Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in California

Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.

As an Additive Manufacturing Development Engineer at Freeform, you will play a critical role in the development of our advanced metal 3D printing technology including machine functionality, part quality analysis, print file preparation/generation, and providing DFAM recommendations for some of the world's largest manufacturers. You will own projects from cradle to grave as a responsible engineer, taking customer designs from concept through printing, testing, and delivery. You will develop a fundamental understanding of the printing factory and will leverage your technical insights to advance system capabilities using a first principles mindset.

This is a unique opportunity to work alongside and learn from leaders and pioneers in the metal additive manufacturing space to disrupt the industry with our autonomous printing factory technology.

Responsibilities:

• Understand printing system capabilities and roadmap, and work with internal engineering teams (mechanical, electrical, software) to implement solutions that further automate the printing process for high volume production
• Drive all stages of print production development including design for additive manufacturing (DFAM) feedback, file preparation, printing, post processing, and quality control
• Analyze in-situ data and post-print part quality to drive continuous improvement
• Use first-principles thinking to understand problems, define test methods, evaluate solutions, iterate and provide technical recommendations to internal and external stakeholders
• Document application requirements and objectives, statements of work, standard operating procedures, next steps and action items to align all internal and external team members
• Interface with external customers to communicate Freeform's technical capabilities; work with customers on improving Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM)
• Contribute to Freeform's internal technology development with feedback from internal and external stakeholders via detailed design and systems level improvements

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering from an ABET accredited university or college
• Hands on design experience from internships or engineering clubs such as FSAE, Baja SAE, rocket club, robotics club, or similar
• Full life-cycle hardware design experience from hand calcs to CAD to fabrication and testing
• Well-versed in mechanical engineering fundamentals and comfortable taking a first-principles approach to solving problems

Nice to Have:

• Experience with metal 3D printing
• Master's degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering
• Strong academic track record
• Passion for additive manufacturing
• Scrappy, first-principles approach to solving hard problems
• Team-oriented mindset and positive attitude
• Detail oriented with excellent verbal, graphical, and technical communication skills
• DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) or LPBF (Laser Powder Bed Fusion) experience
• Process development experience for metal additive manufacturing
• Scripting experience in Matlab (or similar) for toolpath generation
• Experience working with internal and/or external customers
• Mechanical systems design experience

Location:

• Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA's deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.

• Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.

What We Offer:

• We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.
• We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.
• Benefits
  • Significant stock option packages
  • 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
  • Life insurance
  • Traditional and Roth 401(k)
  • Relocation assistance provided
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
  • Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent
  • Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette
  • Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events
• Compensation
  • As a growing company, the salary range is intentionally wide as we determine the most appropriate package for each individual taking into consideration years of experience, educational background, and unique skills and abilities as demonstrated throughout the interview process. Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company's current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.
  • In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $90,000-$140,000. The upper end of the range is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional experience, deep domain mastery, and a proven history of high performance and impact.
• Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.