Mechanical Engineer, Tooling and MGSE; Senior

Overview

A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability.

OUR MISSION

The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all.

OUR VALUES

• Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity
• What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results
• It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together

We are seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Tooling and MGSE (Senior - Staff) to serve as technical authority and team leader for tooling and ground support equipment across our Space Systems programs. The title and scope will be calibrated to your depth of experience — at the senior end you will operate as a highly autonomous individual contributor; at the staff and lead end you will own program tooling strategy, lead a team, define standards, and serve as the primary interface with program leadership and government stakeholders.

Specific level will be determined based on candidate experience.

• Serve as technical authority for spacecraft tooling and MGSE — from requirements definition through design, fabrication, qualification, configuration control, and sustained production support.
• Lead design of complex tooling including precision assembly fixtures, spacecraft lifting and handling systems, gravity offload equipment, optical handling fixtures, transportation/environmental containers, and STE/ATP fixtures.
• Define tooling engineering strategies, standards, and best practices; champion DFM/DFMA adoption and drive continuous improvement across the tooling lifecycle.
• Lead or manage a team of tooling engineers and designers: assign work, perform design checker duties, manage deliverable quality, and support career development.
• Own the full vendor relationship lifecycle: SOW/RFQ development, source selection, fabrication oversight, technical disposition of non-conformances, and supplier performance management.
• Chair or co-chair tooling PDR/CDR; present tooling status, risk, and schedule posture to program management, customers, and government stakeholders.
• Define and enforce cleanroom tooling protocols; collaborate with facilities to maintain cleanroom certification and AI&T readiness.
• Lead root cause investigations on complex tooling anomalies; drive systemic CAPA across the portfolio.
• Own configuration control discipline across the complete tooling data package: models, drawings, BOMs, work instructions, and proof test records.
• Develop and maintain tooling schedules and budgets; provide accurate EAC inputs and proactively surface cost and schedule risks.
• Represent tooling/MGSE at spacecraft hardware PDR/CDR; provide producibility and toolability guidance to design engineering teams.
• Ensure compliance with ASME BTH-1, NASA SP-8077, JSC-65289, ASME Y14.5, ASME Y14.100, and applicable MIL-STDs across all team deliverables.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related STEM field. Graduate degree strongly preferred for staff and lead roles.
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in tooling, MGSE, or manufacturing engineering within aerospace or defense. Staff and lead roles typically require 12+ years with demonstrated team leadership.
• Expert proficiency in 3D CAD (CREO, NX, or CATIA V5) and PLM/PDM (Windchill, Teamcenter).
• Expert application of GD&T (ASME Y14.5) and advanced tolerance analysis; qualified to serve as technical checker for team and vendor designs.
• Proven record of managing complex tooling programs from concept through sustained production.
• Strong vendor management: SOW development, source selection, performance management, and disposition of…