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Special Tooling Group Manager

Folsom, CA; Reno, NV

Voyager is an innovative space, defense, and national security technology company committed to advancing and delivering transformative, mission-critical solutions. We tackle the most complex challenges to unlock new frontiers for human progress, fortify national security, and protect critical assets to lead in the race for technological and operational superiority from ground to space. 

Forge the Future: Join Voyager Technologies 

The future belongs to those who build it. At Voyager Technologies, we’re building technologies that protect lives, expand frontiers and prepare us for what’s next. And we’re doing that with people who are wired to solve, build, adapt and lead. These roles are not for the faint of heart.  

You’ll help lay the foundation for humanity's future. Join a culture where innovation thrives, curiosity is rewarded, and impact is real. We’re a company of doers, thinkers and builders, united by purpose and grounded in reality. 

If you want to put your skills to work where the stakes are real and the mission is bigger than any one person, forge the future with Voyager. 

The Special Tooling Group Manager leads a multidisciplinary team of tooling engineers, designers, and technicians responsible for the design, fabrication, maintenance, property control, and configuration management of all special tooling in support of solid rocket motor (SRM) and aerospace propulsion programs. This individual establishes tooling policies and operational standards, drives quality and compliance across tooling operations, and serves as the primary technical authority for tooling requirements throughout the full product lifecycle. The role operates at the intersection of manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and program execution — requiring both hands-on technical depth and proven leadership in a highly regulated environment.

Responsibilities

  • Lead, develop, and retain a multidisciplinary team of tooling engineers, designers, and technicians; establish performance expectations, individual development plans, and succession pathways
  • Establish, publish, and enforce tooling group policies and standard operating procedures governing design, fabrication, inspection, maintenance, and disposition of all special tooling
  • Own and manage government and company property control systems in compliance with FAR 52.245 and applicable contract requirements; conduct periodic property audits and reconciliations
  • Oversee configuration management (CM) of all special tooling assets, including documentation, revision control, traceability, and engineering change order (ECO) processing
  • Apply and enforce Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) per ASME Y14.5 across tooling design, drawing review, and inspection planning activities
  • Interface with manufacturing engineering, design engineering, quality assurance, and program management to define and execute tooling strategies from concept through production
  • Direct tooling inspection planning, first-article inspection (FAI), and periodic calibration/recertification campaigns; ensure tooling meets dimensional, functional, and safety requirements
  • Own tooling capital planning, including asset acquisition, maintenance scheduling, storage, and disposition in coordination with facilities and supply chain
  • Represent the tooling group at design reviews (PDR, CDR) and manufacturing readiness reviews (MRR), providing tooling readiness assessments and risk mitigation plans
  • Manage tooling budget, schedule, and resource allocation in alignment with program milestones and cost account objectives
  • Collaborate with supply chain and procurement for outsourced tooling fabrication and machining services; oversee supplier quality and on-time delivery
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce tooling lead times, recurring costs, and nonconformance rates
  • Ensure compliance with ITAR, export control regulations, and all government property requirements; support DCMA/government oversight activities and audits
  • Champion safety, FOD (Foreign Object Damage/Debris) prevention, and quality standards across all tooling operations

Required Qualifications

  • 15 or more years of progressive experience in tooling engineering or manufacturing engineering in aerospace or defense, with demonstrated support of solid rocket motor (SRM) or propulsion programs
  • Proven experience building, leading, and developing tooling or manufacturing engineering teams in a structured program environment
  • Demonstrated experience establishing or substantially revising tooling group policies and operational procedures
  • Direct experience with government and/or company property control systems, including compliance with FAR 52.245 or equivalent property management regulations
  • Expert-level application and interpretation of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 in a manufacturing and inspection context
  • Hands-on configuration management experience with tooling records — including design changes, ECO processing, and traceability through the manufacturing lifecycle
  • Broad familiarity with aerospace manufacturing and inspection processes: precision machining, composite tooling, assembly fixtures, welding, CMM, optical measurement, and functional gauging
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance; active clearance preferred (U.S. citizenship required)

Skills

  • Demonstrated team-building and mentoring skills in a technical, regulated manufacturing environment
  • Policy and standard operating procedure (SOP) development for tooling group operations
  • Expert GD&T application and interpretation (ASME Y14.5); ability to review and approve tooling drawings
  • Configuration management systems and change control processes for tooling assets
  • Government and company property management, accountability systems, and audit readiness
  • Manufacturing process expertise: precision machining, composite tooling, bonded assemblies, welding/brazing, assembly fixtures
  • Inspection methods: coordinate measuring machine (CMM), surface plate layout, optical/laser measurement, functional and attribute gauging
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks, or equivalent) for tooling design review and redline markup
  • Budget management and resource planning across concurrent program demands
  • Familiarity with AS9100 quality management system requirements and associated manufacturing controls

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting Missile Defense Agency (MDA) programs with MAP/PMAP requirements
  • Lean or Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) with demonstrated application to tooling operations
  • Experience with ERP/MRP systems for tooling asset tracking and work order management (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent)
  • Familiarity with DCMA audit processes, contractor government property (CGP) systems, and compliance documentation
  • Experience with SRM motor case, nozzle, or divert/attitude control system (DACS) tooling is highly desirable
  • Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline from an accredited college/university

Education

  • Required: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a relevant engineering discipline from an accredited college/university
  • Preferred: Master's degree in a related engineering discipline from an accredited college/university

Other Requirements

  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. DoD security clearance (U.S. citizenship required); active Secret clearance preferred
  • Must be able to travel approximately 10% of the time to support program needs, supplier visits, and customer or government reviews

The good faith base salary range for this role is $180,000 - $230,000 at the time of this posting. Where you fall within the range depends on your experience, skills, and location. This range reflects base salary only and does not include benefits or bonus/incentive. This range may be adjusted in the future.

Voyager offers a highly competitive total compensation package designed to support the well-being, growth, and success of our employees. Employees benefit from a flexible and comprehensive rewards program that supports both professional and personal well-being.  

  • Flexible Time Off (FTO), empowering employees to take the time they need to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their families, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company and many benefits paid at 100% for employees
  • Flexible, affordable gym memberships with 12,700+ options nationwide, including 24 Hour Fitness, EoS Fitness, Crunch Fitness, Anytime Fitness, Blink Fitness, Chuze Fitness, and more! No long-term contracts and FREE on-demand workout videos before you enroll
  • 401(k) retirement plan with a 50% company match on contributions up to 8%, supporting long-term financial security
  • Company wellness programs that support physical and mental well-being
  • Additional voluntary benefits and employee support resources
  • The opportunity to work alongside a highly talented team in an innovative, mission-driven environment

Voyager is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.  

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Parts 120–130) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730–774), applicants for this position must be a U.S. Person: a US Citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3). Applicants must be eligible to obtain any required export authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Department of Commerce. 

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The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice. 

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