Senior Manufacturing Research Engineer, America Makes About the role and team As a Manufacturing Research Engineer, you will be part of a diverse team that is collaborating to grow and mature adaptive and additive manufacturing supply chains. The Manufacturing Research Engineer will be responsible for executing a variety of activities which may include: • Facilitating meetings and workshops • Documenting technical details, aggregating information, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, identifying trends, and summarizing information • Supporting or leading the drafting of manuscripts, reports, and presentations • Public speaking - programmatic and technical information • Maintaining an understanding of the America Makes program including the role, function, goals, and merits of the program's essential components (pillars) • Maintaining an understanding manufacturing technology and engineering principles including all or some of the following: systems engineering, logistics/acquisition, standards/specification development, design, materials, processing, testing, inspection, data analytics, statistical methods, artificial intelligence/machine learning, digital engineering, digital twins, business case/cost analysis, qualification, and certification • Maintaining familiarity with defense acquisition frameworks including manufacturing technology development and manufacturing/technology readiness level progression • Maintaining a minimum understanding of risk management principles • Maintaining an understanding of manufacturing operations, quality assurance practices/protocols, and quality management systems • Maintaining an understanding of data management principles and common practices • Maintaining a minimum competency of technoeconomic (cost drivers) factors influencing manufacturing technology industrialization using data, surveys, published materials, and guidance from subject matter experts • Developing, sharing, and following instructions/procedures • Leading group discussions • Developing and maintaining a robust professional network including strategic partnerships • Maintaining awareness of subject matter experts, associated industries/fields, and their respective supply chain roles • Developing plans/schedules which establish time-based programmatic and/or professional development goals The ideal candidate is a collaborative and creative team player with a passion for advanced manufacturing technologies and a desire to advance domestic manufacturing competitiveness. Characteristics of candidates well suited for this role include: • Strong time management skills - be willing to make a plan, stick to it, and communicate changes effectively • Ability to lead discussions - recognize you and your voice matter, we get there as a team • Willingness to ask questions when matters are unfamiliar, unknown, or unclear - recognizing everyone's understanding is important • Willingness to learn, share ideas and observations, and question matters which are not clear or are ambiguous • Willingness to seek feedback, address challenges, and achieve clarity - we operate in an environment where even when we believe we understand; there is much to still learn • Strong communication skills concerning the following: goals, outcomes, project plans, work breakdown structures, risk, and technical details • Exhibit a passion for knowledge and willingness to learn in a fast-paced collaborative environment - the pursuit of knowledge is more important than being the person who is right and we will get there together is the culture of this team (maintaining alignment is critical!!!) • Great note taker and ability to retain knowledge quickly • A desire to keep team members (internal and external) informed of plans, logic, and goals - we will get there together • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor narrative to align with internal and external stakeholders' interests • Experience in collaborative work environments, working in teams, leading updates/project plan tracking/engagement with various stakeholders including external and internal customers • Demonstrate a passion for professional growth and learning which benefits organizational and customer needs/requirements • Candidates who exhibit a service mentally are most likely to succeed and quickly become leaders and/or critical team members in this role • Candidates who are able to think strategically and execute tasks systematically to plan are most suitable for this role - how to establish priority, operate intentionally (be strategic), and execute to plan is very important Required Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field • 7+ years of experience in additive manufacturing or advanced manufacturing • Experience in defense industry • Experience in developing, scaling, demonstrating, and qualifying manufacturing technology • Strong awareness of existing state of the art in manufacturing technology • Experience managing technical projects or engineering programs • Experience in leading diverse and multi-disciplinary teams • Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder coordination skills • Strong time management skills - understand yourself and your productivity, be willing to make a plan, deliver to it, and communicate changes to plan effectively • Proficient with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, OneNote, etc.) • Technical writing - prior publication record (peer reviewed journals) • Drive value creation of the research portfolio through promoting the tenants of effective technical communications - goals, objectives, motivations, approach, success metrics, data management, and reporting • Experience with government contracting (IP, export, and data management) and proposal writing and review Preferred Qualifications: • Advanced degree - Master's, Doctorate • Experience in product development • Experience in a manufacturing start-up environment • Experience developing manufacturing specifications and/or standards • Experience with government funded research consortia