Technical Director

The Forging Industry Association (FIA) is a leading trade association representing forging producers and suppliers across North America. FIA is seeking a full time Technical Director to join our team. FIA’s mission is to enhance the global competitiveness of its members through advocacy, industry benchmarking, networking, technological innovation, and world-class education. Visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). for more information.

The Technical Director will work with the Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF).

FIERF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the forging industry through technological development, education, and workforce initiatives. As a supporting organization of the Forging Industry Association (FIA), FIERF fosters industry growth by promoting education, offering scholarships, sharing career opportunities, and encouraging participation in forging-related research. Learn more rf.org.

This role offers both a fully remote environment or an in-person environment, based in Independence, Ohio.

The Technical Director will work directly with the President & CEO and will be responsible for influencing technical direction for forging R & D; leading the development and management of one or more certification programs; monitoring technical projects funded by FIERF, managing government contracts; serving as the staff liaison for FIA’s Technical Committee; teaching core fundamental forging courses and procuring online courses for Forging University, and creating/editing/contracting FIA technical publications.

Technical Project Oversight:

• Serves as lead for creating and managing one or more certificate programs.
• Oversees Forging Foundation technical projects and government projects.
• Tracks progress of research projects and checks reports for accuracy.
• Liaison with university, community colleges, and DOD project leads.
• Travels to partner schools and members for project kick-offs, status and verification of work performed.

Educational Courses:

• Instructs live forging fundamentals trainings and other classes and webinars for members.
• Reviews and edits FIA course presentation content for live workshops and training.
• Project lead for cohort that will develop certification program for forging professionals.
• Forging University (Online) Education Lead.
• Finds talent to develop both in person and online forging courses.
• Creates and delivers pre-recorded Forging University and other courses.
• Procures existing forging courses onto Forging University platform.

ICON Project Management:

• Continues to populate the Integrated Casting Order Network (ICON) with members’ forging capabilities and capacities.
• Contact members for military legacy tooling in inventory and populate ICON database with same.
• Interface with ICON project management team at Non-Ferrous Founding Society (NFFS).
• Responsible for recruiting members and schools for committees and projects.
• Liaison for FIA Technical Committee.
• Develops bi-annual TechCON Forging Conference with Tech Committee.
• Co-Liaison for FIA Plant Engineering & Safety Committees.
• Serves as Technical Director resource for all committee requests and needs (e.g., safety, plant engineering, public policy).

Government & Military Contracts:

• Attends military shows and conferences.
• Liaison for Army Research Lab (ARL) – Metal Forging Improvement Program annual appropriation.
• Assists President & CEO with preparation for congressional hearings.

FIA Technical Publications:

• Contributes articles to FIA Magazine and technical publications.
• Proofs technical reports submitted by universities for FIA publications.

Bachelor’s or higher degrees in metallurgy, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, or other engineering or manufacturing degrees with at least 10 years of relevant experience within forging industry preferred.

Experience with technical roles (engineering, sales, marketing), academic/teaching experience; government funded research/contracts experiences, and experience with nonprofit organizations is also considered desirable experience.

Creation and/or management of certification programs preferred.