Director of Advanced Manufacturing
Divergent 3D
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 a sharp, results-driven Director of Advanced Manufacturing to elevate our operations to world-class standards. This role demands a focused, technical mind and proactive leadership, ensuring our precision machining, metrology, and robotic assembly teams execute at the highest levels. If you thrive on solving complex production challenges, optimizing workflows, and driving cutting-edge manufacturing advancements, this is your opportunity to lead at the forefront of aerospace, defense, and high-performance automotive manufacturing. The ideal candidate excels in fast-paced environments, brings a relentless drive for continuous improvement, and is eager to shape the future of structures manufacturing across land, air, and sea.
The Role
Strategic Leadership
- Provide technical expertise and sound judgment to drive a forward-thinking manufacturing vision.
- Develop scalable manufacturing strategies to optimize current production while positioning for long-term success.
- Champion cross-functional collaboration to accelerate advanced manufacturing and digital technology adoption.
- Lead initiatives to enhance agility, efficiency, and competitive advantage across sectors.
Operational Excellence
- Oversee precision machining, automated processing, assembly, and inspection to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and uphold world-class quality.
- Drive process innovation by integrating automation, digital workflows, and AI-driven optimization.
- Optimize vertical integration to enhance cost efficiency and reduce lead times.
Inspection & Metrology
- Lead inspection and metrology teams to maintain aerospace-grade precision.
- Manage structured light scanning, CMM, manual probing, and hand inspection to validate part conformance.
- Implement real-time quality assurance and foster a self-inspection culture to reduce defects and rework.
Team Leadership & Development
- Build and mentor a high-performance manufacturing team, fostering technical excellence and continuous learning.
- Develop future leaders through world-class training and qualification programs.
Performance & Compliance Monitoring
- Ensure strict adherence to MES, work instructions, and process controls for traceability and operational excellence.
- Use real-time operational data and KPIs to drive continuous improvement and proactive issue resolution.
- Generate concise reports on production trends, lead times, capacity, and quality metrics.
Safety & Quality Assurance
- Champion a safety-first culture, ensuring compliance with EHS policies and best practices.
- Develop safety programs tailored to high-tech manufacturing.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Innovation
- Work closely with R&D, engineering, automation, and quality teams to drive next-generation manufacturing innovations.
- Support prototype industrialization for manufacturability, repeatability, and scalability.
- Align manufacturing objectives with company strategies, collaborating with customers and supply chain partners.
Financial Management & Cost Optimization
- Manage the manufacturing division’s budget, optimizing resource allocation to meet operational and financial goals.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality, safety, or performance.
Basic Qualifications
- Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls
- Proven ability to lead and scale complex manufacturing operations in precision machining, automation, and metrology.
- Deep understanding of GD&T, aerospace quality standards, and high-precision structural manufacturing.
- Strong background in digital manufacturing, automation, Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement.
- Demonstrated success in building and mentoring high-performance teams while fostering a culture of technical excellence.
- Strategic thinker with a track record of driving innovation, operational efficiency, and cost optimization in a high-mix production environment.
- Expertise in cross-functional collaboration, effectively aligning manufacturing objectives with broader company strategies.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent practical expertise).
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in additive manufacturing.
- Familiarity with AI-driven manufacturing optimization and digital twin technology.
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.
EEO Poster
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.
E-Verify: Right to Work
Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.
Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish)
Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
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