Tooling Engineer
AST SpaceMobile · Midland, TX
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing role at AST SpaceMobile (aerospace & defense) in Midland, TX. Design and modeling of tooling, fixtures, jigs, and GSE used in spacecraft assembly, integration, and test.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- GD&T, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Welding, Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 128 other live manufacturing postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$126k, from 30 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Tooling 58%
- Root cause 57%
- Lean 41%
- New product launch 36%
- Automation 36%
- Six Sigma 29%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at AST SpaceMobile
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: AST SpaceMobile in Midland
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Full description from AST SpaceMobileAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Design and modeling of tooling, fixtures, jigs, and GSE used in spacecraft assembly, integration, and test. Prepare preliminary designs with layouts, sketches, testing requirements, materials, processes, and tools, and define interfaces with other mechanical subsystems.
- ◆Develop and maintain manufacturing drawings and interface control drawings for tooling and fixtures used to handle, transport, and protect flight hardware during assembly, integration, and test.
- ◆Provide technical support to AIT activities including fabrication, assembly, integration, and testing of tooling and ground support equipment.
- ◆Responsible for the design and capability of tooling and fixtures to meet program technical requirements.
- ◆Support structural decisions and engineering trade-offs to identify the best tooling architectures and design approaches.
Education
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field
Experience
- ✓A minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience designing tooling, fixtures, or ground support equipment for spacecraft or aerospace manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Higher degree is preferred
- ✓Experience using PDM and PLM software is preferred
- ✓Direct experience designing tooling and fixtures for AIT activities
- ✓Design of large welded steel tooling and fixture assemblies
- ✓Knowledge in GD&T is a plus
- ✓Technical skills in FEM computer methods using standard analytical tools and classical structural analysis methods is a plus
Requirements
- ✓Ability to work in a standard office environment and use a computer for extended periods
- ✓Ability to perform light assembly work and lift items up to 50 lbs
This job description may not be inclusive to the duties and
responsibilities
listed. Additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time or the scope of the job may change as needed by business demands .
qualifications
and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected.
Position Overview
We are seeking a talented Tooling Engineer to join our satellite Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE) team, responsible for the design, fabrication, and validation of tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment used in spacecraft assembly, integration, and test.
Soft Skills
- •Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team with other engineers
- •Flexibility/adaptability in a fast-paced & dynamic environment
- •Fluent English written and verbal communication skills
Technology Stack
- •CAD software (Inventor is preferred)
Physical