Senior Manager, Additive Manufacturing Operations

Divergent•Torrance, CA

2h•$156,640 - $215,380•Onsite

About The Position

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production. We are seeking an exceptional, results-driven Senior Manager of Additive Manufacturing Operations to lead and scale our Factory 1 production organization. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving world-class execution across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development while shaping the future of manufacturing. The Additive Manufacturing organization leverages proprietary, state-of-the-art systems and processes to execute metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), depowdering, manual and automated support removal, surface finishing, heat treatment, and inspection across multiple factory sites supporting both prototype and high-rate production. This role is ideal for an ambitious operations leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments and combines strong manufacturing fundamentals with data-driven decision making, automation, and continuous improvement. Beyond delivering daily operational performance, this leader will develop people, build scalable operating systems, and partner with engineering to industrialize new technologies that will define the next generation of manufacturing. The ideal candidate is energized by difficult manufacturing challenges, inspires high-performing teams, and is passionate about building organizations capable of delivering exceptional results.

Requirements

Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls.
Demonstrated success leading complex manufacturing operations in high-performance production environments.
Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing technical organizations.
Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience using manufacturing data and operational metrics to drive strategic decision making and measurable business results.
Proven ability to execute in startup or rapidly scaling manufacturing environments while effectively navigating ambiguity and change.
Demonstrated success improving operational performance through equipment reliability, process optimization, and organizational development.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Weld Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience).

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience in metal additive manufacturing or other advanced manufacturing environments.
Experience with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) production systems.
Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards, including AS9100 and NADCAP.
Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, or similar operational excellence methodologies.
Experience leading automation, Industry 4.0, MES, or digital manufacturing initiatives.
Demonstrated success scaling manufacturing organizations through periods of rapid growth.

Responsibilities

Lead Factory 1 additive manufacturing operations to achieve world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and equipment reliability.
Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement.
Drive disciplined daily management through standard work, visual management, structured problem solving, and operational rigor.
Optimize manufacturing flow by increasing equipment uptime, eliminating bottlenecks, improving process repeatability, and maximizing production throughput.
Partner closely with Platform Development, Manufacturing Engineering, and Automation teams to successfully launch new equipment, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities.
Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement across all additive manufacturing processes.
Establish scalable operating systems that improve efficiency, stability, and manufacturing readiness as production grows.
Utilize manufacturing data, KPIs, and analytics to drive operational decisions and prioritize improvement initiatives.
Develop meaningful performance dashboards and operating rhythms that enable rapid identification and resolution of production issues.
Lead initiatives to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), first-pass yield, cycle time, labor productivity, and cost per part.
Continue developing the in-house Additive Manufacturing Service organization by strengthening technical capability, preventive maintenance programs, troubleshooting processes, and technician training.
Drive reliability initiatives that maximize printer availability, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve long-term equipment performance.
Partner with technical teams to identify recurring equipment issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Ensure strict adherence to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), work instructions, process controls, and quality standards.
Monitor key operational metrics and hold teams accountable for achieving business objectives.
Drive disciplined root cause analysis and corrective actions to eliminate recurring manufacturing issues.
Develop clear, actionable operational reporting that enables data-driven decision making across the organization.
Foster a safety-first culture aligned with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) standards and best practices.
Partner with EHS to proactively develop and implement safety initiatives that reduce operational risk.
Ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet internal quality requirements and applicable industry standards.
Develop, manage, and execute the Factory 1 Additive Manufacturing operating budget while balancing productivity, cost, and long-term capability investments.