Job Information
General Atomics and Affiliated Companies Additive Manufacturing Application Engineer in Poway, California
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a world leader in proven, reliable remotely piloted aircraft and tactical reconnaissance radars, as well as advanced high-resolution surveillance systems.
We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and self-driven Additive Manufacturing (AM) Applications Engineer in our AM department located in Poway, CA. This position will occupy a strategic role in the growth of AM at GA-ASI, supporting next generation UAS platform development by leveraging a variety of AM technologies, materials and processes. This position will act as AM technical SME (subject matter expert) to identify opportunities for AM to support the objectives of the Advanced Programs group with current and upcoming contracts/proposals on a wide range of unmanned aerial system programs. Specifically, this position will be providing both AM expertise and trade analysis skills to establish a strong bridge between the GA-ASI AM department capabilities and the needs of the various business groups. This role will be involved in driving simultaneously several projects that will range from technical proposals, technical scope of work definition, coordination with AM project engineering, support as technical liaison between various engineering stakeholder teams, driving new AM applications, IRAD (Internal Research And Development) efforts, communications, as well as delivering AM periodical updates to the working teams and to the leadership on program technical deliverables. This role is part of the AM Application Development group within the Additive Design & Manufacturing Center of Excellence, and is dedicated to serve established programs of record, next generation advanced programs and its various engineering teams. This role will have a major component of outward-facing interactions with various engineering, quality, program stakeholder teams across GA-ASI, and potentially with the Company’s customers. Although it is part of the Aircraft Systems Manufacturing division, this position will also be a key interface role between various other internal and external divisions (P&Ls) and groups such as Program Offices, Design Engineering, Materials & Processes Engineering, Airworthiness Engineering, Field Ops, Quality, Marketing and Supply Chain management. This position will be key to help integrate AM applications into GA-ASI’s future products, as part of the Center of Excellence mission statement. This position will provide the candidate with a unique opportunity to be a key contributor at the forefront of the growth of plastics, metals, tooling, and composites AM at GA-ASI.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Subject Matter Expert (SME) on best industry practices for AM capability (how and where to use different AM technologies, and what it takes to implement those technologies).
Subject Matter Expert (SME) on AM technologies in a production environment. Technologies of interest/covered would be (but not limited to): Fused Deposition Modeling – FDM, Selective Laser Sintering – SLS, Laser Powder Bed Fusion – LPBF, Binder Jet (sand), LSAM/BAAM, Direct Energy Deposition – Wired (DED-W), SLA, DLP, MJF and other AM technologies.
Key interface for application development and discovery support with engineering stakeholders such as design, program management, quality, materials & process and metrology.
Perform business trade studies on new application potentials, leveraging internal AM and Non-AM capabilities and resources, as well as external partners/suppliers.
Develop project technical AM scope of work based on interactions with the engineering stakeholders, and work closely with AM project engineering to drive AM projects/applications to completion.
Keep records of project engagements, technical application best practices and lessons learned, and develop associated AM application growth metrics and best reporting practices for visibility at AM MFG group, stakeholders and leadership levels, up to executive level.
Participate and drive communication initiative to promote AM knowledge transfer and awareness across the GA&A company.
Develop strategic plan, based on the pool of applications funnel and engaged programs, to support R&D, staffing, equipment procurement and technology/material qualification roadmap plan in support of AM leadership.
Develop, maintain and communicate AM application library using intranet tools/platforms.
Closely work with all internal AM technology work cells and AM Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, M&P, Stress engineering, and other internal stakeholders to ensure best project flow.
Support AM manufacturing engineers with their respective AM technology, to identify process and material gaps and/or improvement, develop strategies to close them, and participate in their implementation plans in support of AM project engineering.
Work closely with procurement, production planning and logistics stakeholder in the execution of AM application projects.
Participate, support and drive multiple R&D projects connected to application development efforts.
Closely work with DfAM engineering to assess and support new applications development efforts and provide guidance on best approaches to AM designs.
Support technology exploration, assessment, qualification and incubation up to transfer into production and/or into the supply chain.
We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
43967
Job Qualifications:
Typically requires a bachelors degree, masters degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution and progressive engineering experience as follows; six or more years of experience with a bachelors degree, four or more years of experience with a masters degree, or two or more years with a PhD. May substitute equivalent engineering experience in lieu of education.
Extensive working knowledge of various AM industrial and prototyping technologies relevant to this role (e.g. FDM/FFF, SLS, LPBF/DLM/DMLS/DMLM, DED, EBM, BJT, and others) and their associated post-processing workflows. A minimum of 3 years in industrial AM is required.
Direct experience with AM application development workflows for either aviation, aerospace, space, defense industries is highly valued.
Direct experience with AM production industrial environment (production-level AM), specifically with FDM and/or DED and/or SLS and/or metal-LPBF production printers is required.
Ability and interest in learning and mastering new AM technologies, in alignment with GA-ASI’s AM roadmap and upcoming applications.
Direct experience with conventional mechanical CAD designs tools (such as Nx, Creo, SolidWorks, Catia, etc.), DfAM tools (such as Magics, Siemens, nTop, etc.), drawings and GD&T is required.
Direct experience with engineering project management
Direct experience in AM part quality and process controls, and inspection methodologies and technologies (e.g. CT scanning, other NDT, blue scanning, CMM, roughness, powder inspection MFI (melt flow index), etc.
Direct exposure with AM material qualification methodology, specifically applied to metal-LPBF, DED, SLS and FDM is valued.
Direct experience with trade study assessments, project scheduling and project management concepts is highly preferred
Demonstrated ability to form new partnerships and to connect with new stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple conflicting priorities.
Working knowledge of mechanical design engineering processes is a great advantage.
Working knowledge of overall AM industry is a big asset.
Ability to clearly and effectively communicate both verbally and in written form to both technical and non-technical audiences, especially regarding manufacturing processes, engineering issues and proposed changes, and quality issues and dispositions.
Ability to form and foster rich AM networking connections, and to keep engaged.
Significant experience with Microsoft Office PowerPoint and Excel is required. Other MS tools such as Project, Teams, Notes and Visio are desired.
Working knowledge of conventional manufacturing processes (complementary to AM processes, such as CNC machining, coating, plating, infiltrating, painting, injection molding, casting, investment casting, etc.) is a great advantage for this role.
Experience with ERP/MRP systems SAP and PLM such as Windchill/Teamcenter is an advantage.
Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment.
Must be self-driven, like to innovate, passionate about AM, with a desire to learn.
Ability to influence others, develop a plan and rally a team around it, lead small team.
Able to work extended hours when absolutely needed, and travel occasionally as required.
Ability to obtain and maintain DoD Security Clearance is required.
Salary: $98,100 - $171,398 Travel Percentage Required 0 - 25 Relocation Assistance Provided Not Provided US Citizenship Required? Yes Clearance Required? Desired Clearance Level Secret Workstyle Onsite
General Atomics is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, transitioning status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, medical condition, mental disability, physical disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law. EEO is the law. We also prohibit compensation discrimination under all applicable laws. To learn more visit https://tbcdn.talentbrew.com/company/499/v2_0/EEO Notices.pdf. U.S. Citizenship is required for certain positions.