Additive Manufacturing Engineer

The Lee Company; Essex (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lee Company is seeking an Additive Manufacturing Engineer to lead prototype and experimental build activities, develop CAD-ready models, and evaluate new materials and processes to advance additive manufacturing capabilities.

You will plan structured process trials, analyze results, and translate successful trials into repeatable methods while maintaining clear documentation and work instructions for future use.

Qualifications

• A degree in engineering, engineering technology, materials science, manufacturing, or related field, or equivalent hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

• Support prototype and experimental builds from request through completion, clarifying requirements, planning work, communicating status, and preparing finished parts for project use.
• Create or modify CAD models and prepare part geometry for additive manufacturing based on design intent and part requirements.
• Review geometry for print readiness and manufacturability; identify features that may affect build success and coordinate changes.
• Plan and conduct structured process trials, defining objectives, controlling variables, and recording settings and outcomes.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Communication

Collaboration

Safety awareness

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Slicing software

Build prep software

Job description

The Additive Manufacturing Engineer is an engineering-focused, hands-on role centered on developing, evaluating, and improving additive manufacturing processes, materials, and applications. The role supports R&D and product development by planning experiments, analyzing build outcomes, and turning successful results into repeatable methods. Prototype production remains an important part of the work: the engineer prepares and runs builds, completes or coordinates post-processing and inspection, and works with internal partners to meet project needs across polymer and metal technologies.

This role applies engineering judgment to understand requirements, assess design and process options, troubleshoot results, and recommend next steps. The work combines practical equipment operation and prototype support with structured process trials, clear technical documentation, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate is curious, analytical, collaborative, and attentive to detail and safe work practices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Prototype and Experimental Build Support

• Support prototype and experimental builds from request through completion, clarifying requirements, planning work, communicating status, and preparing finished parts for project use.
• Select appropriate processes, materials, and build approaches; prepare build files and machine setups; and operate and monitor additive manufacturing equipment in accordance with procedures and required training.
• Complete or coordinate process-appropriate part removal, cleaning, curing, support removal, finishing, and inspection. Compare results with project requirements and communicate defects, deviations, and process limitations.

CAD Modeling and Geometry Preparation

• Create or modify CAD models and prepare part geometry for additive manufacturing based on design intent and part requirements.
• Review geometry for print readiness and manufacturability; identify features or design details that may affect build success, quality, or the ability to produce complex features, and coordinate needed changes with requestors.
• Prepare build-ready models by applying appropriate orientation, supports, and other process-specific preparation using relevant CAD and build-preparation software.

Process Development and R&D

• Develop and evaluate process changes that improve quality, repeatability, process capability, and the ability to produce complex features.
• Investigate new materials and applications and assess their potential for product development and the organization's additive manufacturing capabilities.
• Plan and conduct structured process trials, defining objectives, controlling variables where practical, and recording settings and outcomes so results can be evaluated and repeated.
• Analyze build failures and quality results, identify likely causes, and recommend corrective actions or follow‑on experiments based on the evidence.
• Translate successful trials into repeatable methods, maintaining clear work instructions and traceable process records for established and developing methods.

Equipment, Materials, and Work Area

• Maintain day-to-day readiness of additive manufacturing equipment, associated tools, and supporting work areas for prototype and experimental work.
• Perform proactive inspections, routine maintenance, cleaning, and upkeep; identify equipment concerns and coordinate service or repair when needed.
• Keep materials, consumables, and commonly used supplies organized, monitor inventory, and arrange replenishment in time to support planned work.
• Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work area, including appropriate handling, storage, and disposal of materials and waste.

Safe and Reproducible Work Practices

• Operate equipment and handle materials only under applicable safety controls, procedures, and training.
• Maintain organized, traceable records of requests, build parameters, materials, trials, inspections, deviations, and outcomes to support engineering decisions and repeatability.
• Present technical findings, process limitations, and recommendations to project partners, and contribute ideas that improve additive manufacturing capability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A degree in engineering, engineering technology, materials science, manufacturing, or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant experience in engineering, additive manufacturing, process development, R&D, or another hands‑on technical environment. Relevant technical training and demonstrated practical capability are also valued.
• Has hands‑on experience with one or more additive manufacturing processes or a related manufacturing process. Experience across every in-house technology is not required; training will be provided.
• Can plan or support process trials, document settings and results, and use evidence to improve quality, repeatability, or process capability.
• Is familiar with CAD and build‑preparation or slicing software and can create or modify models and prepare geometry for additive manufacturing.
• Has mechanical aptitude and hands‑on ability to set up and operate equipment, assess part quality, and troubleshoot or elevate process and equipment issues.
• Works carefully and analytically, maintains equipment, materials, records, and a safe work area, and communicates findings clearly with requestors, engineers, and technical colleagues.
• Brings curiosity, patience, and an interest in applying additive manufacturing to new materials, complex features, and product‑development challenges.