Job Description

Sr. Tool & Fixture Design Engineer

Department: Production & Test

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Hawthorne, California

Compensation: $157,000 - $177,000 / year

Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way.

We are seeking a highly motivated Tool & Fixture Design Engineer to support the development, sustainment, and continuous improvement of tooling, fixturing, and ground support equipment (GSE) for a CNC-based production environment. This role is responsible for designing and implementing manufacturing solutions that improve safety, quality, repeatability, and throughput across machining and assembly operations.

The ideal candidate has strong mechanical design fundamentals, hands-on manufacturing experience, and the ability to collaborate closely with CNC programmers, machinists, manufacturing engineers, and production technicians in a fast-paced production setting.

What you'll do:

Design and release tooling, fixtures, workholding, and mechanical equipment to support CNC machining and manufacturing
Create CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and engineering documentation for production tooling
Design and maintain ground support equipment (GSE) for assembly, integration, testing, and transportation
Partner with manufacturing teams to optimize machining processes, tooling, and fixture designs
Perform tolerance analyses, manufacturability reviews, and fit/function evaluations
Troubleshoot tooling and production issues, conduct root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions
Coordinate tooling fabrication, procurement, installation, validation, and commissioning
Drive continuous improvements in safety, quality, cycle time, repeatability, equipment utilization, and cost
Ensure tooling and equipment comply with safety, quality, and operational standards

What you'll bring:

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) field
3+ years of tooling or manufacturing equipment design experience
Experience with 3D CAD, CNC machining, GD&T, and manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal, welding, assembly, and fabrication

Preferred Qualifications

Experience designing fixtures for 4-axis and 5-axis CNC machining
Knowledge of cutting tools, workholding systems, and machine setup optimization
Experience in aerospace, automotive, robotics, or space hardware manufacturing
Experience performing FEA, structural analysis, or load calculations for tooling and lifting equipment
Experience with PLM/MRP systems and engineering change processes
Knowledge of ergonomics and operator-centered tooling design
Hands-on machining or fabrication experience
Experience supporting environmental testing, integration, or production ground support equipment (GSE) systems

Work Environment

Combination of office and manufacturing floor environments
Ability to support production, solve manufacturing issues, collaborate across teams, and manage multiple priorities
Frequent interaction with CNC machines, fabrication equipment, and production hardware
Hands-on support of active production and integration operations may be required
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and work around industrial equipment safely

Benefits and Perks

Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
Equity ownership in the company
Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
401(k) plan with company match
Flexible PTO and parental leave
Home office set up reimbursement
Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks

About Astrolab

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) is pioneering new ways to explore and operate on distant planetary bodies. We are singularly focused on designing, building and operating a fleet of multi-purpose commercial planetary rovers to extend and enhance humanity’s presence in the solar system.

Headquartered in Hawthorne, California, we are an American-owned and American-operated small business. Our team has more than five decades of experience in terrestrial and planetary robotics, electric vehicles, human spaceflight, and human intelligence field operations. Our stellar team, strategic partnerships with cutting-edge companies and institutions combine with our world-class manufacturing, integration and test facility will enable the delivery of lunar and Mars mobility solutions at maximum reliability, flexibility and cost effectiveness.

Having a strong, diverse, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values.

At Astrolab we…

Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why.

Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life.

Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best.

Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind.

Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.

Check out our website for current openings and help us drive the future of planetary exploration & development!

Industry

Aviation & Aerospace

Company Size

51-200 employees

Headquarters

Hawthorne, California

Year Founded

2019

Website

astrolab.space

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