Tooling Engineer

Manufacturing and Operations|Santa Cruz, CA

At Capstan Medical, we’re driven by an unwavering commitment to transforming the treatment of heart valve disease. By merging surgical robotics with catheter-based technology and next generation implants, we’ve pioneered a patient-optimized approach to repair and replace heart valves.

Our innovative technology offers a significantly less invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery while ensuring precise and reliable placement of the heart valve implant. With these advancements, our goal is to provide patients with a solution to their heart valve disease while significantly reducing recovery time and minimizing the risk of complications. With a dedicated team of heart valve device experts and robotics engineers, we are fully committed to developing a comprehensive and transformative solution that will positively impact the lives of individuals with heart valve disease.

Capstan Medical is uniquely positioned in Santa Cruz, CA. This gives us access to the amazing technical talent of the Bay Area, but in an environment that we feel is conducive to doing our best creative work. Our office is adjacent to large tracts of open space with bicycle trails straight from the office doors offering access to the hills and beaches of Wilder Ranch State Park for road/mountain biking, hiking, and surfing.

Come join us and become part of a team revolutionizing heart valve treatment!

Capstan Medical is seeking a Tooling Engineer to join our manufacturing engineering team with a primary focus on supporting the Delivery System (catheter) manufacturing group. In this role, you will design, develop, and optimize tooling, fixtures, and equipment that enable reliable assembly, inspection, and production processes in a regulated medical device environment. You will collaborate closely with design, production, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure tools meet functional and quality requirements, while also working with external vendors to source and implement innovative solutions.

This role will also provide opportunities to support Robot and Implant manufacturing, while maintaining close collaboration across teams to ensure high-quality, reliable production outcomes.

• Design new tools, jigs, and fixtures to support assembly, inspection and other manufacturing processes
• Work with design, production, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure tools meet specifications
• Liaise with external vendors for sourcing, fabrication, and ensuring state-of-the-art solutions
• Specification and selection of off-the-shelf tools and equipment for metrology and assembly processes
• Analyze existing tooling for enhancements and troubleshoot production issues
• Develop equipment release packages per quality system standards
• Make in-house modifications to existing parts to ensure fit and function

• Strong CAD and mechanical design skills
• In-depth knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes
• Excellent technical and logistical problem-solving ability
• Excellent communication and documentation skills
• Experience working in a regulated environment (ISO 13485 or equivalent)
• Hands‑on troubleshooting in production environments
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline, or equivalent work experience
• Expecting 5+ years of relevant experience (medical device experience preferred)
• Experience designing jigs, fixtures, or custom tooling for production or inspection
• High level of proficiency creating engineering drawings with GD&T
• Hands‑on experience in a machine shop or prototyping environment

• We offer a fun, hands‑on, fast‑paced, collaborative environment where you will be working on transformational technologies in the cardiac healthcare space.
• We offer projects and training to continue your learning and technical growth.
• We offer outstanding benefits with medical, dental, and vision covered at 100% for you and your family, as well as flex time off.
• We thrive in our work‑hard, play‑hard environment. Bring your bike or running shoes if you’d like or just be ready to enjoy a fun office outing. We enjoy time inside the office and out!

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.