Recruiter Summary of Position

• Job Title: Government Relations Program Manager (Additive Manufacturing)
• Primary Location: Austin, Texas (Other cities/states with additive manufacturing university programs are acceptable)
• Secondary Locations: Cambridge (Massachusetts), Rolla (Missouri), Columbus (Ohio), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), University Park / State College (Pennsylvania), Salt Lake City (Utah), Blacksburg (Virginia)
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid work schedule
• Compensation: $110,000 base salary + $10,000 bonus + benefits
• Travel: Approximately 30% travel if near Austin, Texas. Alternative work site locations entail 50% - 70% travel.

Required Technical Skills:

• Ph.D. (strongly preferred) or Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Manufacturing Engineering, Additive Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• 1-3 years of hands-on research or industry experience in Metal Additive Manufacturing, specifically Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) or Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS).
• Experience authoring or contributing to federal R&D proposals, white papers, or grant applications. Relevant organizations include Department of War (DOW), Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DoE), National Science Foundation (NSF), or America Makes.

Preferred Technical Skills:

• Technology readiness level (TRL / MRL) maturation and transition
• Public-private research consortia and university-industry collaboration
• Familiarity with aerospace/defense material specifications and qualifications

Employer Value Proposition:

• Translate advanced metallurgical and metal 3D printing breakthroughs into multi-million-dollar national innovation programs. You will bridge advanced laboratory research with major federal initiatives in defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing, backed by mentorship from recognized pioneers in the additive manufacturing industry.
• As a Government Relations Program Manager (Additive Manufacturing), you will serve as the technical bridge connecting advanced metal 3D printing capabilities with high-priority national manufacturing programs. Collaborating with executive leadership, research scientists, and public-sector stakeholders, you will translate complex laser powder bed fusion concepts into competitive federal proposals, strategic consortia, and technology transition initiatives.
• Heavily subsidized benefits package with robust employer contributions to health insurance premiums and health savings account (HSA) contributions

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Shape National Innovation: Direct involvement in securing and steering multi-million-dollar manufacturing programs across DoD, DoE, and America Makes initiatives.
• Executive Mentorship: Work directly alongside global additive manufacturing leaders, accelerating your development from technical specialist into a high-visibility program strategist.
• Strategic Technology Translation: Elevate benchtop engineering into commercial and defense readiness through public-private research partnerships.

What You Will Do to Succeed

• Lead Proposal Development: Author and coordinate technical volumes, statements of work (SOW), and concept white papers for federal solicitations.
• Translate Technical Capabilities: Convert complex metallurgical data and LPBF process parameters into clear value narratives for government program managers and industry partners.
• Expand R&D Coalitions: Coordinate multi-institutional initiatives across universities, national laboratories, and manufacturing institutes.
• Quarterback Milestones: Track pursuit pipelines, review internal handoffs, and ensure awarded program milestones meet all technical requirements.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (strongly preferred) or Master’s in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Additive Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering.
• 1–3 years of advanced manufacturing research, post-doctoral work, or university-industry collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience with metal laser powder bed fusion (LPBF / DMLS) and material characterization.
• Background drafting or contributing to federal research solicitations (DoD, DoE, NIST, NSF, America Makes).

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