Senior/Lead Manufacturing Development Engineer

SENIOR/LEAD MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits. As a Senior/Lead Manufacturing Development Engineer, you will lead the design and implementation of novel factory technologies to accelerate and automate our post-processing and part delivery operations. This role blends deep technical engineering development with hands-on manufacturing implementation. You will apply first-principles thinking to streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and pioneer scalable, robust processes for the world’s first high-throughput metal 3D printing factory. We’re looking for a highly technical and hands-on engineer with a background in hardware development and a passion for building the future of manufacturing. This is a high-impact, cross-functional role with opportunities for leadership and growth. Responsibilities: Design and implement scalable systems and processes to automate post-print operations, reduce lead time, and enable factory throughput expansion Lead development and integration of new manufacturing hardware and tooling to support next-generation factory archite [... source excerpt omitted ...] mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineers to co-develop factory solutions Drive continuous improvement initiatives across the full post-processing workflow Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, or related Engineering discipline 5+ years of professional experience in engineering development or manufacturing engineering Experience in a fast-paced hardware development or manufacturing environment Nice to Have: 8+ years of experience in hardware or manufacturing development roles Technical leadership experience Prior experience leading factory buildouts, production line deployment, or automation systems integration Background in post-pr [... source excerpt omitted ...] Strong Excel/data analysis capabilities Knowledge of OSHA/EHS standards Location: Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country. Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions. What We Offer: We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decision