Principal Additive Manufacturing Engineer - Applications

Motive Workforce; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company is seeking a Principal Additive Manufacturing Engineer to lead aerospace and defense projects. This senior role requires expertise in metal AM and a proven record in influencing design decisions. Ideal candidates will hold at least a Bachelor's degree in engineering and possess over 10 years of experience in aerospace AM. Full-time position based in California with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Recognized expertise in metal additive manufacturing for aerospace and defense.
• 10+ years in aerospace/defense AM engineering.
• Eligibility to obtain a DoD SECRET Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior technical lead for key aerospace programs.
• Lead AM strategy and qualification plans for customer missions.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance on AM.

Skills

Metal additive manufacturing expertise

Influencing design decisions

Knowledge of LPBF/DMLS processes

Aerospace materials science

CAD proficiency

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

NX CAD software

AM simulation tools

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Job description

Principal Additive Manufacturing Engineer – Applications

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This range is provided by Motive Workforce. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base Pay Range

$150,000.00/yr - $225,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from Motive Workforce

Principal Additive Manufacturing Engineer – Applications is a senior, customer-facing technical authority. You will work directly with aerospace and defense primes, OEMs, and government organizations to guide AM strategy, influence design decisions, and deliver advanced metal AM solutions for high-stakes missions. This role operates at a peer-to-peer level with senior customer engineers and plays a key part in shaping the future of AM adoption across critical defense and aerospace programs.

What You’ll Do

• Serving as the senior technical lead and trusted advisor for key aerospace and defense programs.
• Leading AM strategy, qualification plans, and adoption pathways across complex customer missions.
• Running technical design reviews, engineering workshops, and program strategy sessions with customer leadership.
• Translating mission and performance requirements into optimized metal AM solutions that balance cost, risk, and reliability.
• Developing high-impact proposals, white papers, and technical recommendations for advanced AM applications.
• Driving implementation of DfAM best practices, simulation-based optimization, and qualification approaches for mission-critical hardware.
• Working cross-functionally with business development, manufacturing, and quality teams on capture strategies and program execution.
• Acting as the primary technical interface from concept through qualification and production.
• Mentoring engineers and elevating the organization's customer-facing AM technical depth.
• Ensuring compliance with aerospace standards—AS9100D, NADCAP, MIL‑SPEC, ITAR, and other regulatory requirements.

What You Need to Bring

• Recognized expertise in metal additive manufacturing for aerospace and defense applications.
• A proven ability to influence design, qualification, and engineering decisions at primes, OEMs, and government agencies.
• Deep knowledge of LPBF/DMLS, DED, and hybrid AM processes and relevant alloys (Ti, Ni, Al, Cu).
• Strong background in aerospace materials science, metallurgy, and thermal‑mechanical behavior of AM components.
• Proficiency in CAD (NX preferred), AM simulation tools, and FEA, with the ability to present technical findings clearly.
• Demonstrated success presenting to executive and non‑technical customer stakeholders.
• Understanding of AS9100D, NADCAP, MMPDS, MIL‑SPEC, and aerospace certification and qualification pathways.
• Leadership skills to mentor and guide engineering teams in both technical execution and customer engagement.
• Bachelor’s degree required (Mechanical, Aerospace, or Materials Engineering).
• Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years in aerospace/defense AM engineering, advanced design, or manufacturing applications.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET Security Clearance (required for employment).

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Manufacturing

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Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)