Metallurgical Supervisor (Additive Manufacturing)

Location: Onsite at the Knoxville, Tennessee facility, United States. U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued security clearance are required.

Company

hirify.global develops and manufactures jet propulsion systems for unmanned aerial defense, using additive manufacturing to improve speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost.

What you will do

• Supervise daily laboratory operations, assignments, priorities, resources, schedules, and testing turnaround.
• Provide technical leadership for metallographic preparation, microscopy, material characterization, mechanical testing, and powder characterization.
• Lead and develop laboratory personnel through training, coaching, feedback, and standardized work practices.
• Review laboratory data, test reports, documentation, traceability, and compliance with procedures, standards, customer requirements, and quality processes.
• Coordinate equipment maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, qualification, and laboratory readiness.
• Support material qualification, process development, root cause and nonconformance investigations, corrective actions, safety compliance, and continuous improvement with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality.

Requirements

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline preferred.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in metallurgical testing, materials characterization, materials engineering, or a related laboratory environment, including technical expertise in metallography and material evaluation.
• At least 2–3 years of experience leading, supervising, or coordinating laboratory personnel, technical teams, or complex laboratory operations.
• Experience overseeing testing, reviewing technical data, ensuring procedural and quality compliance, managing priorities and equipment, and coordinating schedules for multiple stakeholders.
• Experience with metallographic sample preparation, optical microscopy, hardness testing, tensile testing, microstructural evaluation, and material defect identification.
• Understanding of metal additive manufacturing, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Metal Binder Jetting, and their effects on material properties, microstructure, and process performance.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues, evaluate anomalous results, interpret trends, assess test validity, and support structured investigations.
• Experience developing or improving laboratory procedures, work instructions, testing protocols, and documentation practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word, effective technical communication, sound technical judgment, and strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, leadership, and planning skills.
• U.S. citizenship is required because only U.S. citizens are eligible for the required security clearance.

Nice to have

• Experience in additive manufacturing, aerospace, defense, propulsion, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience with LPBF and MBJ process development, material qualification, and production readiness.
• Experience with SEM, EDS/EDX, microscopy, chemical analysis, metal powder characterization, heat-treatment evaluation, and advanced material characterization.
• Experience with laboratory quality systems, calibration, measurement traceability, method validation, ERP, QMS, LIMS, and technical data retention.
• Experience leading failure analysis, nonconformance investigations, corrective actions, new equipment or test method implementation, and laboratory capability qualification.
• Experience with ASTM, ISO, aerospace testing standards, technician training programs, competency assessments, work instructions, and laboratory performance metrics.

Culture & Benefits

• Medical, dental, life, and short- and long-term disability coverage from day one.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.
• Bonus eligibility and company equity for every role.
• Inclusive equal-opportunity work environment focused on technical integrity, safety, continuous improvement, and defense manufacturing.

Hiring process

• Submit an application with a resume.