Manufacturing Engineering Intern — Scale Production

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 Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Freeform, you’ll be at the forefront of scaling production for high-performance metal 3D printed parts. You’ll work with a talented engineering team from some of the world’s most innovative companies across a range of projects to develop and refine the processes, tooling, and CNC machining workflows that enable precision manufacturing at speed and scale. This role is hands-on and fast-paced, ideal for someone eager to learn and contribute to the development of our autonomous metal 3D printing factories.

You’ll focus on optimizing post-processing and machining operations, helping to bridge the gap between R&D and production.

3D printing experience is not required tobe successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative individuals who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology!

• Support the design and implementation of scalable manufacturing processes for new hardware and printed parts
• Assist with fixturing, test procedures, and post-processing steps to improve part flow through the factory
• Help develop documentation and process standards to support production scaling
• Build and iterate on tooling, jigs, and test setups for reliable, high-throughput production
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in part, material, and data flow- and work with cross-functional teams to improve them
• Support early production efforts and help transition R&D into high-rate manufa cturing
• Contribute to CNC machining workflows, including programming, setup, and optimization of multi-axis operations for post-processing of printed parts

Basic Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering from an ABET accredited university or college
• Hands on manufacturing or build experience from internships or engineering clubs such as FSAE, Baja SAE, solar car, rocket club, robotics club, or similar
• Experience working with hand tools, machinery, or complex hardware assembly

Nice to Have:

• Advanced degree (Master's, PhD) in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering
• Experience with CNC machining, including 3 or 5-axis programming and/or setup
• Experience with metal additive manufacturing or precision post-processing
• Exposure to fixturing, DFM, or process validation
• Experience scaling early-stage R&D into production
• Familiarity with MRP/ERP tools and lightweight production tracking systems
• Familiarity with manufacturing process development in a fast-paced hardware environment
• Ability to translate high-level engineering goals into practical factory processes
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and iterating quickly (comfortable building the plane as we fly it)
• Strong communicator who collaborates across disciplines and proactively seeks support when needed
• Willing to take ownership of tasks big and small, with a hands-on, problem-solving mindset
• Strong work ethic with a refuse-to-fail mindset
• 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)

Location:

• We are located in Hawthorne, CA in a 35,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility featuring large open spaces for team collaboration, R&D, and production, as…