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Tool Engineer / Principal Tool Engineer

Northrop Grumman
CAPA350, United States, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 10 Jun 2026
💰 $155,400/yr($83,400/yr$155,400/yr)

About the role

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: Secret

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an opening for a Tool Engineer or Principal Tool Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in Palmdale, CA.

Bring your experience as a Tool Designer to support our Armament Business unit.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Plan, design, document and oversee the build of complex tools and assemblies

  • Design tools, mechanisms, special machine tools using NX and Mastercam

  • Create designs and drawings to be sent out for build

  • Requires knowledge of mechanics and application of mechanical movements

  • Adapt standard equipment to special purposes

  • Work independently to solve problems and create new designs, generally with little guidance

  • Select materials to be used to meet design and usage requirements

  • Supervise test and assembly of new design if necessary

  • Familiar with ergonomics and with applicable OSHA safety standards relative to pneumatics and hydraulics

  • Collaborates with engineering, technicians and management throughout the design and build process

  • Organize and maintain new and existing drawing records

COMPETENCIES

  • Customer Service

  • Advanced computer skills (Microsoft office suite + CAD)

  • Works well under pressure

  • Strong time management skills

  • Attention to detail

  • Effective communication skills

  • Continuous improvement

  • Mechanical aptitude

  • Works with ambiguity

**This role may be filled at the Tool Engineer or Principal Tool Engineer level based on the qualifications listed, below**

Basic Qualifications Tool Engineer:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 1 year of manufacturing or tool design experience OR Master’s Degree with 0 years of experience

  • Experience creating drawings to be used in manufacturing following industry and corporate drafting standards

  • Experience in machine shop practices

  • Knowledge of the physical properties of materials and how to harden, temper and stress relieve materials to achieve required properties

  • Must be knowledgeable in the following design areas: Dies, Molds, Gaging, cutting tools, fixtures, Machine design

  • Design and assemble precise tools and fixtures to work with energetic materials

  • Experience in press tooling, both hydraulic and pneumatic presses

  • Experience using CAD software such as NX, Mastercam, Solidworks

  • Able to work weekly Monday – Thursday 3:00 PM - 1:30 AM; Occasional Fridays and overtime required

  • Considerable amount of time standing and walking, up to 50% of time

Basic Qualifications Principal Tool Engineer:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 4 years of manufacturing or tool design experience OR Master’s Degree with 3 years of manufacturing or tool design experience OR PhD with 0 years of experience

  • Experience creating drawings to be used in manufacturing following industry and corporate drafting standards

  • Experience in machine shop practices

  • Knowledge of the physical properties of materials and how to harden, temper and stress relieve materials to achieve required properties

  • Must be knowledgeable in the following design areas: Dies, Molds, Gaging, cutting tools, fixtures, Machine design

  • Design and assemble precise tools and fixtures to work with energetic materials

  • Experience in press tooling, both hydraulic and pneumatic presses

  • Experience using CAD software such as NX, Masterca

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Company

Northrop Grumman

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