Materials Engineer: Metal Additive Manufacturing

Job Description

Job Description

HRL Laboratories, an IBM company, pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers – ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other — often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned by IBM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art.

HRL Laboratories advances critical structural and functional materials and semiconductor devices that enable precision navigation, quantum technologies and extreme-environment performance. With expertise from design through deployment, we deliver scalable, high-performance solutions that transform our customers’ missions. Our work leverages digital manufacturing and scalable microfabrication techniques to meet tomorrow’s toughest challenges. 

Position Summary:

In this role, you will be part of a multidisciplinary team of engineers and scientists developing new materials and additive manufacturing processes for aerospace applications. This role offers the opportunity to make an immediate impact on a high-profile, America Makes funded project shaping the future of metal additive manufacturing. We are looking for a self-driven engineer interested in learning and advancing within our group. 

HRL Laboratories advances critical structural and functional materials and semiconductor devices that enable precision navigation, quantum technologies and extreme-environment performance. With expertise from design through deployment, we deliver scalable, high-performance solutions that transform our customers’ missions. Our work leverages digital manufacturing and scalable microfabrication techniques to meet tomorrow’s toughest challenges.  

Essential Duties:
•    Operate laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) metal 3D printers
•    Design, CAD, fabricate, and assemble prototype components and systems using additive manufacturing and conventional machining
•    Characterize 3D printed materials by pycnometry, x-ray computed tomography, metallography, etc.
•    Perform optical and scanning electron microscopy  
•    Set up and operate mechanical tests to characterize tensile strength and fatigue life
•    Coordinate outside vendors for specialty testing or analyses
•    Summarize key findings in written documents and slides

Required Qualifications:

•    BA/BS or master’s degree in engineering or physical sciences 
•    0-3 years of experience
•    Understanding of the basic principles of metals and mechanical engineering
•    Experience applying the scientific method to plan, conduct, and record experiments
•    Experience with organizing, analyzing, and presenting scientific data to support conclusions and recommendations
•    Experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) 
•    Knowledge of at least one programming language for engineering (Python, MATLAB, Mathematica)
•    Hands-on experience with additive manufacturing equipment and techniques 
•    Hands-on mechanical characterization experience
•    Creative problem solving and strong organizational skills
•    Excellent communication skills, both oral and written 
•    Ability to work well in a team environment 
•    Ability to operate independently 

Preferred Qualifications:

•    Experience with instrumentation and data acquisition

Physical Requirements:

•    Must be able to work for extended periods while standing or sitting at a computer workstation

•    Must be familiar with safe chemical handling practices and common laboratory safety procedures

•    Must be sufficiently mobile to work within a laboratory environment

Special Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Pay Range:  $81,100 - $98,900

• Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.  

• Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.  

• For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.) 

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. 

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.  

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 

For our privacy policy please visit:  

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.