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Senior Manager, Additive Manufacturing Operations

Torrance, California, United States

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.

Purpose

We are seeking an exceptional, results-driven Senior Manager of Additive Manufacturing Operations to lead and scale our Factory 1 production organization. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for driving world-class execution across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people development while shaping the future of manufacturing. 

The Additive Manufacturing organization leverages proprietary, state-of-the-art systems and processes to execute metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), depowdering, manual and automated support removal, surface finishing, heat treatment, and inspection across multiple factory sites supporting both prototype and high-rate production. 

This role is ideal for an ambitious operations leader who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments and combines strong manufacturing fundamentals with data-driven decision making, automation, and continuous improvement. Beyond delivering daily operational performance, this leader will develop people, build scalable operating systems, and partner with engineering to industrialize new technologies that will define the next generation of manufacturing. 

The ideal candidate is energized by difficult manufacturing challenges, inspires high-performing teams, and is passionate about building organizations capable of delivering exceptional results. 

The Role

Operational Leadership 

  • Lead Factory 1 additive manufacturing operations to achieve world-class performance in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and equipment reliability.  
  • Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing team while fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, urgency, and continuous improvement.  
  • Drive disciplined daily management through standard work, visual management, structured problem solving, and operational rigor.  
  • Optimize manufacturing flow by increasing equipment uptime, eliminating bottlenecks, improving process repeatability, and maximizing production throughput.  
  • Partner closely with Platform Development, Manufacturing Engineering, and Automation teams to successfully launch new equipment, technologies, and manufacturing capabilities.  

Operational Excellence 

  • Champion Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement across all additive manufacturing processes.  
  • Establish scalable operating systems that improve efficiency, stability, and manufacturing readiness as production grows.  
  • Utilize manufacturing data, KPIs, and analytics to drive operational decisions and prioritize improvement initiatives.  
  • Develop meaningful performance dashboards and operating rhythms that enable rapid identification and resolution of production issues.  
  • Lead initiatives to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), first-pass yield, cycle time, labor productivity, and cost per part.  

Equipment Reliability & Technical Capability 

  • Continue developing the in-house Additive Manufacturing Service organization by strengthening technical capability, preventive maintenance programs, troubleshooting processes, and technician training.  
  • Drive reliability initiatives that maximize printer availability, reduce unplanned downtime, and improve long-term equipment performance.  
  • Partner with technical teams to identify recurring equipment issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.  

Performance Monitoring & Compliance 

  • Ensure strict adherence to Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), work instructions, process controls, and quality standards.  
  • Monitor key operational metrics and hold teams accountable for achieving business objectives.  
  • Drive disciplined root cause analysis and corrective actions to eliminate recurring manufacturing issues.  
  • Develop clear, actionable operational reporting that enables data-driven decision making across the organization.  

Safety, Quality & Financial Management 

  • Foster a safety-first culture aligned with Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) standards and best practices.  
  • Partner with EHS to proactively develop and implement safety initiatives that reduce operational risk.  
  • Ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet internal quality requirements and applicable industry standards.  
  • Develop, manage, and execute the Factory 1 Additive Manufacturing operating budget while balancing productivity, cost, and long-term capability investments.

Basic Qualifications

  • Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls. 
  • Demonstrated success leading complex manufacturing operations in high-performance production environments.  
  • Proven ability to build, develop, and lead high-performing technical organizations.  
  • Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing, operational excellence, and continuous improvement methodologies.  
  • Experience using manufacturing data and operational metrics to drive strategic decision making and measurable business results.  
  • Proven ability to execute in startup or rapidly scaling manufacturing environments while effectively navigating ambiguity and change.  
  • Demonstrated success improving operational performance through equipment reliability, process optimization, and organizational development.  
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Weld Engineering, or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical experience).  

Preferred Qualifications

  • Leadership experience in metal additive manufacturing or other advanced manufacturing environments.  
  • Experience with Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) production systems.  
  • Experience with aerospace manufacturing standards, including AS9100 and NADCAP.  
  • Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, or similar operational excellence methodologies.  
  • Experience leading automation, Industry 4.0, MES, or digital manufacturing initiatives.  
  • Demonstrated success scaling manufacturing organizations through periods of rapid growth.  

 

Pay Range

$156,640 - $215,380 USD

What We Offer:

  • Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
  • Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
  • Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
  • Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
  • Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint. 


Equal Employment Opportunity
Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected. 
 
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