Additive Manufacturing Operations Lead IV

Agile Space Industries is a rapidly growing supplier of propulsion hardware and engineering services for the space industry. Headquartered in Durango Colorado with expanding operations in Mount Pleasant Pennsylvania and Tulsa Oklahoma Agile has achieved more than 40% year-over-year growth for the past three years and our momentum continues to accelerate.

At Agile we design build and test in-space propulsion systems that give spacecraft the ability to maneuver with precision reliability and purpose. Our technologies play a critical role in missions that range from lunar landings and resource utilization to national defense human exploration and commercial space transport.

This is an onsite role based in Durango Colorado. Durango offers a rare combination of meaningful aerospace work and exceptional quality of life with access to world-class skiing mountain biking hiking fishing rafting and a vibrant mountain-town community. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

Agile Space Industries is seeking an experienced and hands-on Additive Manufacturing (AM) Operations Manager onsite in Durango CO to lead our additive operations build scalable processes and partner closely with Engineering Production Materials and Quality to deliver high-performance printed components for space flight hardware and R&D programs.

The AM Operations Manager is responsible for operational execution technical leadership team development and continuous improvement across Agiles LPBF production ecosystem. This leader will oversee AM equipment people workflows documentation and quality standards supporting propulsion hardware across the full lifecycle: prototype test qualification and production.

The AM Operations Manager will also be core cross-function leader partnering closely with Engineering Production Materials and Quality to deliver high-performance printed components for space flight hardware and R&D programs.

This role requires strong technical depth a continuous-improvement mindset and the ability to lead in a fast-paced aerospace environment where precision reliability and schedule discipline are essential.

Responsibilities

Additive Manufacturing Operations

Own day-to-day operations of the LPBF production floor ensuring safe efficient and reliable execution.

Manage production schedules across prototype development qualification and production programs in coordination with other Agile departments.

Oversee machine setup build execution powder handling and post-processing workflows.

Ensure repeatable high-quality production of printed propulsion components.

Maintain spare parts consumables gas supply and other inventory critical to production.

Drive equipment uptime preventative maintenance and facility readiness to support throughput growth.

Establish track and continuously improve operational KPIs (yield throughput cycle time scrap machine utilization).

Technical Leadership

Partner with Design Engineering during DfAM reviews to align geometry support strategies and material selection with LPBF capabilities.

Facilitate AM process development including control of AM process parameters scan strategies thermal histories and build envelopes.

Lead root cause analysis for print failures and drive corrective actions

Maintain configuration control of build files machine settings and AM processes.

Oversee integration of downstream processes including heat treatment HIP machining and inspection.

Define and document AM processes in accordance with aerospace and internal quality standards

People Leadership

Mentor AM technicians operators and engineers with emphasis on safety technical rigor and continuous learning.

Establish onboarding pathways technical certification levels and recurring training cycles for AM roles.

Allocate resources effectively across shifts and programs adjusting team responsibilities based on skills priorities and workload.

Cultivate a culture of accountability ownership and disciplined execution.

Quality & Compliance

Partner with Quality Engineering to define critical-to-quality features inspection protocols sampling plans and acceptance criteria.

Ensure compliance with ITAR AS9100 and internal configuration-control and document-control requirements.

Maintain full material and process traceability (powder lots build files inspection records heat treat/HIP records and rework history).

Support internal and external audits customer reviews and supplier assessments.

Ensure build and post-processing travelers are fully executed documented and closed out accurately.

Strategic & Cross-Functional Support

Evaluate and select emerging AM technologies materials sensing systems and post-processing techniques.

Support make-buy decisions including technical evaluation of external

• 7 years of experience in manufacturing including 2 years of manufacturing management with preference for metal additive manufacturing and hands-on machine operation
• Demonstrated experience with aerospace or highly regulated production environments
• Strong knowledge of metal LPBF processes and materials commonly employed in metal AM technologies such as Inconel Titanium or Copper alloys
• Proven experience optimizing manufacturing flow leading root cause analysis and developing repeatable manufacturing processes
• Leadership experience managing technical teams in a prototyping or production setting
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings GD&T and specifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Materials Science Manufacturing Engineering or related discipline
• Experience producing flight hardware or propulsion components
• Background with EOS SLM Solutions VELO3D TRUMPF or similar LPBF platforms.
• Knowledge of heat treatment HIP machining and NDE for AM components
• Experience standing up new AM facilities bringing in new equipment or scaling production
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing documentation best practices.

Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Employment Type: Exempt

Salary: $120000 - $162000 Final compensation will be based on factors such as experience skills and internal equity and is typically made within the midrange rather than the upper end.

Work Schedule: Full Time

Travel Requirements: < 25%

Relocation Stipend

Location: Durango CO

#LI-Onsite

Posting Timeline: This position will remain open for a minimum of five (5) days and will continue to accept applications until the role is filled. Early applications are encouraged as reviews and interviews may begin during the posting period.

What Youll Love About Us: Agile Space Industries offers exceptional benefits to support you and your family including generous health coverage dental and vision plans Flexible Time Off parental leave and a 401(k) with 100% company match up to 4%. We are committed to creating a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin genetics disability age veteran status or any other basis protected by law.

Dont meet every single requirement At Agile we are committed to fostering a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace. If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt perfectly align with every qualification we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the perfect fit for this role or another opportunity with us.

Reasonable Accommodation: At Agile our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at Agile Space Industries. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process please submit a request to

Recruitment Notice: Agile Space Industries is not partnering with external recruiters or agencies at this time. Please do not contact our staff directly regarding open positions. All candidates must apply through our official application process to be considered