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Additive Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Manufacturing Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$73K - $135K/yr

Manufacturing Engineer Requisition ID: 1798 Position Location: Chantilly Position Reports To: Senior Director, Operations Supervises Others: No At Trident Systems Space Electronic Systems (SES ...

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Additive Manufacturing Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$53.8K

$96.9K

$135.9K

How much do additive manufacturing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for additive manufacturing engineer in Washington, DC is $96,930.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,600.00 and $106,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Additive Manufacturing Engineer job?

An Additive Manufacturing Engineer specializes in designing, developing, and optimizing 3D printing processes and materials. They work with various additive manufacturing technologies to produce prototypes, functional parts, and end-use products. Their responsibilities include process improvement, material selection, machine calibration, and ensuring product quality. Additionally, they collaborate with design and production teams to implement innovative manufacturing solutions efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Additive Manufacturing Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Additive Manufacturing Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, CAD design, and materials science, often supported by a bachelor's degree in mechanical, manufacturing, or related engineering fields. Familiarity with 3D printing technologies, software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD, and certifications such as SME Additive Manufacturing Certification are commonly required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication abilities make candidates stand out in this role. These competencies ensure you can develop innovative solutions, maintain high-quality production standards, and successfully collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

What are some of the main challenges Additive Manufacturing Engineers face in their daily work?

Additive Manufacturing Engineers often encounter challenges related to optimizing print quality, selecting the most suitable materials, and troubleshooting equipment or process issues. Staying current with rapidly evolving technologies and finding ways to efficiently scale prototypes into full production can also be demanding. Collaboration with design engineers, quality teams, and production staff is essential to ensure that final parts meet all specifications and regulatory standards. Embracing these challenges offers valuable learning experiences and helps build advanced expertise in this innovative and growing field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Additive Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Additive Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Additive Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Additive Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Additive Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Additive Manufacturing Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Additive Manufacturing Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,930 per year, or $46.6 per hour.
Metal Additive Manufacturing Engineer

Metal Additive Manufacturing Engineer

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

$72K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 hours ago


Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 59 rated research


Job description

Description
Do you have a passion for additive manufacturing (AM)?
Do you have a Maker's attitude for modifying 3D printers to do outstanding things and the persistence and attention to detail to get AM parts through aerospace qualifications?
Do you love to push the bounds of science and technology while working to take on some of the most challenging problems facing our Nation?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
We are seeking a Metal Additive Manufacturing Engineer to help us develop new materials and methods and mature these innovative capabilities to produce qualified hardware. You will be a vital member of APL's Additive Manufacturing Center (AMC), within the Research and Exploratory Development Department. The AMC is tasked with leading the implementation of innovative AM materials and processes to meet the future needs of APL staff and our Government sponsors. The AMC also supports APL with specialized prototyping and low-volume production services. As a member of our team, you'll build hardware that explores other planets and interstellar space through various NASA missions as well as building critical prototype hardware for our nation's national security and national health interests. In addition, we provide manufacturing expertise as part of our trusted agent role for the US government.
As a Metal Additive Manufacturing Engineer you will:
  • Provide engineering support for the operation of the metal AM printers at APL.

  • Utilize your fundamental understanding of how the 3D printers work to develop new materials, optimize material properties for unique applications, and develop innovative processes that enable entirely new capabilities in AM.

  • Complete build preparation tasks with proficiency in parametric CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CREO, etc.), and .stl file editing and build preparation software (e.g., Materialise Magics, EOS Print, QuantAM, etc.).

  • Develop unique additive-enabled designs using sophisticated software for lattice generation and topology optimization.

  • Utilize AM process simulation tools to identify part geometry at risk for distortion and/or build failure and implement improvements in build orientation and support structure design to minimize build risk.

  • Implement Quality Control measures in research and functional prototyping environment.

  • Detail AM procedures and implement traceability measures for projects requiring qualification.

  • Serve as a domain expert within APL to raise awareness of additive manufacturing activities and vision at APL.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a BS degree or higher in a related engineering or science field.

  • 2+ years experience with Metal Additive Manufacturing engineering.

  • Have experience running metal AM machines (selective laser melting or directed energy deposition) in an industrial setting.

  • Have a high level of proficiency with at least two of the following software tools: parametric CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, CREO, NX), .stl editing software (e.g., Magics, Netfabb, Meshmixer), or build preparation software (e.g., EOSPrint, QuantAM).

  • Experience carrying out design of experiments using statistical software such as JMP, DesignExpert, or minitab.

  • Technical writing experience authoring and/or being a primary contributor to technical proposal and reports.

  • Are able to obtain Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have experience producing qualified hardware using metal AM, such as following the NASA standard for additive manufacturing spaceflight hardware.

  • Have experience designing additive enabled parts using sophisticated lattice generation and topology optimization software tools such as nTopology, Ansys, and Dessault Systems.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$100,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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