Technology Transition Engineer (011-26) in Columbus, Ohio at National Center for Defense Manufacturing & Machining

Technology Transition Engineer

Location: Columbus, OH

Position Summary:

The Technology Transition Engineer supports the advancement of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies from research and development into qualified, deployable industrial and defense applications. This role works across government, industry, academia, and the defense industrial base to help identify high-impact technologies, evaluate transition readiness, support qualification and industrialization efforts, and accelerate adoption into operational use.

This position is highly cross-functional and requires a strong technical foundation in additive manufacturing, manufacturing processes, qualification, and systems-level thinking. The ideal candidate can operate between technical teams, leadership, program managers, and end users while helping translate innovation into measurable impact.

The role directly supports America Makes’ growing focus on Technology Transition as a core institute function.

Why this Role Matters:

America Makes has supported hundreds of additive manufacturing projects over the past decade. The Technology Transition Engineer will help ensure those investments lead to deployed capabilities and measurable operational impact across the defense industrial base.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the transition of AM technologies from R&D into production, sustainment, and operational environments

• Identify high-potential technologies, projects, and datasets suitable for transition

• Support transition strategy development and implementation at America Makes

• Coordinate with government stakeholders, OEMs, suppliers, and project teams

• Support transition metrics, impact tracking, and reporting across institute activities

• Manage higher maturity projects and programs focused on sustainment challenges, industrialization, and low-rate initial production (LRIP) efforts.

Technical & Manufacturing Support:

• Provide technical insight related to AM processes, materials, qualification, inspection, and industrialization

• Support evaluation of manufacturing readiness, process maturity, qualification status, and scalability

• Help assess technical risks, barriers to adoption, and integration challenges

• Participate in technical reviews, workshops, working groups, and roadmap activities

Data, Digital, & Knowledge Management:

• Support efforts to organize, capture, and communicate technical data generated through institute programs

• Help structure transition-relevant technical outputs including datasets, lessons learned, qualification evidence, and implementation guidance for long-term use

• Assist with development of repeatable transition frameworks and best practices

Desired Characteristics:

• Self-starter who can operate independently in fast-moving environments

• Strong systems thinker able to connect technical work to operational outcomes

• Comfortable engaging from the shop floor to executive leadership

• Passion for strengthening domestic manufacturing and the U.S. defense industrial base

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field

• 3+ years of experience in additive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or related industries

• Experience managing technical projects or engineering programs

• Working knowledge of AM technologies and manufacturing processes

• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder coordination skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with AM qualification, certification, or sustainment applications

• Familiarity with DoD manufacturing programs, MRLs, TRLs, and transition

• Experience supporting production scale-up, industrialization, or LRIP efforts

• Experience with manufacturing data systems and technical data management

• Experience working with government, primes, and defense suppliers

About NCDMM

NCDMM delivers innovative and collaborative manufacturing solutions that enhance our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness. NCDMM has extensive knowledge and depth in commercial and defense manufacturing areas to continually innovate, improve, and advance manufacturing technologies and methodologies. Our experienced team specializes in identifying the needs, players, technologies, and processes to attain optimal solutions for our customers. We connect the dots. That’s the NCDMM methodology. With seven locations nationwide, NCDMM manages America Makes, The Youngstown Innovation Hub, and El Paso Makes and is a subsidiary of the Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group, Inc. (MTDG). Learn more at ncdmm.org.

NCDMM is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

NCDMM, as a government contractor, is required to verify all employees through the E-Verify system to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.