Manager, Additive Manufacturing

Socket.dev; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 186,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compensation package

Paid time off

Health benefits

Professional development

Team environment

Job summary

Divergent is hiring to own and scale the post-processing value stream for additive-manufactured parts, ensuring qualification, inspection, and zero-defect output at scale.

You will lead a multi-center team, driving compliance with AS9100, advancing automation, and delivering cost-efficient throughput in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls.
• Proven leadership in high-reliability, high-accountability environments.
• Strong systems thinker with discipline to manage complex processes.
• Demonstrated ability to build teams, enforce standards, and deliver results under pressure.
• Ownership mindset with a bias toward action and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Own the throughput, quality, and safety across all post-processing operations.
• Ensure every part exiting the organization is inspected, qualified, and ready with zero defects escaping.
• Establish objective metrics and drive performance to world-class standards.
• Build, train, and develop technicians and frontline leaders across all work centers.
• Implement standardized work, controls, audits, and documentation for repeatable execution.
• Develop and drive automation roadmaps and ROI-based capability expansion.
• Identify bottlenecks and lead cross-functional problem solving to improve long-term performance.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Quality & compliance

Data-driven decisions

Effective communication

Tools

AS9100 awareness

Job description

Divergent is building the new industrial age. Every day, our teams design, manufacture, and assemble advanced systems for some of the world’s most demanding industries. Our integrated engineering and manufacturing platform transforms complex designs into production-ready solutions, helping customers move faster, build smarter, and deliver critical systems when they matter most. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs and supports leading U.S. aerospace and defense companies.

Join us and help push the boundaries of what can be built.

Purpose

Own and scale the post-processing value stream that transforms additively manufactured parts into fully qualified material with validated properties.

You will lead operations across part removal (bandsaw/EDM), media blast, heat treat, build plate resurfacing, and part inspection, building a disciplined, high-performing organization capable of delivering consistent, certifiable output at scale.

This role is well-suited for a leader experienced in high-consequence, procedure-driven environments who can bring structure, accountability, and continuous improvement to a rapidly scaling operation.

The Role

Own the Value Stream

• Serve as the single point of accountability for throughput, quality, and safety across all post-processing operations
• Ensure every part exiting your organization isfully inspected, qualified, and ready for downstream operations with zero defects escaping
• Establish objective metrics (including internal escape rates) and drive performance to world-class standards

Build & Lead a High-Performance Team

• Build, train, and develop a team of technicians and frontline leaders across all work centers
• Establish rigorous training and qualification standards aligned with aerospace and defense expectations
• Develop bench strength and identify successors for key roles

Drive Process Rigor & Compliance

• Deliver a step-change in process robustness across heat treat, media blast, build plate resurfacing, and inspection
• Ensure strict adherence to AS9100, military standards, and all applicable certification requirements
• Implement standardized work, controls, audits, and documentation systems to ensure repeatable execution

Champion Cost, Throughput, and Efficiency

• Identify and lead cost reduction initiatives across labor, equipment utilization, yield, and consumables
• Build a pipeline of high-impact improvements and execute against clear ROI targets
• Develop operational dashboards to enable data-driven decision-making

Build the Future (Automation & Capability Development)

• Develop and drive a multi-year roadmap for automation and capability expansion across all work centers
• Evaluate and integrate robotics and automation solutions, including building clear business cases
• Lead initiatives such as:
• Media blast automation
• Build plate resurfacing (equipment selection, commissioning, and integration)
• Onboarding capability for processing new materials and alloys

Solve Complex Operational Problems

• Identify bottlenecks and failure modes across the full processing chain
• Lead cross-functional problem solving with engineering, quality, and maintenance
• Implement durable corrective actions that improve long-term system performance

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls

Leadership Profile

• Proven leadership in high-reliability, high-accountability environments
• Strong systems thinker—able to manage complex, interdependent processes with discipline and precision
• Demonstrated ability to build teams, enforce standards, and deliver results under pressure
• High ownership mindset with a bias toward action and continuous improvement

Operational & Technical Experience

• Experience leading operations, maintenance, or production teams in complex technical environments
• Familiarity with procedure-driven execution, qualification programs, and audit/compliance systems
• Experience managing risk, driving root cause resolution, and improving system reliability

Execution Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Comfortable operating both on the floor and at the systems level
• Effective communicator across technical and operational teams

Work Environment

• Performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise and machinery
• Requires frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, and handling of precision tools and materials.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. independently and 50 lbs. with assistance.
• May involve crouching, climbing, confined spaces, or work at heights.
• PPE (including but not limited to safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, respirators as needed) and company uniform are required.
• May occasionally require extended or weekend hours to meet production deadlines.
• This role operates in a fast-paced, high-mix production environment where priorities can shift rapidly based on engineering changes, supply chain constraints, and program milestones. The environment demands tight cross-functional collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, quality, logistics, and program teams to ensure daily execution aligns with long-term build plans.
• Success in this environment requires hands-on engagement on the shop floor, strong systems knowledge, and the ability to anticipate and resolve scheduling risks before they impact key deliverables.
• The culture emphasizes proactive communication, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement to meet aggressive program timelines while maintaining high standards for quality, safety, and efficiency.

Pay Range

$135,020 — $185,660 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. EEO Poster

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.

E-Verify: Right to Work 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.

No agencies, no solicitations, and no calls please.