Manufacturing Research Engineer – 018-26 (Mentor, OH)

National Center for Defense Manufacturing • Mentor, OH

10d • Onsite

About The Position

America Makes is seeking a Manufacturing Research Engineer to join a diverse team focused on growing and maturing adaptive and additive manufacturing supply chains. The role involves executing a variety of activities, including facilitating meetings, documenting technical details, analyzing data, supporting the creation of technical documents, and public speaking. The engineer will maintain a deep understanding of the America Makes program, various manufacturing technologies and engineering principles (such as systems engineering, data analytics, AI/ML, digital engineering, and business case analysis), defense acquisition frameworks, risk management, manufacturing operations, quality assurance, data management, and technoeconomic factors. The position also requires developing and sharing instructions, leading group discussions, building a professional network, staying aware of subject matter experts and industry roles, and developing plans and schedules for programmatic and professional development goals. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, creative team player passionate about advanced manufacturing, with strong time management, communication, and leadership skills. They should be willing to learn, share ideas, ask questions, seek feedback, and keep team members informed. Experience in collaborative environments, managing technical projects, and a service-oriented mindset are highly valued. Strategic thinking and systematic execution are key to success in this role.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field
• 3+ years of experience in additive manufacturing or advanced manufacturing
• Experience managing technical projects or engineering programs
• Experience supporting or leading diverse and multi-disciplinary teams
• Working knowledge of AM technologies and manufacturing processes
• 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.)

Nice To Haves

• Experience in defense industry
• Experience in developing, scaling, demonstrating, and qualifying manufacturing technology
• Experience in product development
• Experience in a manufacturing start-up environment
• Strong awareness of existing state of the art in manufacturing technology
• 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
• Technical writing - prior publication record (peer reviewed journals)
• Experience with government contracting (IP, export, and data management) and proposal writing and review
• Experience developing manufacturing specifications and/or standards
• Experience with government funded research consortia

Responsibilities

• 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 of 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

Benefits

• NCDMM is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment 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.
• NCDMM, as a government contractor, is required to verify all employees through the E-Verify system to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

What This Job Offers

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