Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer

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

Job summary

Motive Workforce is seeking a Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer for our advanced manufacturing organization in Long Beach, CA. This on-site role focuses on designing, developing, and producing hardware using metal additive manufacturing, including DMLS and related AM technologies.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on AM experience, CAD proficiency, and a solid understanding of materials and metallurgy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related discipline.
• 3–6 years of experience in metal additive manufacturing or similar manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on 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 ITAR requirements and be eligible for DoD security clearance.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Metal AM processes

CAD modeling

GD&T

Process development

Thermal-mechanical understanding

Onsite work

US ITAR readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering / Aerospace Engineering / Materials Engineering

Tools

DMLS

Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF)

Job description

Job Details

Engineering

Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer Long Beach, CA Posted: 9/24/2026

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.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials 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.