Mechanical Design Engineer

Mechanical Design Engineer — Production Tooling, Fixtures & NPI Support — $125k to $165k Base + Bonus — Santa Ana, CA / Onsite — Nationally Recognized Aerospace, Space & Defense Company

This Jobot Job is hosted by:
Billy Surch

Salary: $120,000 - $160,000 per year

Our client is a vertically integrated design, engineering, and manufacturing partner to leading and next‑generation space and defense technology companies. Our work spans three core markets — space and launch systems, defense aviation and airborne systems, and C5

ISR and precision strike — and we build hardware that has to survive extreme operating environments. Across a nationwide footprint of advanced manufacturing facilities, we support rapid prototyping, new product development, large‑scale production, and aftermarket sustainment for enduring platforms.

• Base salary $125k–$160k+
• Medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k)
• Generous PTO, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Full‑lifecycle ownership: you define the tooling, validate it, and fix it when production finds the edge cases
• Decades of manufacturing heritage with a balanced mix of next‑gen development programs and long‑running production work
• Clear technical growth path — mechanical design into broader manufacturing engineering leadership

You’ll design the production tooling, fixtures, and processing aids that support aerospace manufacturing across multiple product families — machining, assembly, test, and inspection — working from concepts, sketches, models, or verbal input from engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production.

• Create detailed tooling, fixture, and processing aid designs using 3D CAD, GD&T, and tolerance analysis
• Generate derivative and secondary models, reference geometry, and tooling datasets for NC programming, inspection, assembly, and test
• Validate tooling and design intent through engineering analysis, producibility reviews, and shop floor application
• Support design and modification of test equipment, including hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• Lead root‑cause investigations and corrective actions using structured methods (8D, RCCA, DMAIC), and own configuration management, revision control, and technical accuracy of models and drawings

• Strong 3D CAD skills — Solid Works, CATIA, or NX; multi‑body design, surfacing, large assemblies, and detailed drawings
• Working knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5; familiarity with model‑based definition (MBD) workflows
• Strong communicator who works well cross‑functionally with manufacturing, quality, and production

• Machine shop / CNC manufacturing environments
• Composites manufacturing
• Hydraulic and pneumatic test equipment
• Assembly, test, machining, and inspection tooling
• Lean design, ergonomics, and cost‑out / cycle‑time reduction projects
• NPI and new product development support

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.

It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Sometimes Jobot is required to perform background checks with your authorization. Jobot will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with any applicable federal,…