AM Process Specialist

Socket.dev; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 4,306,377 - 7,896,403; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity plan

Discretionary bonus opportunities

Paid vacation & holidays

Parental leave

Health insurance

Job summary

Divergent seeks a driven Process Specialist to design, implement, and optimize industrial processes at our manufacturing facility, with a focus on Additive Manufacturing and supporting equipment. You will work with production, quality assurance, AM service, and machine shop to ensure smooth operations and continuous improvement on the shop floor.

You will conduct audits, drive structured problem solving (A3/8D), and enforce a quality-first culture under AS9100D.

Qualifications

• Ability to interpret technical documentation (drawings, work instructions, equipment specs).
• Experience with 5S, Lean or Six Sigma principles.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and refine process instructions, ensure clear communication and training.
• Conduct audits on machine performance and support continuous improvement programs.
• Drive quality control aligned with AS9100D.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve process issues.
• Lead continuous improvement using A3/8D and kaizen.
• Standardize processes to reduce variation and enable staffing models.
• Develop and maintain training content and verify effectiveness.

Skills

LEAN manufacturing

Audits & inspections

Process improvement

Documentation

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word Excel PowerPoint)

Job description

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.

Purpose

Divergent seeks a driven and adept Process Specialist focused on designing, implementing, and optimizing industrial processes to enhance efficiency, quality, and safety in our manufacturing facility. They will work closely with our production & service teams to development and enhance processes related to Additive Manufacturing (AM) and auxiliary equipment. We aim to set a new standard in aerospace and automotive manufacturing, and we need a proactive team member to help redefine the future of manufacturing and automation.

The Role

• Process Design and Implementation: Develop and refine process instructions. Ensure these processes are diligently communicated, trained to, and followed.
• Audits and Inspections: Conduct scheduled audits on machine performance and support the implementation of robust programs for continuous improvement, including space inspections, audits, and surveillances.
• Quality Control: Be accountable to AS9100D guidelines and drive a "quality-first" culture across all manufacturing operations.
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams, including production, quality assurance, AM service, machine shop to ensure smooth operations and to resolve process issues.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvement using structured problem solving (A3/8D), waste elimination, and targeted kaizen to improve flow and performance.
• Documentation: Standardize processes and work content to reduce variation, improve first-pass yield, and enable predictable staffing models and flexible labor deployment.
• Training: Partner with Operations, Safety, and Quality to develop, implement, and maintain the company's training platform, ensuring all employees remain current on required role-"specific" training, certifications, and company policies. Conduct routine training audits and verify training effectiveness through regular on-the-floor observations, coaching, and employee interactions. Work with frontline leaders to identify skill gaps, reinforce standard work, and ensure employees can consistently demonstrate competency while performing their daily responsibilities. Monitor training compliance, maintain accurate training records, and drive continuous improvements to training content and delivery methods to support operational excellence, safety, quality, and workforce development.
• Additional Responsibilities: Undertake additional tasks as needed to meet departmental objectives.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
• Understanding of the product life cycle (NPI to scaled production), LEAN manufacturing principles, and change management.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation (mechanical drawings, work instructions, building plans, equipment specifications, electrical schematics, etc.).
• Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Passion for employee development and enjoy the process of training and developing both new hires and veteran production staff.
• Experience troubleshooting manufacturing processes and equipment in dynamic production environments.
• Experience supporting process development.
• Knowledge of 5S, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project).

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of manufacturing experience, preferably with a focus in Additive Manufacturing.
• Experience training others, coaching teammates, or providing technical guidance in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to develop cross-functional relationships as a well-respected, trusted partner.
• Ability to think and work autonomously when required, and to perform under pressure to logically troubleshoot systems and processes.

Work Environment

• Process specialist works in a manufacturing setting, which may include long hours on the factory floor, overtime, computer work and meetings. The role may involve occasional nights/weekend work.

Compensation

At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels T02 - T04 as evaluated through our interview process.

• Technician II (T02): $31.26 - $42.98
• Technician III (T03): $36.09 - $49.63
• Technician IV (T04): $41.69 - $57.32
• $31.26 - $57.32 USD

What We Offer:

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
• Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
• Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

Equal Employment Opportunity Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.

In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected. Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees. Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish) Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO) Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.