Manufacturing Engineer (New Grad December 2026)

Job Description

Job Description

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (NEW GRAD DECEMBER 2026)

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.