Applications Engineer

About the role

This role bridges customer needs with xCell’s manufacturing capabilities, ensuring that warfighters receive reliable parts in the field. Key responsibilities include application development, process & materials engineering, field & deployment support, customer engagement, sustaining & quality, and cross-functional feedback loop.

Responsibilities

• Take customer part requirements and turn them into validated, repeatable manufacturing processes on xCell across additive and CNC.
• Develop and qualify process parameters, materials, and part libraries/work instructions for operators.
• Support xCell deployments, train and enable operators, and troubleshoot production issues in CONUS and OCONUS environments.
• Work directly with warfighters and program customers to understand mission needs and translate them into producible solutions.
• Own first-article inspection and part qualification, and drive fixes for fielded systems that fail to meet expectations.
• Feed real application and field data back to systems, mechanical, and manufacturing engineering to improve future generations of xCell.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, or related field).
• U.S. Citizenship required for DoD security clearance.
• 3+ years of hands-on manufacturing experience with additive (MJF, FDM, or metal) and/or CNC machining.
• DFM/DFAM fluency and proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
• Comfortable troubleshooting hardware and process problems on the job, with speed and accuracy.

Qualifications

• High ownership mentality, ready to close loops and hold oneself and others to a high standard.

Skills

• Design for Manufacturing (DFM) / Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) fluency.
• Proficiency with CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience training or supporting end users on manufacturing equipment in the field.
• Familiarity with PLM and quality/documentation systems.

Benefits

• Base salary: $100,000 - $130,000 base, commensurate with experience.
• Equity: Meaningful equity grant in a growth-stage defense technology company.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Generous parental leave.
• Free mental health resources.
• Additional work-life services.

Pay

$100,000 - $130,000 base, commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Based onsite at our San Diego, CA. Headquarters, with travel between 15-25% customer and field sites, including some OCONUS.