Technical Director

The Forging Industry Association (FIA) is a leading trade association representing forging producers and suppliers across North America. FIA is seeking a full time Technical Director to join our team. FIA’s mission is to enhance the global competitiveness of its members through advocacy, industry benchmarking, networking, technological innovation, and world-class education. Visit for more information.

The Technical Director will work with the Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF).

FIERF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the forging industry through technological development, education, and workforce initiatives. As a supporting organization of the Forging Industry Association (FIA), FIERF fosters industry growth by promoting education, offering scholarships, sharing career opportunities, and encouraging participation in forging-related research. Learn more at

This role offers both a fully remote environment or an in-person environment, based in Independence, Ohio.

Position Overview

The Technical Director will work directly with the President & CEO and will be responsible for influencing technical direction for forging R & D; leading the development and management of one or more certification programs; monitoring technical projects funded by FIERF, managing government contracts; serving as the staff liaison for FIA’s Technical Committee; teaching core fundamental forging courses and procuring online courses for Forging University, and creating/editing/contracting FIA technical publications.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Technical Project Oversight:

• Serves as lead for creating and managing one or more certificate programs.
• Oversees Forging Foundation technical projects and government projects.
• Tracks progress of research projects and checks reports for accuracy.
• Liaison with university, community colleges, and DOD project leads.
• Travels to partner schools and members for project kick-offs, status and verification of work performed.

Educational Courses:

• Instructs live forging fundamentals trainings and other classes and webinars for members.
• Reviews and edits FIA course presentation content for live workshops and training.
• Project lead for cohort that will develop certification program for forging professionals.
• Forging University (Online) Education Lead.
• Finds talent to develop both in person and online forging courses.
• Creates and delivers pre-recorded Forging University and other courses.
• Procures existing forging courses onto Forging University platform.

ICON Project Management:

• Continues to populate the Integrated Casting Order Network (ICON) with members’ forging capabilities and capacities.
• Contact members for military legacy tooling in inventory and populate ICON database with same.
• Interface with ICON project management team at Non-Ferrous Founding Society (NFFS).
• Responsible for recruiting members and schools for committees and projects.
• Liaison for FIA Technical Committee.
• Develops bi-annual TechCON Forging Conference with Tech Committee.
• Co-Liaison for FIA Plant Engineering & Safety Committees.
• Serves as Technical Director resource for all committee requests and needs (e.g., safety, plant engineering, public policy).

Government & Military Contracts:

• Attends military shows and conferences.
• Liaison for Army Research Lab (ARL) – Metal Forging Improvement Program annual appropriation.
• Assists President & CEO with preparation for congressional hearings.

FIA Technical Publications:

• Contributes articles to FIA Magazine and technical publications.
• Proofs technical reports submitted by universities for FIA publications.

Education, Skills, and Experience

Bachelor’s or higher degrees in metallurgy, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering or manufacturing degrees with at least 10 years of relevant experience within forging industry preferred.

Experience with technical roles (engineering, sales, marketing), academic/teaching experience; government funded research/contracts experiences, and experience with nonprofit organizations is also considered desirable experience.

Creation and/or management of certification programs preferred.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to resolve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Benefits

• 401(k) Plan with Employer Match & Employer Safe Harbor
• 100% employer paid insurance – Medical, Dental & Vision.
• 100% employer paid insurance – Life, AD&D, Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Health savings account (HSA) with employer contributions
• Monthly Allowance (mobile phone/home internet)
• Flexible daily schedule

Schedule

• Flexible start time; business hours - 8 hour days
• Monday to Friday

Job Type: Full-time

Annual Salary Range: $120,000 - $140,000 based on experience

The Forging Industry Association (FIA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer

• Recommended wage range based on level of experience and adjustment for demographic locations as role is remote.