Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is looking for you to join our team as a Principal Tooling Design Engineer based out of Sunnyvale, CA.
The selected tool designer candidate will be responsible for concept generation, detailed 3D CAD design, fabrication drawings, and support during production. The Designer ensures that tooling meets all performance, quality, and safety requirements, while serving as the primary technical liaison between engineering, manufacturing, and project management teams. Assesses project issues and develops resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and client-satisfaction goals and objectives.
What You’ll get to Do:
Collaborate with internal customers and project teams to capture functional and performance requirements.
Develop initial tooling concepts, feasibility studies, and cost–benefit analyses that address new and existing program needs.
Design & Documentation
- Create detailed 3D CAD models (NX preferred) and production 2D drawings specifying fit, form, and function.
- Develop fabrication requirements that incorporate standardized manufacturing instructions (ERP system), along with procurement specifications and inspection plans to guide the production process.
- Ensure design documentation clearly communicates technical intent; note that any changes requiring formal documentation updates must be submitted to the Tooling Configuration Control Analyst.
Provide hands-on technical support to in-house manufacturing teams and vendors during fabrication.
Perform first-article and in-process inspections to validate that manufacturing outputs meet design specifications and performance targets.
Troubleshoot and resolve fabrication issues to maintain quality and schedule.
Act as the technical point of contact, ensuring that all design revisions are properly documented and routed through the Tooling Configuration Control Analyst.
Technical Skills & Competences:
Passion for design, i.e., enthusiasm for designing, building, and supporting tools for critical naval machinery.
Excellent communication and written skills; able to convey technical concepts to diverse audiences and produce high‑quality documentation.
Strong organization and prioritizing skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously and allocate resources efficiently to meet tight and changing schedules.
Leadership – capable of working with cross‑functional teams, mentoring junior engineers, and making technical decisions.
Attention to detail, consistently delivering high-quality drawings, and applying GD&T to meet optimal tooling and hardware requirements.
Proactive in continuous improvement, the candidate identifies potential challenges, applies root cause analysis, and implements process improvements that enhance quality, productivity, and cost effectiveness in new tool design.
Basic Qualifications for Principal Tooling Design Engineer:
Bachelor's in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) with a minimum of 5 years of technical experience in design for manufacturing (DMF); master’s degree in a STEM discipline with 3 years of experience.
Experience in 3D CAD modeling using standard commercial CAD software.
Experience in 2D drafting and drawing creation from 3D models.
Experience modifying existing 2D drawings and 3D CAD models.
U.S. citizenship required.
Preferred qualifications:
Tool‑design and development experience with the ability to design, prototype, qualify, and sustain production‑quality fixtures, gauges, and test rigs for aerospace/defense programs, demonstrating end‑to‑end ownership from concept through release.
Advanced CAD expertise, mastery of 3‑D modeling tools (e.g., Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX) plus downstream DFM software, enabling rapid creation of detailed drawings.
Experience with AS9100, MIL‑STD‑1521 (tool design), ITAR/FAR compliance.
NX modeling and drafting experience.
Experience evaluating vendor and equipment capability and ability to perform required tasks, including production of tooling as well as unique aerospace part production.
What We Can Offer You:
Northrop Grumman provides a comprehensive benefits package and a work environment that encourages your growth and supports the mutual success of our people and our company. Northrop Grumman benefits give you the flexibility and control to choose the benefits that make the most sense for you and your family.
Your benefits will include the following: Health Plan, Savings Plan, Paid Time Off, and Additional Benefits, including Education Assistance, Training and Development, 9/80 Work Schedule (where available), and much more!
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Primary Level Salary Range: $103,600.00 - $155,400.00The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.