Senior Tooling Engineer

About the role

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and delivery of production tooling from initial concept through deployment on the shop floor or in the field.
• Partner with engineers, technicians, and operators to understand the underlying process, not just the requested tool, and develop solutions that improve quality, speed, safety, and repeatability.
• Create quick prototypes when speed matters, then mature the design into robust, documented, maintainable equipment.
• Bring up automated and semi-automated production equipment, including sensor integration, actuator selection, control panels, PLC logic, HMIs, and machine safety features.
• Troubleshoot tooling and equipment issues in real time, including mechanical failures, control logic problems, operator usability issues, tolerance stackups, and process variation.
• Create CAD models, detailed drawings, BOMs, work instructions, commissioning plans, and maintenance documentation.
• Work with internal teams and external vendors to fabricate, source, assemble, test, and improve custom tooling and production equipment.
• Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing and deployment processes by reducing cycle time, improving ergonomics, simplifying operations, and increasing first-pass success.
• Establish practical tooling standards and best practices as Northwood scales from low-rate builds to repeatable production and deployment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechatronics, robotics, electrical engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience designing, building, or supporting tooling, fixtures, production equipment, manufacturing systems, or automation equipment.
• Strong mechanical design fundamentals, including structures, mechanisms, tolerances, material selection, manufacturability, and maintainability.
• Experience with CAD and drawing release workflows.
• Hands-on experience building, assembling, debugging, and improving hardware in a shop, lab, production, or field environment.
• Experience developing tools or equipment used by operators, technicians, manufacturing teams, or field teams.
• Working knowledge of electromechanical systems, pneumatics, actuators, sensors, motors, or motion-control hardware.
• Familiarity with automation and controls concepts, including PLCs, ladder logic, relays, HMIs, industrial sensors, and machine safety systems.
• Able to take ambiguous process needs and turn them into working hardware quickly.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, test, operations, and deployment teams.
• High ownership, strong bias toward action, and comfort working in a fast-paced hardware environment.
• Experience taking tooling from prototype through production release, including validation, documentation, operator training, and maintenance planning.

Qualifications

• Experience designing, commissioning, or maintaining automated or semi-automated production equipment.
• Experience with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, AutomationDirect, or similar systems.
• Experience writing, modifying, or troubleshooting ladder logic, structured text, HMI screens, or machine control sequences.
• Experience with robotic dispensing, adhesive dispensing, gantries, machine vision, precision alignment systems, or coordinated motion systems.
• Experience designing lifting, rigging, hoist, crane, cart, ergonomic handling, or field deployment equipment.
• Experience supporting aerospace, satellite, RF, robotics, automotive, industrial automation, or other high-reliability hardware production.
• Familiarity with machine guarding, lockout/tagout, risk assessments, and equipment safety standards.
• Experience working directly with machinists, fabricators, technicians, operators, and external vendors.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
• Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.