Additive Manufacturing Operations Lead IV

Agile Space Industries is a rapidly growing supplier of propulsion hardware and engineering services for the space industry. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, with expanding operations in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Agile has achieved more than 40% year-over-year growth for the past three years, and our momentum continues to accelerate.

At Agile, we design, build, and test in-space propulsion systems that give spacecraft the ability to maneuver with precision, reliability, and purpose. Our technologies play a critical role in missions that range from lunar landings and resource utilization to national defense, human exploration, and commercial space transport.

This is an onsite role based in Durango, Colorado. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.

Agile Space Industries is seeking an experienced and hands‑on Additive Manufacturing (AM) Operations Manager to lead our additive operations, build scalable processes, and partner closely with Engineering, Production, Materials, and Quality to deliver high‑performance printed components for space flight hardware and R&D programs.

• Own day‑to‑day operations of the LPBF production floor, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable execution.
• Manage production schedules across prototype, development, qualification, and production programs in coordination with other Agile departments.
• Oversee machine setup, build execution, powder handling, and post‑processing workflows.
• Ensure repeatable, high‑quality production of printed propulsion components.
• Maintain spare parts, consumables, gas supply, and other inventory critical to production.
• Drive equipment uptime, preventative maintenance, and facility readiness to support throughput growth.
• Establish, track, and continuously improve operational KPIs (yield, throughput, cycle time, scrap, machine utilization).

• Partner with Design Engineering during DfAM reviews to align geometry, support strategies, and material selection with LPBF capabilities.
• Facilitate AM process development, including control of AM process parameters, scan strategies, thermal histories, and build envelopes.
• Lead root‑cause analysis for print failures and drive corrective actions.
• Maintain configuration control of build files, machine settings, and AM processes.
• Oversee integration of downstream processes including heat treatment, HIP, machining, and inspection.
• Define and document AM processes in accordance with aerospace and internal quality standards.

• Mentor AM technicians, operators, and engineers with emphasis on safety, technical rigor, and continuous learning.
• Establish onboarding pathways, technical certification levels, and recurring training cycles for AM roles.
• Allocate resources effectively across shifts and programs, adjusting team responsibilities based on skills, priorities, and workload.
• Cultivate a culture of accountability, ownership, and disciplined execution.

• Partner with Quality Engineering to define critical‑to‑quality features, inspection protocols, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria.
• Ensure compliance with ITAR, AS9100, and internal configuration‑control and document‑control requirements.
• Maintain full material and process traceability (powder lots, build files, inspection records, heat‑treat/HIP records, and rework history).
• Support internal and external audits, customer reviews, and supplier assessments.
• Ensure build and post‑processing travelers are fully executed, documented, and closed out accurately.

• Evaluate and select emerging AM technologies, materials, sensing systems, and post‑processing techniques.
• Support make‑buy decisions, including technical evaluation of external suppliers.

• 7+ years of experience in manufacturing, including 2+ years of manufacturing management, with preference for metal additive manufacturing and hands‑on machine operation.
• Demonstrated experience with aerospace or highly regulated production environments.
• Strong knowledge of metal LPBF processes and materials commonly employed in metal AM technologies such…