Metal Additive Manufacturing Research Lead

Metal Additive Manufacturing Research Lead

ARQUIMEA Research Center

Madrid or Tenerife, Spain

Main Function and Scope

We are seeking a Metal Additive Manufacturing Research Lead to drive a strategic R&D line focused on metallic additive manufacturing for high-performance industrial and aerospace applications.

This role is intended for a postdoctoral researcher with strong hands-on experience in metal 3D printing, additive manufacturing process development, materials characterization, and experimental research. The successful candidate will lead the technical development of metal additive manufacturing capabilities applied to advanced metallic components, complex geometries, porous structures, lightweight parts, and functional hardware designed for demanding environments.

The position combines applied research, experimental development, technology maturation, and industrialization-oriented thinking. The objective is not only to explore new manufacturing routes but also to build a real technological capability that can be transferred into products, processes, and sustainable competitive advantages for ARQUIMEA.

Required Skills, Experience and Candidate Profile Responsibilities

• Lead the R&D line focused on metallic additive manufacturing for high-performance applications;
• Define and execute experimental plans for metal additive manufacturing processes;
• Develop and optimize process parameters for metallic 3D printing technologies;
• Investigate manufacturing routes for complex metallic components, porous structures, lightweight parts, and functional hardware;
• Work on materials selection, process-property relationships, and manufacturability;
• Coordinate design, manufacturing, post-processing, inspection, and testing activities;
• Define characterization plans, including microstructure, porosity, mechanical performance, thermal performance, cleanliness, and repeatability;
• Collaborate with internal engineering teams, materials specialists, external suppliers, and research centers;
• Identify and evaluate external partners, universities, research groups, and industrial suppliers;
• Contribute to the roadmap from coupons and demonstrators to qualified components;
• Prepare technical documentation, test reports, development plans, and decision-making materials;
• Support IP generation, patent analysis, and the protection of know-how;
• Contribute to public funding proposals, technical work packages, and R&D project definition;
• Maintain awareness of the state of the art in metal additive manufacturing for aerospace, defense, and high-performance industrial applications.

Requirements

• PhD in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Metallurgy, Industrial Engineering, or a related field;
• At least 3 years of postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in additive manufacturing, preferably in metallic additive manufacturing;
• Hands-on experience with metal additive manufacturing technologies such as LPBF, SLM, EBM, DED, Binder Jetting, or related processes;
• Strong background in experimental research, process development, and materials characterization;
• Experience with metallic materials, microstructure analysis, porosity, defects, heat treatments, and mechanical properties;
• Ability to define and execute experimental campaigns with clear technical objectives;
• Experience with characterization techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM, micro-CT, porosimetry, mechanical testing, thermal testing, or similar methods;
• Ability to work effectively with external suppliers, laboratories, and research centers;
• Strong technical documentation and reporting skills;
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and translate research results into engineering decisions;
• Professional proficiency in English.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability industrial sectors;
• Experience with porous metallic structures, capillary structures, lightweight metallic components, or functional metal parts;
• Knowledge of stainless steels, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, or other high-performance metallic materials;
• Experience in additive manufacturing of functional components rather than solely structural demonstrators;
• Experience with Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), topology optimization, or lattice structures;
• Knowledge of post-processing, heat treatment, surface finishing, cleaning, and inspection of AM metal parts;
• Experience with qualifications, reliability, and repeatability of manufacturing processes;
• Experience with vacuum, thermal cycling, outgassing, or environmental testing, generating patents, technical publications, or R&D proposals;
• Spanish language skills are desirable but not mandatory.