About this role
About Poseidon Aerospace:Poseidon Aerospace is reimagining how the world moves goods. We build and operate full-size autonomous cargo aircraft - capable of carrying two tons of payload over a thousand nautical miles. From remote communities to contested logistics operations, our platforms unlock a new cost curve for air freight, making it faster, cheaper, and accessible anywhere it's needed. Headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area with locations in Washington DC, Oregon, and Maine; we're building something consequential.
As a Manufacturing Engineer at Poseidon Aerospace, you will design and machine the tooling that brings our composite aircraft to life. You'll own the complete process from CAD design through CAM programming to running parts on our mills and routers, delivering functional jigs and fixtures on startup timelines. We need someone who thinks with their hands and can rapidly translate design requirements into precision tooling.
Responsibilities:
Design and deliver tooling, jigs, and fixtures for aircraft assembly and fabrication processes
Program and machine custom tooling components using CAM software and CNC equipment
Rapidly prototype manufacturing solutions to support evolving aircraft designs and assembly sequences
Conduct first article inspections and dimensional validation of tooling to ensure design intent is met
Collaborate with design engineers to provide DFM feedback and influence part designs for improved manufacturability
Develop and document assembly procedures, work instructions, and tooling usage guidelines
Troubleshoot and iterate on tooling designs based on real-world assembly feedback from the production floor
Maintain and improve existing tooling as aircraft designs evolve through development cycles
Ideal Qualifications:
Proficiency in CAD software (Fusion, SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar) for designing tooling, fixtures, and jigs
Hands-on CAM programming experience and ability to machine own parts on vertical mills and multi-axis CNC equipment
Strong understanding of GD&T and ability to apply proper tolerancing to tooling designs
Knowledge of composite materials and their unique tooling requirements (layup surfaces, cure tooling, trim fixtures)
Experience with metrology equipment (calipers, micrometers, height gauges) and inspection techniques
Understanding of design for manufacturing principles and common composite manufacturing processes (layup, bonding, trimming, drilling)
Self-directed problem solver comfortable working independently while supporting a small, fast-moving team
Ability to balance speed with precision—knowing when "good enough" is appropriate versus when tight tolerances are critical
Nice to have:
Experience with Fusion 360 for integrated CAD/CAM workflow
Hands-on experience with Kitamura machines
Gantry-style CNC router programming and operation
Multi-axis (4th/5th axis) CAM programming experience
Hands-on composite layup or composite trimming experience
Welding experience for fixture fabrication
Experience with FDM for rapid tooling prototypes
What you get from usCompetitive salary and meaningful early-stage equity
Relocation support if applicable
Employee Health Benefit Plans
6% Retirement matching
Flexible PTO
Free lunches, snacks, and a stocked fridge at our offices
AI tools and subscriptions