Director of Quality, Additive Manufacturing

Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts.

We’re accelerating our mission with the launch of Factory 3 in Mesa, Arizona, a 290,000-square-foot facility creating 350 new jobs. We are expanding rapidly to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to expand into naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts.

Hadrian is backed by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, our fast-growing team is united around reindustrializing American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a true AM quality expert. You will own the full qualification lifecycle, from Installation Qualification (IQ) through Operational Qualification (OQ) and Material Qualification (MQ), ensuring Hadrian's processes meet or exceed the requirements of AMS 7003, AMS 7032, NASA-STD-6030/6033, NAVSEA Technical Publications, and prime customer specifications. This role spans multiple AM modalities, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes, with specific emphasis on Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) qualification for U.S. Navy and submarine industrial base applications. You will be responsible for qualification across both PBF-LB and DED; however, deep hands-on expertise in one of these modalities is required, with working knowledge of the other sufficient to provide technical direction and grow into full ownership. You will work cross-functionally with Hadrian's Materials and Process (M&P) team, Applications team, and Systems team to achieve results. In this model, you own the requirement set, including qualification criteria, process control standards, KPV limits, and acceptance specifications, while the M&P, Applications, and Systems teams conduct the implementation. Your deep knowledge of AM process physics, laser and/or arc-based energy sources, feedstock metallurgy, and qualification methodology will be the foundation on which Hadrian builds a scalable, auditable, and production-ready AM operation.

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• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Materials, Industrial, or related); Master's degree is a plus.

• 8+ years of experience in additive manufacturing quality engineering, with direct, hands-on experience qualifying equipment and processes for aerospace, defense, or spaceflight applications.

• Deep expertise in at least one of the following AM modalities, with working knowledge of the other: (a) Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB), including machine qualification, laser diagnostics, and powder management; or (b) Directed Energy Deposition (DED), including WAAM process qualification, arc-based process controls, and wire feedstock management. This role will be responsible for qualification across both modalities.

• Demonstrated experience executing IQ, OQ, and MQ on AM machines, including build layout design, test plan development, and material property evaluation.

• Deep working knowledge of AMS 7003, AMS 7032, and AMS 7002, including process control documents, KPV identification and control, and powder management requirements.

• Experience qualifying AM equipment to AMS 7032, NASA-STD-6030, NAVSEA Technical Publications for PBF and/or DED, or to prime customer AM specifications with equivalent rigor.

• Hands-on experience with laser power measurement, beam caustic/profiling equipment, and interpretation of beam quality data (spot size, M2, thermal shift, location of focus, astigmatism).

• Hands-on experience with gas flow measurement methods and characterization of shielding gas performance across build platforms.

• Strong understanding of powder metallurgy, including powder quality requirements, particle size distribution, chemistry, morphology, lot control, reuse methodology, and contamination prevention per AMS 7002 and AMS 7031. Familiarity with wire feedstock quality requirements for DED/WAAM processes.

• Skilled in root cause analysis (8D, 5 Whys, Fishbone), CAPA, and nonconformance management.

• Deep understanding of AS9100, Nadcap for AM, GD&T, PPAP, APQP, FMEA, and SPC.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.

• Willing to travel up to 20%, primarily within the U.S., with occasional international travel.

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (required for ITAR compliance).
  

• Experience with WAAM qualification for U.S. Navy applications, including familiarity with NAVSEA qualification requirements, technical warrant holder approval processes, and the Navy's Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM COE) in Danville, VA.

• Familiarity with DED-specific standards including AWS D20.1, AMS 7004, AMS 7005, and ASTM F3187.

• Familiarity with the NIAR Operational Qualification Guidance Document and related NIAR/America Makes work on AM machine qualification methodology.

• Awareness of the JAQS-SQ (Joint Additive Qualification for Sustainment, Supplier Qualification) program and its implications for DoD AM supplier readiness.

• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), AS9100 Lead Auditor, or Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt).

• Familiarity with AM standards such as ASTM F42, ISO 52900, SAE AMS 7XXX Series, and Nadcap requirements for AM.

• Active involvement in standards committees (e.g., ASTM F42, SAE AMS, ISO TC 261).

• Experience with AM in-situ process monitoring (meltpool monitoring, optical tomography, recoat monitoring) and its application to quality assurance.

• Experience with CT scanning, metallurgical analysis, and advanced NDE methods for AM parts.

• Understanding of multi-laser systems, laser zone strategies, stitching qualification, and scan field calibration for multi-laser LPBF platforms.

• Proven leadership in team-building and quality system development in fast-paced or startup environments.

• Knowledge of other manufacturing processes (e.g., CNC, casting, welding, composites).

• Experience transitioning AM products from R&D to full-scale production.

• Proficiency with digital QMS, inspection software, and PLM platforms.
  

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.