manufacturing partner to leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies. Our work spans three core markets - space and launch systems, defense aviation and airborne systems, and C5ISR and precision strike - and we build hardware that has to survive extreme operating environments. Across a nationwide footprint of advanced manufacturing facilities, we support rapid prototyping, new product development, large-scale production, and aftermarket sustainment for enduring platforms.

Why join us?

Base salary $125k-$160k+
Medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k)
Generous PTO, sick leave, and paid holidays
Full-lifecycle ownership: you define the tooling, validate it, and fix it when production finds the edge cases
Decades of manufacturing heritage with a balanced mix of next-gen development programs and long-running production work
Clear technical growth path - mechanical design into broader manufacturing engineering leadership

Job Details

You'll design the production tooling, fixtures, and processing aids that support aerospace manufacturing across multiple product families - machining, assembly, test, and inspection - working from concepts, sketches, models, or verbal input from engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production.

Create detailed tooling, fixture, and processing aid designs using 3D CAD, GD&T, and tolerance analysis
Generate derivative and secondary models, reference geometry, and tooling datasets for NC programming, inspection, assembly, and test
Validate tooling and design intent through engineering analysis, producibility reviews, and shop floor application
Support design and modification of test equipment, including hydraulic and pneumatic systems
Lead root cause investigations and corrective actions using structured methods (8D, RCCA, DMAIC), and own configuration management, revision control, and technical accuracy of models and drawings

Looking for:
Strong 3D CAD skills - SolidWorks, CATIA, or NX; multi-body design, surfacing, large assemblies, and detailed drawings
Working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5; familiarity with model-based definition (MBD) workflows
Strong communicator who works well cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, and production

Experience in any of the following areas welcomed:
Machine shop / CNC manufacturing environments
Composites manufacturing
Hydraulic and pneumatic test equipment
Assembly, test, machining, and inspection tooling
Lean design, ergonomics, and cost-out / cycle-time reduction projects
NPI and new product development support

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