Lead, Manufacturing Engineering

Harris Geospatial Solutions; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in Huntsville, AL seeks a Lead Engineer in Metal Additive Manufacturing to act as the sector SME for LPBF and DED, guiding DfAM, part qualification, and producing robust AM solutions for defense programs. This role leads AM strategy, IRAD projects, and collaboration with engineering, supply chain, and quality to reduce lead time and cost while maintaining security clearance readiness.

The position prioritizes production-readiness, design for manufacturability, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and minimum 9 years of manufacturing engineering experience; graduate degree with a minimum of 7 years, or in lieu of a degree, 16 years of experience.
• 5+ years in metal additive manufacturing operations or engineering.

Responsibilities

• Act as the subject matter expert for metal additive manufacturing, with emphasis on laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition for defense applications.
• Provide DfAM guidance and technical review of designs, advising program design teams on part selection, geometry, and material choices to maximize performance, reliability, and producibility.
• Lead the development, maintenance, and deployment of internal AM standards, process specifications, and design guidelines for metal AM components.
• Partner with Supply Chain as the technical authority in the evaluation, selection, and development of external AM vendors, including definition and review of key process controls and compliance to specifications.
• Drive qualification and certification strategies for mission-critical AM parts, including test approaches, acceptance criteria, and coordination with quality, materials, and reliability engineering.
• Create and deliver regular (e.g., monthly) training and technical presentations on AM technologies, DfAM principles, process capability, and qualification practices to engineering and cross-functional teams.
• Own the AM technology strategy for the site, including identification and prioritization of new internal R&D initiatives and evaluation of emerging AM tools, processes, and materials.
• Serve as program manager for AM-focused IRAD projects and any AM-specific programs, including planning, execution, risk management, and communication of status.
• Provide technical consultation and oversight for all programs utilizing metal AM, ensuring consistent application of best practices across the product lifecycle from concept through production.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, quality, and business development to identify opportunities where AM can reduce lead time, cost, and weight.

Skills

Metal AM operations

DfAM guidance

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Graduate Degree

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers' mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers' mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title: Lead, Additive Manufacturing Engineer

Job Code: 41010

Job Location: Huntsville, AL

Job Schedule: 9/80: Employees work 9 out of every 14 days- totaling 80 hours worked- and have every other Friday off

Job Description:

L3Harris is seeking a Lead Engineer in Metal Additive Manufacturing to serve as the sector subject matter expert for laser powder bed (LPBF) and directed energy deposition (DED) technologies. This individual will drive Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), guide mission-critical part selection and qualification, and provide technical leadership to engineering and supply chain teams to ensure robust, production-ready AM solutions. The role is an individual contributor, with responsibility for shaping the AM strategy, leading AM-focused IRAD, and laying the foundation to grow AM capability over time.

Essential Functions:

• Act as the subject matter expert for metal additive manufacturing, with emphasis on laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition for defense applications.
• Provide DfAM guidance and technical review of designs, advising program design teams on part selection, geometry, and material choices to maximize performance, reliability, and producibility.
• Lead the development, maintenance, and deployment of internal AM standards, process specifications, and design guidelines for metal AM components.
• Partner with Supply Chain as the technical authority in the evaluation, selection, and development of external AM vendors, including definition and review of key process controls and compliance to specifications.
• Drive qualification and certification strategies for mission-critical AM parts, including test approaches, acceptance criteria, and coordination with quality, materials, and reliability engineering.
• Create and deliver regular (e.g., monthly) training and technical presentations on AM technologies, DfAM principles, process capability, and qualification practices to engineering and cross-functional teams.
• Own the AM technology strategy for the site, including identification and prioritization of new internal R&D (IRAD) initiatives and evaluation of emerging AM tools, processes, and materials.
• Serve as program manager for AM-focused IRAD projects and any AM-specific programs, including planning, execution, risk management, and communication of technical and programmatic status.
• Provide technical consultation and oversight for all programs utilizing metal AM, ensuring consistent application of best practices across the product lifecycle from concept through production.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, quality, and business development to identify opportunities where AM can reduce lead time, cost, and weight and enable new capabilities for L3Harris defense systems.
• Ability to obtain a US Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of 9 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience.
• 5+ years in metal additive manufacturing operations or engineering.

Preferred Additional Skills:

• BS in Engineering or MS in Material Science is preferred.
• Active US Secret Security Clearance is preferred.
• Facilitation and/or teaching experience.
• Highly collaborative with the ability to influence without direct reporting relationships.

#LI-HW1

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

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