Design Engineer (Aerospace and Defense Hardware)
at Freeform
- Seniority
- Senior
- Work model
- Onsite
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA (On-site)
- Posted
- 17d ago
at Freeform
<h2 id="Senior-Mechanical-Engineer" data-renderer-start-pos="9649"><strong data-renderer-mark="true"><span class="TextRun SCXW130542368 BCX0" lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130542368 BCX0">DESIGN ENGINEER (AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE HARDWARE)</span></span></strong></h2> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Freeform builds AI-native manufacturing systems that unify software, hardware, and physics to produce industrial-scale parts at the speed of human ideation. By treating manufacturing as a single integrated system, we unlock a new era of innovation where complex hardware is designed, built, and scaled without limits.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">Freeform is hiring a Design Engineer focused on aerospace & defense hardware to sit at the intersection of advanced part design and additive manufacturing. This is a deeply technical engineering role responsible for rethinking how aerospace and defense hardware is conceived, designed, and produced - not just adapting existing parts for a new process, but fundamentally reimagining what's possible when legacy design constraints no longer apply. You will work hands-on with some of the most complex hardware in the industry, identifying where Freeform's platform unlocks performance regimes, architectures, and geometries that were previously impractical or impossible.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><span data-contrast="auto">The ideal candidate is a strong mechanical or aerospace engineer with a deep intuition for part design and a genuine passion for pushing the boundaries of what hardware can do. They understand aerospace and defense systems at a component and systems level, can independently reason about manufacturability, materials, and performance tradeoffs, and are excited by the creative challenge of designing parts from first principles. The core draw of this role is the engineering itself - though this person will also engage directly with some of the most sophisticated frontier companies in the aerospace and defense industries.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sXfG6ssZ190?feature=shared" width="560" height="315"></iframe></p> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Responsibilities:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Drive part design and redesign across a broad range of aerospace and defense applications, including:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Propulsion systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Heat exchangers and thermal management hardware</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Valves and fluid systems</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Turbomachinery components</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Combustion devices</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Lightweight structural components and assemblies</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop a deep understanding of component-level requirements, performance drivers, and system constraints within aerospace and defense programs</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Rethink part design from first principles - identifying where additive manufacturing enables new geometries, consolidated assemblies, improved performance, or reduced cost and lead time</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Develop and evaluate design concepts with a strong command of materials, tolerances, thermal and structural behavior, and production considerations</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Independently answer advanced technical questions related to design tradeoffs, process capabilities, qualification pathways, and production scalability</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Work closely with internal engineering and operations teams to drive feasibility, refine concepts, and align on execution</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Engage directly with customer engineering teams to understand application requirements, present design solutions, and build technical credibility </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Identify and pursue new application spaces where Freeform's technology can deliver step-change improvements over conventional manufacturing</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Provide field-informed feedback to shape Freeform's product, process, and technology roadmap</span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Basic Qualifications:</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":240,"335559739":240}"> </span></p> <ul> <li><span data-contrast="auto">Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li> <li><span data-contrast="auto">3+ years of experience in a hands-on engineering role within aerospace, defense, or a closely re