Principal Investigator

Velo3D•Fremont, CA

1d•$174,000 - $190,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Principal Investigator with expertise in additive manufacturing and mechanical engineering to lead the technical execution of advanced manufacturing programs, including projects with U.S. government customers. This role operates at the intersection of engineering leadership, program management, and customer interface, ensuring that technical deliverables meet contractual, regulatory, and engineering requirements. The successful candidate will act as the technical lead or principal investigator on key programs, translating government or customer requirements into engineering specifications, manufacturing plans, and inspection criteria while coordinating cross-functional execution.

Requirements

BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
12+ years experience in mechanical engineering or advanced manufacturing with significant exposure to hardware manufacturing
Deep expertise with metal additive manufacturing / 3D printing technologies (laser powder bed fusion preferred)
Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar CAD platforms
Experience working with government customers or government-funded programs
Strong background in technical documentation and engineering specifications
Ability to manage technical execution of complex programs

Responsibilities

Serve as technical lead or principal investigator on additive manufacturing programs.
Manage technical execution of government and advanced manufacturing contracts.
Translate program requirements into engineering specifications, manufacturing plans, and deliverables.
Lead activities across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and program management teams.
Lead design and development of mechanical components produced via additive manufacturing.
Develop technical specifications, qualification plans, and inspection criteria to satisfy program requirements.
Review engineering designs, specifications, and quality requirements for manufacturability, material compatibility, and compliance with program requirements.
Lead technical side of development of prototype and production hardware.
Develop and maintain technical documentation required for government contracts, including: Specifications, Test plans, Inspection plans, Technical reports, Compliance documentation.
Support proposal responses and technical sections of government bids.
Serve as technical point of contact for government and institutional customers.
Present technical progress, design reviews, and milestones to stakeholders.
Support audits, program reviews, and technical discussions with customers.
Use SolidWorks or equivalent CAD tools to review or develop designs.
Support additive manufacturing workflows including: Design for additive manufacturing (DfAM), Part qualification, TRL and MRL assessments and progression plans, Inspection and verification.