Design​/Tooling and Manufacturing Engineer

Design / Tooling and Manufacturing Engineer

About the Organization Applied Aerospace & Defense (Applied) is a premier provider of advanced design, engineering, and vertically integrated manufacturing solutions for leading and next-generation space and defense technology companies. Applied builds complex hardware for extreme operating environments and is focused on three core markets:
Space and Launch Systems, Defense Aviation and Airborne Systems, and C5

ISR and Precision Strike Systems. With decades of space and defense manufacturing heritage, Applied combines deep material science and IP-enabled process expertise with the ability to enable rapid prototyping, enhance new product development, and responsively scale production. Across its nationwide infrastructure of advanced manufacturing facilities, Applied continuously supports a balanced mix of next-generation technology and platform development, large scale production programs, and aftermarket sustainment for enduring platforms.

EOE Statement Applied Aerospace and Defense is an equal opportunity employer.

The Design Engineer is responsible for the design, development, and technical validation of production tooling, derivative models, processing aids, and various engineering design deliverables required to support aerospace manufacturing. This role integrates advanced CAD modeling practices, model-based definition, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and manufacturing engineering principles to ensure robust, repeatable, and cost-effective production processes. The engineer supports both sustaining production and New Product Introduction (NPI) through high-fidelity technical design work.

Pay Range: $ to $ per year, depending on experience

The Design Engineer will work collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to deliver manufacturable design solutions that support day-to-day operations and long-term business objectives. The position is responsible for defining and creating designs (3D models, assemblies, drawings, engineering documents) from supplied concepts, sketches, models, or verbal input; ensuring compliance with design standards; validating shop floor application; and resolving problems through structured, engineering-based approaches — ensuring alignment with internal design standards, aerospace industry requirements, and process capability.

• Create detailed tooling designs, fixtures, and processing aids using CAD modeling, GD&T, and tolerance analysis based on inputs (concepts, sketches, models, verbal input) from other functional groups.
• Generate derivative/secondary models, reference geometry, and tooling datasets for NC programming, inspection, assembly, and test.
• Develop layout and facility-related design elements to support production and workflow optimization
• Validate tooling and design intent through engineering analysis, producibility reviews, and shop floor application
• Interpret engineering models, specifications, and MBD datasets to produce compliant tooling and design solutions.
• Apply/enforce design standards, configuration control, and documentation practices.
• Present design status, metrics, engineering recommendations, technical reports, and conduct design reviews to internal teams
• Resolve complex manufacturing/design issues using structured methods such as 8D, RCCA, or DMAIC.
• Lead root cause investigations and implement corrective actions to improve design robustness and manufacturability.

• Apply lean design, ergonomic requirements, and continuous improvement to tooling and engineering design processes.
• Partner with cross-functional teams on cost-out, time reduction, and simplification projects using engineering…