Engineering Manager, Materials Test
About The Position
Hadrian is building autonomous factories using AI, advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing to help aerospace and defense companies produce mission-critical systems faster and at lower cost. The company is expanding its manufacturing capabilities and Factory-as-a-Service platform. The Engineering Manager, Materials Test will build and lead Hadrian’s new materials testing capability, operating the flagship materials test lab at the Los Angeles headquarters and managing its engineers and technicians. The lab will provide data for welding, casting, forging, and additive manufacturing teams. The manager will select equipment, establish data collection and storage practices, prioritize lab work across teams, and develop the flagship lab into a deployable package for other factories. This role has substantial ownership and autonomy, with responsibility for technical direction, lab operations, equipment procurement and installation, automation and documentation, safety, quality, traceability, and standardization across sites. The role requires travel to other sites.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, materials, aerospace, or electrical engineering, or 8+ years of equivalent experience.
- 3+ years designing, buying, or installing test or manufacturing equipment.
- At least 1 year leading people, including engineers, technicians, or both.
- Hands-on materials testing experience with metals or composites.
- Working knowledge of ASTM test standards, the equipment used to run them, and when each applies.
- Experience writing work instructions and process documentation for a lab or production floor.
- Ability to set technical direction and defend it with teams the role does not manage.
- Ability to travel to other sites.
Nice To Haves
- Experience standing up a new lab or test capability from scratch.
- Experience supervising both engineers and technicians.
- System-level testing on hardware more complex than materials specimens.
- Test automation experience in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar.
- Experience in a regulated environment with strict traceability requirements, such as AS9100, ISO/IEC 17025, or Nadcap.
- Experience rolling out a process or capability across multiple sites.
- Experience with 5S or a similar program in a high-mix shop.
Responsibilities
- Lead day-to-day operations of the flagship materials test lab.
- Hire, manage, and develop a team of engineers and technicians.
- Make final decisions on technical direction for materials testing.
- Select, purchase, and install tensile, impact, hardness, metallography, and chemistry equipment, as well as specimen-preparation machines such as saws, waterjets, and EDMs; design custom test equipment when needed.
- Set data collection, labeling, and storage requirements for materials testing, working with software and data teams to build supporting tools.
- Write test automation, work instructions, process plans, and technician training materials.
- Set priorities across welding, casting, forging, and additive teams to provide on-time, quality data.
- Own lab safety and quality risks through engineering controls.
- Work with quality teams to maintain full traceability for every material and test result.
- Standardize workflows and tools with the rest of the test team.
- Package the lab for deployment to new factories and programs.
- Travel to other sites.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees.
- 401k.
- Relocation support may be provided in certain situations, based on business need.
- Flexible vacation policy.
- Equity.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
