Metal AM Researcher

University of Dayton; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) seeks an engineer to lead metal additive manufacturing research at Wright Patterson AFB, developing qualification frameworks, performing reverse engineering, structural analysis and prototyping. Strong data management and technical writing skills are required.

Responsibilities include coordinating with AFRL and leading a team to advance AM components through testing and qualification, with a focus on safety, quality, and program goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or materials science.
• 3 years of experience in metal additive manufacturing or closely related field.
• Experience operating or designing laser-based manufacturing equipment.
• Firsthand experience with mechanical testing and materials characterization.
• Strong written and verbal communication proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Manage and perform metal AM research at Wright Patterson AFB.
• Develop, document, and validate a standardized qualification framework for AM components.
• Lead reverse engineering, structural analysis, and part prototyping activities.
• Conduct testing and qualification of AM-produced components.
• Lead data management and technical writing; coordinate with AFRL.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Critical thinking

Documentation

Education

Bachelors in engineering or materials science

Experience in metal additive manufacturing

Tools

CAD tools

Laser-based manufacturing equipment

Job description

Job No: 503814
Work Type: Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater)
Location: Dayton, OH
Category: Research Institute Staff
Department: Advanced Mfg Tech Development - 250551
Pay Grade: R2/R3 - Exempt
Advertised: August 24, 2026
Applications close: Open until filled

Position Summary:

Shape the future of aerospace defense by leading cutting-edge metal additive manufacturing research at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI). UDRI is a national leader in scientific and engineering research, serving government, industry and nonprofit customers.

The University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) is seeking a highly motivated and highly talented engineer to manage and perform metal additive manufacturing (AM) research at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Work will include development, documentation, and validation of a standardized, performance-based qualification framework for AM components, reverse engineering, structural analysis, part prototyping, testing and qualification of components produced using metal additive manufacturing. In addition to these duties, strong technical data management and technical writing skills will be required. This position will lead and work with engineers/scientists at AFRL.

Minimum Qualifications:

R2 Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or materials science from an accredited University.
• 3 years of experience in metal additive manufacturing or closely related field.
• Experience operating or designing laser-based manufacturing equipment.
• Firsthand experience with mechanical testing and materials characterization.
• Strong written and verbal communication proficiency.
• Ability to work well with others, think critically and drive projects to completion with little supervision.
• Due to the requirements of our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be a U.S. citizen.

R3 Qualifications

• Must meet all R2 minimum qualifications.
• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of directly related experience or master’s degree and 7 years of directly related experience or PhD and 6 years of directly related experience.
• Leadership or technical mentoring experience, ability to work in a team environment, and the ability to provide technical leadership for supporting personnel and collaborators.

Preferred Qualifications:

While not everyone may possess all of the preferred qualifications, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following:

• A graduate degree in mechanical engineering or materials science from an accredited university.
• Thorough understanding of metal AM industrial landscape, capabilities and limitations.
• Familiarity with Airworthiness standards and related qualification requirements.
• Demonstrated experience both specifying mechanical testing and material characterization methods and interpreting results.li>
• Experience with metallurgical characterization for AM materials.
• Experience correlating the effects of LPBF processing parameters to resulting metallurgy.
• Understanding of data acquisition and analysis concepts.
• Ability to perform structural analysis using CAD tools.
• Understanding of metal heat treatment processes and practices.
• Experience performing design of experiments (DOE's) and statistical analysis.
• Understanding of laser/material interaction.
• Demonstrated technical writing ability.

Closing Statement:

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being. Informed by this commitment, we seek to increase diversity in all of its forms, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across our campus community. The University is committed to policies of affirmative action designed to increase the employment opportunities of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1973.

• Staff Full Time (1500 hours or greater) 1