Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer

Motive Companies; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Motive Companies, LLC in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer to lead metal AM development and production efforts on aerospace/defense hardware. This onsite role focuses on designing, developing, and optimizing laser powder bed fusion processes, applying DfAM, and ensuring AS9100 quality while collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and projects teams.

Candidates should have 3–6 years of metal AM experience, be proficient with CAD and GD&T, and be

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (relevant fields).
• 3–6 years of metal AM experience.
• Hands-on with metal AM technologies (DMLS/L-PBF).
• CAD modeling and interpretation of engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of GD&T.
• Understanding of thermal–mechanical behavior and materials science.
• Experience developing or optimizing manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work onsite in Long Beach.
• U.S. Person required under ITAR.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement metal AM processes for hardware production.
• Apply DfAM to improve part designs and manufacturability.
• Review customer requirements for AM parts and processes.
• Develop manufacturing process plans and technical documentation.
• Support engineering proposals and responses to customer RFps.
• Coordinate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and project teams to meet schedules.
• Troubleshoot AM processes and equipment.
• Support equipment testing, maintenance, and optimization.
• Participate in R&D programs and process improvements.
• Support AS9100 quality documentation and compliance.
• Evaluate new AM technologies, materials, and methods.
• Drive continuous improvement across AM operations.

Skills

DfAM

Metal AM

GD&T

Materials science

Thermal mechanics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Materials/Manufacturing Eng

Tools

CAD modeling

Engineering drawings

Job description

Job Details

Engineering

Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer

Long Beach,CA

Posted:9/24/2026

Job ID#: 86929

Job Category: Engineering

Position Type: Direct

Duration: Direct

Shift: 1

Motive Workforce is seeking a Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer for an advanced manufacturing organization in Long Beach supporting aerospace, defense, and other highly technical applications.

This is an onsite, hands-on engineering position focused on the design, development, and production of hardware using metal additive manufacturing. The Senior AM Engineer will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and project teams to develop and optimize processes, troubleshoot production challenges, and support the delivery of high-quality manufactured hardware.

The role is well suited for an engineer with direct experience in laser powder bed fusion or other metal AM technologies who understands both the engineering and production sides of additive manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement metal additive manufacturing processes for hardware production.
• Apply Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) principles to improve part designs and manufacturability.
• Review and document customer requirements for AM parts and processes.
• Develop manufacturing process plans and technical documentation.
• Support engineering proposals and technical responses to customer RFPs.
• Work with engineering, manufacturing, quality, and project teams to support production schedules and part delivery.
• Troubleshoot additive manufacturing processes and equipment.
• Support equipment testing, evaluation, maintenance, and process optimization.
• Participate in R&D programs, new application development, and process improvement projects.
• Support compliance with AS9100 requirements and associated quality documentation.
• Evaluate new AM technologies, materials, processes, and manufacturing methods.
• Support continuous improvement across additive manufacturing operations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3-6 years of experience in metal additive manufacturing or a closely related manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience with metal AM technologies such as DMLS or laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF).
• Proficiency with CAD modeling and engineering drawing interpretation.
• Working knowledge of GD&T.
• Understanding of thermal-mechanical behavior, materials science, and metallurgy.
• Experience developing, troubleshooting, or optimizing manufacturing processes.
• Ability to work onsite in Long Beach.
• Must meet U.S. Person requirements under ITAR.
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace or defense manufacturing.
• Experience with secondary manufacturing processes such as CNC machining, heat treatment, assembly, surface treatment, or NDT.
• Experience with manufacturing process improvement or optimization projects.
• Advanced additive manufacturing coursework or certifications.
• U.S. citizenship is preferred. Lawful permanent residents may also be considered based on applicable requirements.

Work Environment

This position works across engineering offices, additive manufacturing labs, prototype areas, and production environments. The role requires regular interaction with industrial machinery and metal AM equipment.

Occasional extended hours or weekend work may be required to support production schedules, project deadlines, or equipment trials. Some travel to customer sites, suppliers, or training events may also be required.

Compensation

$130,000-$165,000 annually, depending on experience, qualifications, and relevant technical background.