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Salary: USD 146,000 - 194,000 / annual
Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer for Automation & Tooling to join the Space Manufacturing team in Costa Mesa, California. This role is responsible for designing and delivering mechanical ground support equipment (MGSE), tooling, and fixtures that enable production lines for advanced space systems.
You will own the full tooling lifecycle, from design and structural analysis through specification, procurement, qualification, proof load testing, and sustainment. You will serve as the specialist for cluster leads across Space Vehicle Integration, Sensors & Avionics, and Propulsion & Energetics, translating their production needs into engineered hardware solutions. The role is critical to ensuring a new world-class production facility is ready to manufacture flight hardware on schedule.
Key responsibilities include:
- Design mechanical ground support equipment and production tooling in CAD through released drawings, including handling, lift, rotation, transport fixtures, integration stands, and alignment/torque tooling
- Own tooling and MGSE procurement runway against facility schedule, managing tooling lists, long-lead items, specifications, vendor packages, and delivery dates
- Qualify tooling and MGSE before use on flight hardware through load path analysis, proof load testing, lift certification, fit checks, and first-article use; maintain auditable qualification records
- Design tooling for cleanroom compatibility, selecting materials, coatings, lubricants, and surface finishes to prevent particle generation and foreign object damage
- Design and deploy semi-automated assembly stations and mechanical automation where justified by labor reduction or variability elimination
- Drive Design for Manufacturability and Assembly into vehicle designs before Critical Design Review from the tooling perspective
- Use manufacturing execution and product lifecycle tools (Foundry and Teamcenter) as the system of record for tooling definition, configuration control, calibration, and maintenance
- Own tooling sustainment including calibration and maintenance intervals, spares management, wear and damage disposition, and changes driven by design updates or nonconformances
- Partner with Supply Chain and Quality on tooling vendors, specifications, source inspection, and first-article expectations
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline
- 8+ years designing production tooling, fixtures, or mechanical ground support equipment for aerospace, space, defense, or other high-reliability industries
- Portfolio of tooling or MGSE personally designed through released drawings, fabrication, and floor use
- Strong CAD proficiency (NX, SolidWorks, or CREO) with sound GD&T practice on tooling drawings
- Structural sizing and load path analysis experience for handling and lift hardware, including proof load and lift certification requirements
- Experience designing tooling or MGSE for cleanroom operation; ability to defend material, coating, and lubricant choices; familiarity with IEST-STD-CC1246 and ASTM E595
- Experience specifying and procuring tooling or capital equipment through supply chain against facility or program schedule
- Quantified improvement delivered through tooling or automation (cycle time, ergonomic risk, defect rate, or touch labor reduction) that can be explained mechanically
- Ability to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
- Willingness to travel up to 25%
Preferred Qualifications:
- 10+ years in tooling or MGSE for satellites, spacecraft, or launch vehicles
- Experience outfitting a new production facility or line from clean sheet through commissioning
- Semi-automated or automated assembly station design, including robotic or actuated handling and safety analysis
- Familiarity with lift and handling standards and space workmanship standards (ASME BTH-1, B30 series, NASA-STD-8739 series, or equivalents)
- Scripting for design automation or production data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or CAD APIs)
- Currently possesses and can maintain an Active Secret clearance
