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Principal, Additive Manufacturing Engineer

Huntsville, Alabama
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

L3Harris is seeking a Principal Engineer in Metal Additive Manufacturing to serve as the sector subject matter expert for laser powder bed (LPBF) and directed energy deposition (DED) technologies. This individual will drive Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), guide mission-critical part selection and qualification, and provide technical leadership to engineering and supply chain teams to ensure robust, production-ready AM solutions. The role is an individual contributor, with responsibility for shaping the AM strategy, leading AM-focused IRAD, and laying the foundation to grow AM capability over time.

Essential Functions:

  • Act as the subject matter expert for metal additive manufacturing, with emphasis on laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition for defense applications.
  • Provide DfAM guidance and technical review of designs, advising program design teams on part selection, geometry, and material choices to maximize performance, reliability, and producibility.
  • Lead the development, maintenance, and deployment of internal AM standards, process specifications, and design guidelines for metal AM components.
  • Partner with Supply Chain as the technical authority in the evaluation, selection, and development of external AM vendors, including definition and review of key process controls and compliance to specifications.
  • Drive qualification and certification strategies for mission-critical AM parts, including test approaches, acceptance criteria, and coordination with quality, materials, and reliability engineering.
  • Create and deliver regular (e.g., monthly) training and technical presentations on AM technologies, DfAM principles, process capability, and qualification practices to engineering and cross-functional teams.
  • Own the AM technology strategy for the site, including identification and prioritization of new internal R&D (IRAD) initiatives and evaluation of emerging AM tools, processes, and materials.
  • Serve as program manager for AM-focused IRAD projects and any AM-specific programs, including planning, execution, risk management, and communication of technical and programmatic status.
  • Provide technical consultation and oversight for all programs utilizing metal AM, ensuring consistent application of best practices across the product lifecycle from concept through production.
  • Collaborate closely with engineering, operations, quality, and business development to identify opportunities where AM can reduce lead time, cost, and weight and enable new capabilities for L3Harris defense systems.
  • Ability to obtain a US Secret Security Clearance.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 12 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 10 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 16 years of prior manufacturing engineering experience.
  • 10+ years in metal additive manufacturing operations or engineering.

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • BS in Engineering or MS in Material Science is preferred.
  • Active US Secret Security Clearance is preferred.
  • Facilitation and/or teaching experience.
  • Highly collaborative with the ability to influence without direct reporting relationships.

#LI-HW1

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

About L3 Harris

L3 Harris

L3 Harris is one of the largest defense and aerospace companies in the United States, delivering advanced technologies that support missions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company develops communications systems, space payloads, intelligence platforms, electronic warfare capabilities, missile defense technologies, and mission-critical sensors used by the U.S. military, intelligence community, and allied nations around the world.

For job seekers, L3Harris offers opportunities across engineering, software development, cybersecurity, space systems, manufacturing, intelligence, program management, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on advanced technologies that directly support national security. With programs spanning tactical communications, ISR platforms, satellite systems, and defense electronics, employees have the opportunity to contribute to some of the military’s most important capabilities.

Unlike companies focused on a single mission area, L3Harris operates across a diverse portfolio of defense technologies, providing employees exposure to a broad range of programs and technical disciplines. Teams work on everything from secure communications and autonomous systems to space-based sensors and electronic warfare platforms, creating opportunities for both specialization and long-term career growth within the organization.

As governments continue investing in modernization, space capabilities, resilient communications, and advanced sensing technologies, L3Harris remains one of the most important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking a mission-driven career with strong growth opportunities, technical challenges, and direct impact on global security, L3Harris continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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