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Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Astranis

Manufacturing Engineer, Additive

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$86K - $110K/yr

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, physics, or equivalent technical degree. * 2+ years of direct professional experience in additive manufacturing, more ...

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Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer information

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$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director additive manufacturing engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for director additive manufacturing engineer in the United States is $194,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,500.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer, you need deep expertise in materials science, mechanical engineering, and additive manufacturing processes, typically backed by an advanced engineering degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, 3D printing hardware, and certifications like Six Sigma or ASME Additive Manufacturing standards are highly valued. Strategic leadership, project management, and strong communication skills distinguish top performers in directing multidisciplinary teams and driving innovation. These competencies are crucial for effectively leading complex manufacturing projects, ensuring product quality, and advancing organizational goals in a rapidly evolving field.

What does a Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer do?

A Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer leads and oversees the development, implementation, and optimization of additive manufacturing (3D printing) processes within an organization. They are responsible for managing teams, setting strategic direction, and ensuring that advanced manufacturing technologies align with business goals. This role often involves collaborating with R&D, production, and quality assurance departments to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and support new product development. Additionally, they stay updated on industry trends and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer vs Additive Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectDirector Additive Manufacturing EngineerAdditive Manufacturing Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, often with leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, team leadership, cross-department collaborationDesign, develop, and optimize additive manufacturing processes
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing firms, R&D departments, corporate leadershipManufacturing companies, prototyping labs, R&D teams

The main difference is that the Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer focuses on strategic oversight, leadership, and high-level project management, while the Additive Manufacturing Engineer is more involved in technical development, process optimization, and hands-on engineering tasks. Both roles require relevant technical credentials, but the director position emphasizes leadership and strategic planning within the additive manufacturing industry.

How does a Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation?

As a Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer, you will regularly work with R&D, product development, and operations teams to integrate additive manufacturing solutions into new and existing products. Collaboration involves leading technical discussions, aligning project goals, and ensuring that additive manufacturing processes meet both engineering requirements and business objectives. You’ll also mentor engineering teams, facilitate knowledge sharing, and represent the department in strategic planning meetings, making strong communication and leadership skills essential for success.
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What cities are hiring for Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer job openings:
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Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Additive Manufacturing Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 83% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 2% Contract, 1% Nights, and 7% Summer. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $194,709 per year, or $93.6 per hour.
Manufacturing Engineer, Additive

Manufacturing Engineer, Additive

Astranis

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$86K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity's reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe- large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.
Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world's best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.
Manufacturing Engineer, Additive
This role is our first Manufacturing Engineer focused on additive manufacturing and will be responsible for building Astranis's additive manufacturing capability from the ground up. This Engineer owns the entire lifecycle of our additive components - from working closely with the mechanical engineering team to ensure parts are designed for manufacturability to developing production processes, tooling, and inspection procedures on the factory floor. The Manufacturing Engineer is a highly cross-functional role requiring both technical and hands on skills to bridge the gap between design and production. A successful candidate will apply knowledge of GD&T, 5-axis CNC machining, additive qualification processes, and CMM/ optical inspection to solve difficult problems in real time and drive improvements that directly impact our ability to get to space faster.
Role
  • Own additive metal by developing Astranis's Laser Bed Powder Fusion process from the ground up.
  • Own PEEK, ULTEM, and other engineered thermoplastic 3D printing processes.
  • Work with design engineering to drive Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM), including participating in design reviews and assisting in tolerance stack up analysis.
  • Develop standard operating procedures for printer calibration and maintenance.
  • Develop process monitoring capability and print quality inspection criteria to ensure high print quality with minimal yield loss.
  • Develop qualification tests and standard coupons for printed part quality and as-printed material properties.
  • Write work instructions, work order templates, process specifications, and other build documents.
  • Troubleshoot non-conformances on the floor to determine a disposition, root cause, and drive corrective actions.
  • Assist in machining and programming operations as required for R&D and production.
  • Assist in designing and creating fixturing for production.
  • Work with supplier quality and contract manufacturers, to develop their manufacturing and quality processes and respond to questions and issues.
  • Design and implement lean systems for continuous improvement.
  • Own 5S activities throughout the additive manufacturing area.

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, physics, or equivalent technical degree.
  • 2+ years of direct professional experience in additive manufacturing, more specifically metal (Laser Bed Powder Fusion).
  • Experience with explosive/combustible powder storage and handling best practices.
  • Familiarity with additive software (nTop, 3DXpert, Materialise Magics, Netfabbm Ansys Additivem Altair Inspire Print 3D, or equivalents)
  • 1+ years of experience in CNC machining, with exposure to complex machining centers (5-axis mills).
  • Experience with 3D CAD software (Solidworks, Siemens NX, or similar).
  • Highly competent in GD&T and drawing reviews.
  • Experience in writing technical documents.
  • Knowledge of different manufacturing process and their general quality capability.
  • Mechanical design experience including creating solid models and prints.
  • Must be onsite 5 days a week.

Bonus
  • Masters degree in relevant STEM field, especially with applications in Additive Manufacturing.
  • Experience with advanced post processing techniques such as annealing and Hot Isostatic Pressing.
  • Experience with CAM software (Fusion 360, Mastercam, Siemens NX, or similar).
  • Hands on experience working as a Machinist programming and running 5-axis parts.
  • Experience working with complex machining centers (mill/ turns, horizontals, multi-channel machines, and automated systems).
  • Has worked with contract manufacturers to set up and qualify manufacturing processes.
  • Hands-on experience reading and interpreting first article inspection reports, using precision hand tools, and implementing tolerance stack up analysis on parts.
  • Experience with MES/ MRP systems in a production environment.

What we offer:
All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.
Base pay is just one component of Astranis's total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.
Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.
Base Salary
$95,000-$165,000 USD
U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, or Refugee/Asylee Status Required
(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))
Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.

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