About CCAT: Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) is a manufacturing technology innovation and readiness center focused on helping manufacturers adopt advanced technologies and strengthen their operations. We work with companies across manufacturing and industrial supply chains to evaluate, implement, and integrate digital, 3D printing, and other critical technologies. By leveraging engineering expertise in model-based definition, digital thread, and additive manufacturing, along with technical evaluations, technology demonstrations, and hands-on training, CCAT enables companies to accelerate technology adoption and upskill employees to improve productivity and profitability.
CCAT is a nonprofit, non-traditional defense contractor and government fiduciary dedicated to advancing applied technologies and strengthening the U.S. industrial base. CCAT partners with federal and state agencies—including the DOW, DOE, NASA, SBA, and USDOC—through government-funded and commercial programs that support both defense and commercial manufacturing.
Position Title: Manufacturing Development Engineer – Metal Additive
Why This Role Matters: The Manufacturing Development Engineer – Metal Additive leads process development efforts involving advanced welding, additive manufacturing, and robotic manufacturing technologies. The position focuses on the development, optimization, qualification, and deployment of manufacturing processes for customer-sponsored projects and internal technology initiatives.
The successful candidate will combine engineering fundamentals with practical manufacturing knowledge to develop robust processes involving laser welding, directed energy deposition, wire arc additive manufacturing, industrial robotics, and related advanced manufacturing technologies.
How You’ll Make an Impact:
- Lead technical development projects involving welding, additive manufacturing, and robotic manufacturing systems.
- Develop and optimize manufacturing processes for customer applications.
- Design and execute experiments to characterize process performance and material properties.
- Develop process windows, qualification plans, and operating procedures.
- Develop quality system elements and specifications such as AS9100, SAE-AMS specifications, or NADCAP-aligned process control documents.
- Analyze product manufacturing information from CAD and identify process-performance relationships.
- Support the operation and development of wire-fed and powder-fed DED systems.
- Develop manufacturing strategies for laser welding and DED applications.
- Develop manufacturing strategies for cold spray applications.
- Collaborate with technicians, researchers, customers, and equipment suppliers.
- Prepare technical reports, presentations, proposals, and customer deliverables.
- Support technology demonstrations, customer engagements, and workforce development activities.
- Contribute to equipment selection, commissioning, and integration efforts.
- Assist in business development activities and proposal preparation.
- Adhere to all CCAT safety policies, procedures, and laboratory protocols to maintain a safe and compliant work environment.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials engineering, welding engineering, metallurgical engineering, robotics engineering, or a related technical field. A graduate degree in a relevant engineering discipline is preferred.
What Helps You Succeed:
- 3+ years of relevant industrial, research, or graduate-level experience.
- Fundamental understanding of welding processes, metallurgy, and manufacturing systems.
- Experience developing or supporting manufacturing processes in industrial or research environments.
- Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and technical documentation.
- Experience with the qualification of equipment and processes using frameworks such as AS9100, SAE AMS, ISO13485
- Strong communication and project execution skills.
- Must be a U.S. person as defined by U.S. export control regulations and able to comply with all applicable export control requirements
Nice to Haves:
Experience with:
Laser welding process development.
- Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technologies.
- Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).
- Cold spray technologies.
- Industrial robotics and robotic integration.
- Process qualification and validation.
- Familiarity with powder bed fusion processes is a plus, given the planned future capability.
- Finite element modeling, thermal modeling, or process simulation.
- Metallurgy, microstructural characterization, and mechanical testing.
- Machine vision, sensors, and process monitoring systems.
- Manufacturing automation and controls.
- Strong experimental mindset and curiosity.
- Comfortable working with partially defined technical challenges.
- Ability to transition between hands-on equipment work and engineering analysis.
- Effective communicator with customers, suppliers, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced applied R&D environment.
Representative Tools and Technologies
- Additive Manufacturing: Laser DED systems, Wire-fed DED systems, WAAM systems, Process monitoring systems, Additive manufacturing simulation software
- Robotics and Automation: FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa/Motoman, Universal Robots, PLC and industrial automation systems
- Engineering and Analysis Software: SolidWorks, Creo, Siemens NX, Autodesk Fusion, ANSYS, MATLAB, Python
- Materials Characterization: Optical microscopy, SEM, Hardness testing, Tensile testing, Nondestructive evaluation techniques
What the Work Environment Looks Like: This is an on-site role with occasional early mornings and late evenings as needed. The person in this position needs to move frequently within the office and laboratory to access and operate office, lab, and shop equipment. Continually operates computers and computer-based machinery and equipment, requiring the ability to view and read computer screens and printed material. The person in this position frequently communicates with individuals; they must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Frequently operates or is near manufacturing equipment and must be able to work in a shop and laboratory environment safely. Occasionally moves equipment/materials of various weights for business needs. Works in a lab/manufacturing environment and must maintain proper safety protocols. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
What We offer:
- Competitive compensation based on experience and qualifications
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Long and short-term disability benefits
- Retirement savings plan with employer contributions
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Professional development, training, and learning opportunities
- Tuition reimbursement
- Opportunities to work on meaningful projects that impact the future of manufacturing and technology
CCAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer, M/F/D/V. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Pay: $100,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you a U.S. person as defined by U.S. export control regulations and able to comply with all applicable export control requirements?
Work Location: In person
