Senior Welding & Additive Manufacturing Engineer (Aerospace & Automotive)

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.

Purpose

Join our mission to advance high-performance manufacturing in the aerospace and automotive sectors by leading innovations in Additive Manufacturing (AM). This role applies core welding engineering principles to optimize laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) processes, ensuring printed material meets the stringent structural, thermal, and quality requirements of aerospace and automotive applications. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in metallurgy, joining processes, and manufacturing systems to help us deliver next-generation parts with unmatched performance, reliability, and traceability.

The Role

• Leverage welding engineering and metallurgical expertise to drive improvements in AM part quality, process consistency, and cost reduction for flight-critical and high-performance automotive components.
• Apply knowledge of thermal cycles, solidification behavior, and residual stress management to optimize AM process parameters and post-processing workflows.
• Define and lead qualification activities for AM materials and processes in accordance with aerospace and automotive standards (e.g., AMS, AS9100, PPAP).
• Collaborate with quality, design, and manufacturing teams to evaluate process feasibility, risk, and producibility of AM components.
• Develop and maintain equipment control plans and technical specifications that support repeatable, certifiable manufacturing processes.
• Support resolution of quality non-conformances, lead root cause investigations, and develop corrective action plans grounded in engineering fundamentals.
• Contribute to cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) improvements by identifying and validating process efficiency opportunities.
• Actively support process audits and participate in customer or regulatory reviews.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
• B.S. in Welding Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in welding or additive manufacturing within a production environment, ideally in aerospace or automotive sectors.
• Deep understanding of metallurgical fundamentals including microstructure control, heat treatment, and weld solidification.
• Experience in metal AM processes (preferably L-PBF), including process development and parameter optimization.
• Familiarity with statistical methods and DOE for process qualification and control.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Welding Engineering, Materials Science, or related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with aerospace AM part development and qualification processes.
• Knowledge of key industry standards (e.g., AS9100, ISO 9001, AMS7000 series, NADCAP, PPAP).
• Experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining AM or welding equipment.
• Proficient with CAD systems (Teamcenter / NX) and scripting for data analysis (Python, MATLAB, or C++).
• Experience authoring technical documentation such as control plans, specifications, and test procedures.
• Strong communication and technical presentation skills.
• Passion for process improvement and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Work Environment

• Mix of office, lab, and factory floor.
• Work in HVAC-controlled L-PBF print room and metallurgical lab.
• ISO 9001 / AS9100 certified manufacturing environments with exposure to regulated aerospace and automotive programs.

Compensation

At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels E05 - E07 as evaluated through our interview process. 

• E05 / Senior: $122,400 - $168,300 
• E06 / Lead: $141,400 - $194,400
  
• E07 / Principal: