Sr. Tool & Fixture Design Engineer

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.

Department Production & Test Employment Type Full Time Location Hawthorne, California Workplace type Onsite Compensation $157,000 - $177,000 / year

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

Having a strong, inclusive, 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.

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Our Hiring Process

Stage 5:

Offer

Stage 6:

Hired

Stage 1:

Application Review

Stage 2:

Recruiter Phone Interview

Stage 3:

Video Interviews

Stage 4:

On-site Interview

Stage 6:

Hired

Find out more

Astrolab is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, gender identity, parental or pregnancy status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request to careers@astrolab.space. We strive to remove unconscious and unnecessary barriers to build the best team. While we’ve outlined what an ideal candidate could look like, we know that you may bring something unanticipated and essential to the team. If you’re reading this and can see yourself contributing, please register below.

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