Production Engineer - Tool Designer

Position Overview

Electra is seeking a Production Engineer - Tool Designer to support the design, fabrication, and deployment of tooling for aircraft structures and assemblies. This role will be instrumental in developing and maturing assembly jigs, fixtures, and other critical production tools for Electra's next-generation aircraft. The ideal candidate will combine strong CAD-based design skills with hands-on shop floor experience to ensure manufacturable, precise, and reliable tooling solutions that meet the highest standards of aerospace quality.

• Generate tooling concepts for small, medium, and large assembly jigs in support of aircraft production.
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to refine, validate, and mature tool design concepts.
• Develop complete tooling designs and engineering data packages ready for fabrication.
• Partner with suppliers during fabrication and participate in final verification and acceptance of new tools.
• Support first article build activities and tool ring-out processes during initial production phases.
• Perform dimensional management studies to confirm tooling accuracy and conformance within tolerance bands.
• Participate in design reviews and configuration/change boards to ensure alignment with production and design requirements.
• Prepare and present design concepts, progress, and recommendations to senior engineers and leadership teams.

• Bachelor s degree or higher in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace tooling design, manufacturing engineering, or related design disciplines.

• Proven experience designing tooling for subassembly and large-scale assembly jigs.
• Minimum 2000 hours of tool design using CAD (NX, Solid Works, or CATIA).
• Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, including hydro forming, metal-to-metal bonding, and composite vacuum tooling.
• Proficient with ANSI Y14.x GD&T standards and Model-Based Definition (MBD) practices.
• Familiarity with dimensional management (DM) and tolerance analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with suppliers, fabricators, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in creating technical documentation and presentations.

• Experience with tooling verification, inspection, and acceptance processes.
• Familiarity with PLM systems and digital thread workflows.
• Experience supporting aircraft or aerospace component production environments.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Location:
  
  Headquarters in Manassas, VA. Strong preference for on-site presence to enable close collaboration with design and manufacturing teams.
• Travel:
  Occasional
• Salary: $120,000-$140,000. Our salary ranges reflect the minimum and maximum range for the Company level overall across all locations & projects and does not necessarily reflect the budgeted amount for this position. Individual pay is based on additional factors, including project budgets, job-related skills, experience, relevant education and/or training, role, level, location, and project.

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Management and Manufacturing
• Industries
• Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

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