Principal Engineer, Nondestructive Evaluation -Additive Manufacturing

Principal Engineer, Nondestructive Evaluation - Additive Manufacturing - Beehive Industries
• Knoxville, TN, United States

Beehive Industries is dedicated to powering American Defense by revolutionizing the design, development, and delivery of jet propulsion systems to support the warfighter. Through the integration of additive manufacturing, the company aims to meet the growing and urgent needs for unmanned aerial defense by dramatically improving a jet engine's speed to market, fuel efficiency, and cost.

We are seeking an experienced and forward‑thinking Principal Engineer, Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) to lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of inspection and evaluation techniques for additively manufactured (AM) components. This role is critical in ensuring product integrity, safety, and performance through advanced nondestructive testing methods tailored to the unique challenges of AM. As a technical expert, you will work cross‑functionally to integrate NDE into the production lifecycle, guide root‑cause investigations, and develop inspection standards that meet the demanding requirements of aerospace and high‑performance applications.

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of additive manufacturing quality assurance at scale.

• Lead the development, implementation, and optimization of advanced NDE techniques for additive components, with a focus on:
  • Computed Tomography (CT)
  • Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) including Etch
  • Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
  • X‑ray and other advanced imaging methods
• Evaluate and validate NDE methods for detecting process‑specific anomalies in complex AM geometries and materials
• Develop standards and procedures for nondestructive inspection of AM parts, ensuring consistency, repeatability, and compliance with aerospace or defense industry regulations
• Collaborate with design, materials, and manufacturing teams to ensure NDE methods are integrated into the product lifecycle from design through production
• Conduct and lead root‑cause analyses using nondestructive techniques to identify and resolve material or process‑related defects
• Stay current on emerging NDE technologies and lead efforts to implement novel techniques or automation into inspection workflows
• Support qualification and certification of AM parts through detailed inspection documentation, data analysis, and interpretation of results
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians in NDE methodologies, data interpretation, and best practices

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Materials Science, Nondestructive Testing, or a related field
• Minimum 12 years of engineering experience, including 5+ years specifically in nondestructive evaluation for additive or advanced manufacturing
• Deep technical expertise in CT scanning, FPI, and other NDE techniques, especially as applied to complex, near‑net‑shaped or rough surfaces common in AM
• Strong understanding of inspection standards, defect characterization, and quality systems (e.g., AS9100, ISO 17025)
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts across functions and resolve complex inspection and material quality issues
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government‑issued security clearance is required. U.S. Citizenship is required, as only U.S. Citizens are eligible for a security clearance

• Advanced degree (master's or Ph.D.) in NDE, Materials Science, or a related discipline
• Level II or III NDE certifications in CT, FPI, or UT (NAS 410 or equivalent)
• Experience with metal AM processes (e.g., DMLS, EBM, SLS)
• Familiarity with jet engine components or similarly high‑reliability parts in aerospace/defense
• Hands‑on experience with NDE tools and process analysis software for NDE imaging
• Knowledge of additive‑specific defect mechanisms and how to detect them using non‑invasive techniques
• Experience with in‑situ monitoring and data fusion for real‑time quality assessment

Please note that this role requires working in proximity to equipment that may interfere with medical devices such as pacemakers or insulin pumps. If you have concerns about this, please reach out to discuss…