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# Tool Engineer / Principal Tool Engineer

- **Company:** Northrop Grumman
- **Location:** Palmdale, CA, United States
- **Salary:** $83,400.0 - $125,200.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Computer-Aided Design, SolidWorks (CAD), PC Tools, Microsoft Office, Build Management, Mastercam
- **Published:** October 2, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9213352/tool-engineer-principal-tool-engineer

## About the Role

* 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, * 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, * 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, Mastercam, Solidworks
 * Ability 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, * Possess an understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)

## Description

* 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