Job Purpose- As the Sr. Director of Additive Manufacturing Technology & Applications at VulcanForms, you will drive implementation of a fully automated CAD-to-print workflow across VulcanForms' additive manufacturing platforms. Your scope spans design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) and automated part feasibility, build preparation and machine integration, and process and application development across VulcanForms current and future platforms as well as other OEM's equipment. You will work closely with the Digital and Factory Automation Engineering teams to deploy automated end-to-end solutions into our factories.
- You will also provide product development and program management leadership for remote deployed systems, including onsite support for such printers, and translate customer requirements into the technical and manufacturing requirements that drive our production systems. This role sits at the intersection of AM technology, automation, product development, and customer technical engagement. It calls for a hands-on, player-coach leader who can set system-level strategy, lead a small, high-caliber team, and personally engage in detailed engineering work as the workflow scales into future aerospace and defense manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities- Define and execute the multi-year technical roadmap for a fully automated CAD-to-print workflow, from incoming customer geometry through a validated, production-ready build. Establish the validation gates, documentation standards, configuration control, and engineering rigor required to deploy automated workflows in regulated, high-reliability production environments.
- Drive development of automated DfAM, part feasibility, and manufacturability analysis tools that enhance the company's quality and speed of assessing printability, cost, lead time, and risk early in a customer engagement.
- Implement innovative build preparation capabilities, including part orientation, nesting, support generation, slicing, and scan-strategy assignment, and their integration with machine control and factory systems.
- Drive AM process and application development across current and future platforms, establishing consistent practices and transferable process knowledge across a multi-platform fleet.
- Provide product development and program management leadership for remote deployed systems, including onsite support as required, owning technical milestones, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.
- Create processes to ensure we translate customer requirements into clear technical, design, and manufacturing requirements, and ensure they flow through the workflow into repeatable production outcomes.
- Serve as a senior technical point of contact for internal and external customers, supporting and/or leading AM feasibility assessments, technical reviews, and application development discussions across multiple business units.
- Partner with software, hardware, materials and process, manufacturing, quality, and commercial teams to integrate the CAD-to-print workflow with factory operations, digital & quality systems, and customer commitments.
- Lead and develop a small multidisciplinary team of engineers and technical specialists while remaining hands-on in technical reviews, prototyping, and problem-solving.
- Reinforce a culture of ownership, urgency, humility, craftsmanship, and first-principles engineering through technical engagement, decision-making, and day-to-day leadership.
Qualifications- 10+ years of experience in metal additive manufacturing, with significant hands-on experience in laser powder bed fusion process and application development for production.
- 5+ years of experience leading engineering, applications, or product development teams, or technical programs, within advanced manufacturing environments.
- Deep expertise across the AM digital thread, including DfAM, build preparation, support generation, nesting, slicing, and machine integration, with hands-on experience using commercial build-preparation and simulation tools.
- Experience developing processes and applications on multiple commercial LPBF platforms, such as EOS, Renishaw, Nikon SLM, or comparable systems.
- Demonstrated success automating engineering or manufacturing workflows, working closely with software teams to define requirements, architecture, and validation approaches.
- Track record of delivering AM parts / processes into certified or regulated demanding serial-production applications, preferably in aerospace and defense.
- Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-velocity environments and drive alignment across organizations while working remotely.
- Hands-on, player-coach leadership style with the technical depth to engage in detailed engineering reviews while setting system-level strategy.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match.
The annual base salary range for this position is $250,000 to $300,00.
