Additive Manufacturing Operations Lead

Responsibilities

• Additive Manufacturing Operations
• Own day-to-day operations of the LPBF production floor, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable execution.
• Manage production schedules across prototype, development, qualification, and production programs in coordination with other Agile departments.
• Oversee machine setup, build execution, powder handling, and post-processing workflows.
• Ensure repeatable, high-quality production of printed propulsion components.
• Maintain spare parts, consumables, gas supply, and other inventory critical to production.
• Drive equipment uptime, preventative maintenance, and facility readiness to support throughput growth.
• Establish, track, and continuously improve operational KPIs (yield, throughput, cycle time, scrap, machine utilization).
• Technical Leadership
• Partner with Design Engineering during DfAM reviews to align geometry, support strategies, and material selection with LPBF capabilities.
• Facilitate AM process development, including control of AM process parameters, scan strategies, thermal histories, and build envelopes.
• Lead root cause analysis for print failures and drive corrective actions.
• Maintain configuration control of build files, machine settings, and AM processes.
• Oversee integration of downstream processes including heat treatment, HIP, machining, and inspection.
• Define and document AM processes in accordance with aerospace and internal quality standards.
• People Leadership
• Mentor AM technicians, operators, and engineers with emphasis on safety, technical rigor, and continuous learning.
• Establish onboarding pathways, technical certification levels, and recurring training cycles for AM roles.
• Allocate resources effectively across shifts and programs, adjusting team responsibilities based on skills, priorities, and workload.
• Cultivate a culture of accountability, ownership, and disciplined execution.
• Quality & Compliance
• Partner with Quality Engineering to define critical-to-quality features, inspection protocols, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, AS9100, and internal configuration-control and document-control requirements.
• Maintain full material and process traceability (powder lots, build files, inspection records, heat treat/HIP records, and rework history).
• Support internal and external audits, customer reviews, and supplier assessments.
• Ensure build and post-processing travelers are fully executed, documented, and closed out accurately.
• Strategic & Cross-Functional Support
• Evaluate and select emerging AM technologies, materials, sensing systems, and post-processing techniques.
• Support make-buy decisions, including technical evaluation of external suppliers.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, including 2+ years of manufacturing management, with preference for metal additive manufacturing and hands-on machine operation.
• Demonstrated experience with aerospace or highly regulated production environments.
• Strong knowledge of metal LPBF processes and materials commonly employed in metal AM technologies such as Inconel, Titanium, or Copper alloys.
• Proven experience optimizing manufacturing flow, leading root cause analysis, and developing repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Leadership experience managing technical teams in a prototyping or production setting.
• Able to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and specifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience producing flight hardware or propulsion components.
• Background with EOS, SLM Solutions, VELO3D, TRUMPF, or similar LPBF platforms.
• Knowledge of heat treatment, HIP, machining, and NDE for AM components.
• Experience standing up new AM facilities, bringing in new equipment, or scaling production.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing documentation best practices.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Employment Type

• Exempt

Salary

• $120,000 - $162,000 Final compensation will be based on factors such as experience, skills, and internal equity, and is typically made within the midrange, rather than the upper end.

Work Schedule

• Full Time

Travel Requirements

• < 25%

Relocation Stipend

• Available for qualified candidates.

Location

• Durango, CO

Posting Timeline

• This position will remain open for a minimum of five (5) days and will continue to accept applications until the role is filled. Early applications are encouraged, as reviews and interviews may begin during the posting period.