Tooling Design Engineer

PGS Worldwide is seeking a Tooling Design Engineer in Palmdale, CA for a 1-year contract-to-hire role working a full-time schedule. This position supports a major aerospace & defense company and focuses on designing complex production and assembly tooling for advanced aerospace programs. The engineer will lead tooling design efforts, interface with manufacturing teams, and contribute to process improvements across the tooling lifecycle.

Required Skills

• Active Secret security clearance with the ability to obtain SAP within approximately 6 weeks
• Minimum 7+ years of experience designing aerospace assembly tools (structures, fixtures, drill jigs, lift/move tooling, etc.)
• Recent hands-on design experience with CATIA V5 or 3DX
• Minimum 1 year of experience creating 2D technical design drawings/blueprints
• Strong understanding of tooling design principles, manufacturing methods, and production integration
• Ability to independently develop technical solutions to complex tooling problems
• Ability to act as liaison between design, manufacturing, engineering, and procurement teams

Preferred Skills

• Tool fabrication experience or familiarity with fabrication processes
• Experience supporting first-article builds or aircraft assembly
• Experience authoring tool usage or assembly work instructions
• Background in manufacturing engineering or production floor support
• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical discipline
• Experience improving tooling processes, workflows, or design methodologies

What You'll Do

• Design production and experimental tooling, equipment, fixtures, dies, gauges, jigs, and machine attachments for aerospace manufacturing
• Develop solutions that consider accessibility, cost, manufacturability, mobility, and performance requirements
• Create detailed 2D technical drawings and 3D models using CATIA V5 or 3DX
• Provide technical guidance and collaborate with manufacturing, design engineering, procurement, and quality teams
• Lead process improvement initiatives within the tooling design and planning workflow
• Support tooling planning activities and ensure designs meet production, cost, quality, and schedule objectives
• Troubleshoot tooling issues and implement corrective actions during manufacturing or assembly operations
• Work independently to drive complex tooling projects from concept through release

Job ID: 19749

"Military veterans and transitioning military members are encouraged to apply to all PGS Worldwide positions. All of our jobs are military-friendly, and we work with leaders in Aerospace who rely on your military expertise to support mission-critical programs nationwide. As a Veteran Founded company, we know that the military has given you the skills and training you need to succeed in positions like this, and we want to support your success in the civilian sector however we can. We thank you for your service and humbly offer our own in return by helping you take your career to the next level. "