Manufacturing Engineer (New Grad December 2026)

Job Description

**MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (NEW GRAD DECEMBER 2026)**
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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.

As a Manufacturing Engineer at Freeform, you'll be at the forefront of scaling production for high-performance metal 3D printed parts. You'll work with a talented engineering team from some of the world's most innovative companies across a range of projects to develop and refine the processes, tooling, and CNC machining workflows that enable precision manufacturing at speed and scale. This role is hands-on and fast-paced, ideal for someone eager to learn and contribute to the development of our autonomous metal 3D printing factories. You'll focus on optimizing post-processing and machining operations, helping to bridge the gap between R\&D and production.

3D printing experience is not required to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative individuals who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology!

**Responsibilities:**

* Work closely with engineers to design and implement scalable manufacturing processes for new hardware and printed parts
* Support part flow through the factory by improving fixturing, test procedures, and post-processing steps
* Develop lightweight documentation and process standards to support scaling production without slowing engineering iteration
* Build and iterate on tooling, jigs, and test setups to support reliable, high-throughput production
* Help identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in how parts, materials, and data move through the factory, and work with cross-functional teams to improve them
* Support early production of high-performance printed parts, helping bridge the gap between R\&D and high-rate manufacturing
* Contribute to CNC machining workflows, including programming, setup, and optimization of multi-axis operations for post-processing of printed parts

**Basic Qualifications:**

* Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering from an ABET-accredited university or college
* Hands on manufacturing or build experience from internships or engineering clubs such as FSAE, Baja SAE, solar car, rocket club, robotics club, or similar
* Experience working with hand tools, machinery, or complex hardware assembly

**Nice to Have:**

* Advanced degree (Master's, PhD) in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering
* Experience with CNC machining, including 3 or 5-axis programming and/or setup
* Experience with metal additive manufacturing or precision post-processing
* Exposure to fixturing, DFM, or process validation
* Experience scaling early-stage R\&D into production
* Familiarity with MRP/ERP tools and lightweight production tracking systems
* Familiarity with manufacturing process development in a fast-paced hardware environment
* Ability to translate high-level engineering goals into practical factory processes
* Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and iterating quickly (comfortable building the plane as we fly it)
* Strong communicator who collaborates across disciplines and proactively seeks support when needed
* Willing to take ownership of tasks big and small, with a hands-on, problem-solving mindset
* Strong work ethic with a refuse-to-fail mindset
* Demonstrated indicators of excellence and/or achieving success against adversity (i.e. top academic performance, leadership in engineering clubs, first-generation college student, or other examples of resilience and achievement)

**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

* 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 $95,000-$110,000, *dependent on the candidate's academic level (Bachelors, Masters, or PhD) and demonstrated out of classroom experience.*
* 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.