Lead Engineer, Additive Manufacturing - Secret Clearance

Quest Defense Systems & Solutions • East Hartford, CT

1d • $108,000 - $120,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Join the elite team at QDSS where our engineers are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge Aerospace, Defense, Space, and Medical Device products. Your work will make a real impact, contributing to the core of engineering solutions that drive technological advancements. Role overview: This role is for a hands-on technical leader to direct a gas turbine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) team driving design-to-build innovation and execution across a variety of methods from additive to related final machining. This role owns a variety of small gas turbine parts from concept to hardware. The focus is on speed, iterative design and ultimately scalable production. Due to nature of these roles, applicants must be US Citizen and either hold or be willing to obtain a security clearance. This role is 100% onsite in either East Hartford, CT or West Palm Beach, FL. This role offers a unique blend of technical depth, collaborative innovation, and dynamic team engagement, where your expertise will play a crucial role in shaping the future of gas turbine technology. At Quest Defense Systems and Solutions , we don’t just build technology — we engineer the future. From next-generation aerospace solutions to cutting-edge defense systems, we tackle the toughest, mission-critical challenges that keep people safe and push the boundaries of innovation. This is where problem-solvers, innovators, and visionary thinkers come together to shape the future. With over 25 years of aerospace and defense engineering expertise, our commitment to delivering high-quality, transformative solutions sets us apart — not just as an industry leader, but as a driving force for impactful change. Together, we’re not just leading the industry — we’re revolutionizing it. Quest Defense provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

• Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Expertise: Possess 5-12 years of hands-on experience in additive manufacturing and engineering of gas turbine components (aerospace strongly preferred)
• Specialized Knowledge: Exhibit expertise in areas such as manufacturability across hot structures, turbine frames, combustors, exhausts, or compressor cases, and be well-versed in aspects including manufacturing requirements, alloys, durability properties, processes, production capabilities, limitations, and MRB (Material Review Board) procedures.
• Educational Foundation: Hold at least a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering from a recognized and accredited university.
• Deadline-Oriented: Showcase your track record of meeting deadlines, thriving under time constraints, and maintaining composure while handling multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Citizenship Requirement: Due to the nature of the work, all candidates must be U.S. Citizens.
• Security Clearance: Due to the nature of the work, candidates must possess or be willing to obtain a DoD Secret/Collateral clearance.

Nice To Haves

• CAD/PLM/ Tool Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing CAD like Siemens NX , Teamcenter for product life cycle management.
• Technical Drawing Interpretation: Possess the ability to interpret technical drawings with a sound understanding of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Strong Communication Skills: Display strong oral and written communication skills, enabling effective interaction with employees and managers across all organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Design to Manufacturing Integration: Own a selected, diverse array of small gas turbine components from design through to delivered hardware, ensuring their integrity and performance.
• Design to Build Integration: Rapidly iterate designs, while closing the loop of design, build and test by feeding the learnings back into engineering at each stage.
• Rapid Build & Iteration: Lead rapid build cycles like print→machine→inspect→build→learn, while collapsing timelines through iterations
• Manufacturing Strategy Leadership: select and manage non-traditional suppliers across AM and post processes like machining, surface finish, coatings and inspection. Balance cost, speed and quality
• Execution Leadership: Set the standard of urgency while closely partnering with design, analysis, test and manufacturing teams to deliver flight-worthy hardware.
• Engineering Problem Solving: Leverage your experience and engineering understanding to address the array of complex challenges, which will be the result of working outside of traditional aerospace timelines and constraints

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level