Lead Applications Engineer (Aerospace & Defense)

Lead Applications Engineer (Aerospace & Defense)

Los Angeles, CA (On-site)

Lead Applications Engineer (Aerospace & Defense)

Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.

Freeform is hiring a Lead Applications Engineer to serve as the primary technical interface between Freeform and a portfolio of our most advanced aerospace and defense customers. This is a deeply technical, customer-facing engineering role responsible for understanding customer applications end-to-end, translating real engineering problems into manufacturable solutions, and articulating what Freeform's technology can unlock. You will own the technical relationship with customers, guide them through application discovery and feasibility, and help shape how Freeform's manufacturing platform is deployed across some of the most ambitious programs in the industry.

The ideal candidate comes from a strong engineering background, understands complex aerospace and defense systems, and is comfortable engaging directly with senior engineers and decision makers at highly sophisticated and cutting-edge organizations. This person should be comfortable leading deep technical discussions across performance, manufacturability, materials, qualification, and production tradeoffs, and translating those conversations into a broader, programmatic vision that helps customers understand how Freeform's technology can unlock entirely new design and production possibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for a portfolio of strategic aerospace and defense customers
• Lead deep technical discussions with customer engineering teams across applications such as: propulsion systems, heat exchangers and thermal management hardware, valves and fluid systems, turbomachinery components, combustion devices, lightweight structural components and assemblies
• Develop a deep understanding of customer system requirements, constraints, and performance drivers
• Translate customer needs into manufacturable solutions using Freeform's technology, including geometry, materials, tolerances, and production considerations
• Clearly articulate what Freeform's manufacturing platform can and cannot deliver, including tradeoffs and constraints
• Independently answer advanced technical questions related to materials, processes, qualification pathways, and production scalability
• Identify where Freeform's technology enables new designs, architectures, or performance regimes that were previously impractical or impossible
• Work closely with internal engineering and operations teams to align on feasibility, execution, and roadmap - but without depending on them for basic technical credibility
• Guide customers through early application exploration, development phases, and transition into production
• Build long-term, trust-based technical relationships with customer engineers, program managers, and technical leadership
• Provide feedback from the field to influence Freeform's product, process, and roadmap decisions

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or similar technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in an engineering, program management, or leadership role within the aerospace, defense, or closely related high-performance industry
• Strong systems-level understanding of complex mechanical hardware and how components function within larger assemblies

Nice to Have:

• Prior experience in a customer-facing technical role such as applications engineering, systems engineering, or field engineering
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders
• Experience with propulsion systems, thermal systems, fluid systems, turbomachinery, or high-performance structural components
• Familiarity with metal manufacturing processes, including additive manufacturing, casting, forging, or advanced machining
• Experience supporting hardware through development, qualification, and production ramp
• Strong intuition for design-for-manufacturing and production scalability
• Strategic thinker with a strong business acumen
• Team player, positive attitude, growth mindset, integrity, accountability, adaptability, entrepreneurial, driven, results-oriented and ethical

Location:

• Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA's deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.
• Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.

What We Offer:

• We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.
• We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.
• Benefits
  • Significant stock option packages
  • 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)
  • Life insurance
  • Traditional and Roth 401(k)
  • Relocation assistance provided
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays
  • Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent
  • Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette
  • Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events
• Compensation
  • As a growing company, the salary range is intentionally wide as we determine the most appropriate package for each individual taking into consideration years of experience, educational background, and unique skills and abilities as demonstrated throughout the interview process. Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company's current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role.
  • In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $120,000-$185,000. The upper end of the range is reserved for individuals who demonstrate exceptional experience, deep domain mastery, and a proven history of high performance and impact.
• Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.