Mechanical Engineer, Space Based InterceptorsTooling & MGSE Design (Senior - Staff)

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical authority for Space Based Interceptors tooling and MGSE — from requirements definition through design, fabrication, qualification, configuration control, and sustained production support.
• Lead design of complex tooling including precision interceptor assembly fixtures, kill vehicle integration tooling, canister and launcher assembly GSE, STE/ATP fixtures, below-the-hook lifting devices, and missile transportation and environmental containers.
• 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, MDA program offices, and government stakeholders.
• Maintain and enforce DoD, MDA, and ATF safety and regulatory compliance across all tooling and GSE designs; serve as the program's tooling safety authority.
• Lead root cause investigations on complex tooling anomalies; drive systemic CAPA to prevent recurrence across the portfolio.
• Own configuration control discipline across the complete tooling data package: models, drawings, BOMs, work instructions, lift safety assessments, and proof test records.
• Develop and maintain tooling program schedules and budgets; provide accurate EAC inputs and proactively surface and mitigate cost and schedule risks.
• Represent tooling/MGSE at Space Based Interceptors hardware PDR/CDR; provide producibility and toolability guidance to hardware design teams.
• Ensure compliance with ASME BTH-1, MIL-STD-882E, ASME Y14.5, ASME Y14.100, and applicable MDA and program-specific tooling standards across all team deliverables.

Qualifications

• 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 Space Based Interceptors, missile systems, rocket propulsion, or munitions manufacturing. 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 missile defense tooling programs from concept through sustained production.
• Deep experience directing fabrication vendors: SOW development, source selection, performance management, and disposition of non-conformances.
• Demonstrated DoD/MDA regulatory knowledge: MIL-STD-882E system safety, ATF Employee Possessor requirements, and ordnance-adjacent manufacturing compliance.
• Executive-level communication skills; experienced presenting to senior program leadership, MDA program offices, and government stakeholders.
• U.S. citizenship required; active Secret clearance required. TS/SCI eligibility required for certain program assignments.

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Extensive direct experience as tooling technical lead on major Space Based Interceptors programs: THAAD, PAC-3/MSE, SM-3 Block IIA, GMD/GBI, Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), JASSM, LRASM, or equivalent MDA/Army/Navy programs.
• Deep experience with kill vehicle integration tooling, canister and launcher assembly tooling, and precision interceptor handling GSE.
• Experience managing ATF Employee Possessor status programs and associated tooling and handling safety regimes.
• Structural analysis expertise (ANSYS, FEMAP/NASTRAN) qualifying lifting and handling equipment to ASME BTH-1 and MIL-STD-882E.
• Experience managing a tooling portfolio spanning 20+ active designs across multiple concurrent MDA or service-funded programs.
• Prior experience authoring missile handling safety assessments, ordnance tooling qualification plans, and ATF compliance documentation.
• Deep knowledge of solid rocket motor handling, assembly, and storage tooling requirements.
• Demonstrated expertise designing large structural weldments for aerospace GSE and tooling — welded steel frames, launcher support structures, integration stands, and handling bases — with proficiency in weld joint design, weld symbol specification per AWS A2.4, pre- and post-weld distortion control, material selection for weldability, and vendor qualification of WPS and welder certifications.

Pay

Base Salary: $125,000 - $255,000

Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.