Manufacturing Engineer, Advanced Manufacturing Lab

National Center for Defense Manufacturing • Mentor, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory in Mentor, Ohio is being established as a cutting-edge facility designed to support the development, integration, and operation of next-generation manufacturing technologies. The laboratory will serve as a hands-on environment for automated and advanced manufacturing, housing capabilities such as additive manufacturing, composites processing, CNC machining, metrology, and testing.
This facility will play a critical role in advancing manufacturing innovation, supporting production readiness, and enabling experimentation and technology maturation. Built from the ground up, the lab represents a long-term investment in advanced manufacturing excellence, workforce capability, and operational readiness.

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a central and highly visible role in the design, development, and operation of the Advanced Manufacturing Laboratory. This is a high-impact opportunity for a mid- to senior-level manufacturing professional to help shape a new capability from concept through steady-state operation.
You will collaborate closely with engineering, operations, and leadership teams to define facility layout, equipment integration, operational standards, and long-term manufacturing strategy. This role is ideal for a hands-on, systems-minded engineer who enjoys building new capabilities, establishing best practices, and working across disciplines in a dynamic technical environment.
The team culture values collaboration, accountability, and innovation. Candidates who are self-starters, adaptable, and comfortable operating in evolving environments will thrive in this role.

Requirements

• Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience)
• Has mid- to senior-level experience working in a manufacturing environment
• Possesses a strong foundation in manufacturing processes, with hands-on or practical exposure to automated or advanced manufacturing systems
• Has experience supporting or leading facility setup, equipment installation, or production line development
• Demonstrates the ability to develop clear standards, procedures, and technical documentation
• Exhibits strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively across technical and non-technical teams
• Able to obtain a U.S. security clearance

Nice To Haves

• Experience with materials-focused manufacturing, including metals, polymers, and/or composites
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing, CNC machining, composites processing, and/or metrology and testing systems
• Experience working in advanced manufacturing labs, R&D environments, or pilot production facilities
• Prior involvement in bringing new manufacturing capabilities online from concept through operational readiness

Responsibilities

• Leading and supporting the design and layout of an advanced manufacturing laboratory, including equipment flow, safety considerations, utilities, and infrastructure requirements
• Developing, documenting, and maintaining operational standards, processes, and procedures for laboratory operations and advanced manufacturing equipment
• Overseeing and coordinating the installation, commissioning, and acceptance of manufacturing equipment, including additive manufacturing systems, composites equipment, CNC machines, metrology, testing, and automation technologies
• Supporting the initial operation and ramp-up of the facility by ensuring equipment readiness, process stability, and compliance with applicable standards
• Collaborating with engineering, operations, and leadership stakeholders to align laboratory capabilities with organizational goals and future manufacturing needs
• Identifying and driving opportunities for manufacturing efficiency, automation, and technology integration over time
• Ensuring adherence to safety, quality, security, and compliance requirements throughout facility development and ongoing operations

What This Job Offers

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