Tooling Project Engineer

Amentum • Huntsville, AL

1d

About The Position

This posting is for a Tooling Engineer to support NASA’s SLS Stages Element for Core Stage Manufacturing and Operations at Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and other sites as required. This position provides independent technical insight and engineering evaluation of the Stages prime contractor’s tooling activities associated with Core Stage manufacturing integration and test operations. The selected candidate will serve as a technical expert ensuring tooling systems meet performance, quality, safety, and integration requirements aligned with Core State production objectives. The responsible engineer will:
Review and evaluate tooling requirements defined by the Stages prime contractor. Assess completeness, technical adequacy, and safety considerations of tooling concepts and design documentation. Participate in tooling concept reviews, preliminary design reviews (PDRs), and critical design reviews (CDRs). Provide independent engineering recommendations to NASA leadership. Review and evaluate tooling requirements defined by the Stages prime contractor. Assess completeness, technical adequacy, and safety considerations of tooling concepts and design documentation. Participate in tooling concept reviews, preliminary design reviews (PDRs), and critical design reviews (CDRs). Provide independent engineering recommendations to NASA leadership. Review contractor-led validation and acceptance activities for new or modified tooling. Assess functional test results and tooling certification readiness. Support integration between tooling systems, flight hardware, ground support equipment (GSE), and manufacturing flow. Evaluate contractor maintenance strategies, preventive maintenance plans, and troubleshooting approaches. Assess tool wear, damage, and degradation evaluations. Ensure incorporation of lessons learned into future tooling designs. Support communication of tooling technical status and risks across NASA engineering and manufacturing teams. Participate in Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs), and engineering boards. Provide status inputs to Stages Element leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline and a minimum 5 years of mechanical design or tooling experience in aerospace or complex manufacturing environments or a MS and 3 years of experience, or Ph.D. degree and 1 year experience from an accredited engineering school.
• Experience evaluating or designing tooling solutions such as lifting fixtures, weld tooling, assembly jigs, GSE, or test support equipment.
• Ability to assess structural adequacy, manufacturability, maintainability, and safety of tooling solutions.
• Familiarity with CAD software (PTC Creo, SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent).
• Understanding of tooling lifecycle processes including requirements development, design reviews, procurement oversight, fabrication, validation, and sustainment.
• Experience working directly with aerospace contractors or providing technical insight into contractor performance.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate within strict communication protocol guidelines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting aerospace manufacturing programs.
• Experience with SLS, Core Stage, or large aerospace structural assembly programs.
• Knowledge of manufacturing flow optimization and factory operations.
• Familiarity with NASA review processes and Problem Assessment System (PAS) reporting.
• Experience supporting development programs from design through qualification and delivery.
• Experience participating in contractor insight/oversight environments.
• Experience in systems engineering integration related to manufacturing execution processes.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate tooling requirements defined by the Stages prime contractor.
• Assess completeness, technical adequacy, and safety considerations of tooling concepts and design documentation.
• Participate in tooling concept reviews, preliminary design reviews (PDRs), and critical design reviews (CDRs).
• Provide independent engineering recommendations to NASA leadership.
• Review contractor-led validation and acceptance activities for new or modified tooling.
• Assess functional test results and tooling certification readiness.
• Support integration between tooling systems, flight hardware, ground support equipment (GSE), and manufacturing flow.
• Evaluate contractor maintenance strategies, preventive maintenance plans, and troubleshooting approaches.
• Assess tool wear, damage, and degradation evaluations.
• Ensure incorporation of lessons learned into future tooling designs.
• Support communication of tooling technical status and risks across NASA engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Participate in Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs), Manufacturing Readiness Reviews (MRRs), and engineering boards.
• Provide status inputs to Stages Element leadership.

Benefits

• wellness programs
• 11 paid holidays
• paid time off
• employee perks
• flexible schedules
• health and welfare benefits
• health, dental, and vision insurance
• paid time off and holidays
• retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)
• educational reimbursement
• parental leave
• employee stock purchase plan
• tax-saving options
• disability and life insurance
• pet insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level