ADM Works
Mechanical Engineer, Design and Reverse Engineering
1 month ago
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Important information
Contract type:
Permanent
Salary:
$75,000 – $125,000 / year
Location:
Santa Ana, CA, USA
Work mode:
Onsite
Published on:
22 September 2026
What they need
We are looking for a mechanical engineer who is strong in CATIA and comfortable moving between the CAD seat and the shop floor. The core of the job is surfacing: creating, repairing, and refining complex surface data for parts, tooling, and reverse-engineered components. You will also support quoting, design composite tooling, and occasionally get your hands dirty on builds.
What You Will Do
- Create and refine complex surface models in CATIA from customer data, sketches, and scan data
- Design composite tooling: layup molds, master models, trim and drill fixtures, bond jigs
- Reverse engineer existing parts: work with point cloud and scan data and convert it to clean, manufacturable surfaces and solids
- Perform assembly design and manage multi-part assemblies in CATIA
- Analyze customer data packages (models, drawings, specs) to support quoting: material selection, tooling approach, machining strategy, and time estimates
- Support inspection activities, including work with laser trackers and 3D scanning
- Work hands-on in builds when projects require it: fitting, assembly, tooling checks, first articles
- Collaborate directly with machinists, fabricators, and program leadership in a fast-moving job-shop environment
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated experience
- Strong proficiency in CATIA, specifically:
- Surfacing (Generative Shape Design or equivalent), including surface creation, repair, and Class-A-adjacent quality work
- Part design and assembly design
- Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, GD&T, and 3D model-based data
- Strong spatial reasoning and attention to surface quality, continuity, and manufacturability
- Self-directed, able to juggle multiple concurrent projects across different industries
Preferred Qualifications (Pluses)
- Experience converting point clouds and scan data to surfaces (CATIA Digitized Shape Editor / Quick Surface Reconstruction, Geomagic, PolyWorks, or similar)
- Inspection experience, particularly with laser trackers (Leica, FARO, API) and associated software (Spatial Analyzer, Verisurf, PolyWorks)
- Hands-on shop experience: machining, patternmaking, fixturing, layup, or fabrication
- Knowledge of composite manufacturing processes (prepreg, wet layup, infusion) and tooling materials (tooling board, epoxy, Invar, steel)
- Experience estimating or quoting manufacturing work
- Familiarity with aerospace quality expectations (AS9100 environment, first article inspection)
Who Thrives Here
Engineers who like variety. One week you might be surfacing a scanned aerospace component, the next you are designing a mold for a fine art installation or a motorsports part. If you want to sit behind a CAD seat and never touch hardware, this is not the job. If you want your CAD skills sharpened by seeing exactly how your surfaces machine, lay up, and inspect, this is.
Pay: $75,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
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