Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer (WAAM)

About the Role

Join our Production Operations Engineering Team as a Manufacturing Engineer!

The Manufacturing Engineer (WAAM Bias) designs, implements, and optimizes large-scale Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing processes for aerospace components. This role focuses on the development of processes for complex, near-net-shape metallic structures from design to production, ensuring strict compliance with aviation quality and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Process Development: Establish, validate, and optimize WAAM deposition parameters (current, voltage, travel speed, shielding gas flow) for aerospace alloys like Titanium, Inconel, and Aluminium.
• Path Planning & Simulation: Utilize specialized additive software to generate, simulate, and optimize multi-axis robot/CNC deposition paths to prevent collisions and minimize thermal distortion.
• Thermal Management: Design and execute thermal control strategies, including inter-pass temperature monitoring and in process cooling, to manage residual stress and microstructural integrity.
• NPI Support: Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) by transforming aerospace CAD models into WAAM-optimized, near-net-shape geometries ready for post-process machining.
• Equipment Integration: Program, configure, and maintain integrated WAAM cells, including robotic manipulators (ABB), power sources (Fronius) and environmental enclosures.
• Quality & Qualification: Ensure all manufacturing processes conform to aerospace standards such as AS9100 and emerging additive manufacturing regulations (e.g., ASTM F42, SAE AMS7039).

Key Skills & Competencies

• Additive Software: High proficiency in WAAM-specific slicing and path-generation software.
• Robotics & Automation: Competence in programming multi-axis industrial robots and integrating sensor feedback loops for real-time process monitoring.
• Aerospace Metallurgy: Deep understanding of solidification mechanics, phase transformations, and defect generation (porosity, cracking) in wire-fed arc deposition.
• Subtractive Integration: Strong knowledge of how WAAM near-net shapes interface with subsequent precision CNC machining operations.
• Root Cause Analysis: Mastery of problem-solving frameworks (8D, FMEA, 5 Whys) to troubleshoot deposition anomalies and microstructural defects.

Required skills, qualifications and experience

• Good working knowledge of CNC Machining, turning and Milling up to 5 axis with Cam software experience or working knowledge of WAAM / Additive Manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and quality improvement tools.
• Experience with CAD software for generating 2D technical drawings.
• Solid understanding of MRP systems and experience managing BOMs and routings in SAP (or similar ERP systems).
• Hyper Mill Cam experience would be a advantage.
• Proven ability to drive cultural and process change, improving efficiency and quality.
• A collaborative mindset with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Education: Degree or Master's in Manufacturing, Materials Science, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering (a PhD or research focus heavily centered on WAAM/DED is highly desirable).
• Experience: Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in Directed Energy Deposition (DED), specifically Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing, within a high-integrity engineering environment.
• Industry Background: Prior experience in aerospace, space-launch systems, or defence manufacturing is required.

Business Environment

Lockheed Martin (UK) Ampthill is a rapidly changing, dynamic part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation with both domestic and international customers. It consists of business areas focusing on Platform Integration, Ground Based Air Defence, Special Projects and Weapons, which provide a variety of products and services to the Ministry of Defence and other customers. We are looking for talented individuals to join the company, in return we offer an exciting and challenging career path and excellent work/life balance with a 4 day week (Mon-Thurs) and flexible working arrangements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Lockheed Martin is committed to upholding principles of equal opportunity, fostering a work environment that is aligned with our core values of integrity, respect, and exceptional performance. We recognize the importance of leveraging the unique talents and experiences of all our employees to drive innovation, deliver superior solutions, and maximize value for our customers. Our focus is on identifying the most qualified candidate for each role, regardless of their background. If you are interested in a position, we invite you to share how your skills and perspectives could bolster our team and encourage you to apply, even if you feel your qualifications do not fully meet all the job criteria outlined in our advertisement. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin is dedicated to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive for all individuals. We are prepared to accommodate reasonable adjustments for applicants as needed. If you require assistance or adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact .

Disclaimer:

This vacancy is being advertised by Optamor Limited. Optamor is a specialist Recruitment Process Outsourcing provider. We provide a flexible full recruitment solution which takes care of all recruitment requirements from planning to on-boarding. Our specialist recruitment divisions cover the entire technical arena, including some of the most economically and strategically important industries in the UK and the world today. We will never send your CV without your permission.