Materials Engineer (New Grad December 2026) at Freeform

Los Angeles, CA (On-site)Full-timeEarly CareerPosted about 1 month ago

About the Role

<h2 id="Senior-Mechanical-Engineer" data-renderer-start-pos="9649">MATERIALS ENGINEER (NEW GRAD DECEMBER 2026)</h2> 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. As a Materials Engineer at Freeform, you will support the company's M&P infrastructure, strategy, and best practices for our advanced metal 3D printing technology. You will work alongside senior engineers to conduct hands on sample testing, analyze findings, and contribute to strategic process improvements. This is a unique opportunity to build a fundamental understanding of metals characterization and processing while working at the cutting edge of additive manufacturing. 3D printing experience is not required to be successful here, rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology! <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sXfG6ssZ190?feature=shared" width="560" height="315"></iframe> Responsibilities: <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1"> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Support the development of Freeform's M&P best practices and materials testing infrastructure</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Operate equipment to measure material properties such as tensile strength, surface roughness, and microstructure</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Generate and track quality metrics of printed customer parts such as dimensional accuracy, defect distribution, and surface roughness</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Organize, analyze, and interpret data and present key findings</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Work with the process development team to tie key materials findings into improvement of upstream printing processes, including training our advanced machine learning models</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Assist in optimizing processes and procedures for measuring and quantifying material quality</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Support automation efforts for M&P procedures to take human out of the loop</li> </ul> Basic Qualifications: <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1"> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited university or college</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Hands on lab or coursework experience with metals characterization, processing, or sample preparation techniques such as cutting, grinding, polishing, acid etching, and optical microscopy</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Well versed in materials engineering fundamentals and comfortable taking a first principles approach to solving problems</li> </ul> Nice to Have: <ul class="[li_&]:mb-0 [li_&]:mt-1 [li_&]:gap-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [&:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3 print:block print:space-y-1"> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Advanced degree (Master's, PhD) in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, or Mechanical Engineering</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience with metal additive manufacturing highly preferred</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience with laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processes</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Experience operating complex materials equipment (SEM, Instron, etc.)</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Familiarity with processing large datasets and statistical data analysis software such as R, JMP, or Minitab</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Passion for improving the state of metal 3D printing</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Comfortable working in fast paced, ambiguous environments and iterating quickly (comfortable building the plane as we fly it)</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Strong communicator who collaborates across disciplines and proactively seeks support when needed</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Willing to take ownership of tasks big and small, with a hands on, problem solving mindset</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Strong work ethic with a refuse to fail mindset</li> <li class="font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2">Demonstrated indicators of excellence and/or achieving success against adversity (i.e. top academic performance, leadership in engineering clubs, first generation college student, or other examples of resilience and achievement)</li> </ul> Location: <ul> <li>Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country.</li> <li>Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions.</li> </ul> What We Offer: <ul> <li>We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions.</li> <li>We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology.</li> <li>Benefits <ul> <li>Significant stock option packages</li> <li>100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options)</li> <li>Life insurance</li> <li>Traditional and Roth 401(k)</li> <li>Relocation assistance provided</li> <li>Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays</li> <li>Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent</li> <li>Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette</li> <li>Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events</li> </ul> </li> <li>Compensation   <ul> <li>Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role. </li> <li>In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $95,000-$120,000, dependent on the candidate's academic level (Bachelors, Masters, or PhD) and demonstrated out of classroom experience. </li> </ul> </li> <li>Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status. </li> </ul>

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