Manufacturing Engineer (New Grad December 2026)

Job details

Work model

On-site

Salary

$95,000 – $110,000

Location

Los Angeles, CA (On-site)

Hiring context

How this role compares at Freeform

Freeform has 75 live roles in MeritLog’s catalog across 5 job families, and 59 of them are in engineering. 9 of those listings publish a pay range, a disclosure rate of 12%.

Counted across the job boards MeritLog tracks, at the time this page was served. Pay comparisons use only listings that publish a complete range in the same currency and period.

What the role asks for

Parsed by MeritLog from the employer’s own posting. The full description follows below.

Job description

MANUFACTURING ENGINEER (NEW GRAD DECEMBER 2026) 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 Engineer 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 to be successful here - rather we look for smart, motivated, collaborative individuals who love solving hard problems and creating amazing technology! Responsibilities: • Work closely with engineers to design and implement scalable manufacturing processes for new hardware and printed parts • Support part flow through the factory by improving fixturing, test procedures, and post-processing steps • Develop lightweight documentation and process standards to support scaling production without slowing engineering iteration • Build and iterate on tooling, jigs, and test setups to support reliable, high-throughput production • Help identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in how parts, materials, and data move through the factory, and work with cross-functional teams to improve them • Support early production of high-performance printed parts, helping bridge the gap between R&D and high-rate manufacturing • Contribute to CNC machining workflows, including programming, setup, and optimization of multi-axis operations for post-processing of printed parts Basic Qualifications: • 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: • Based in Hawthorne, our vertically integrated facility brings technology development, R&D, and production together under one roof. We operate at the center of LA’s deep tech ecosystem, surrounded by some of the most ambitious hardware innovation happening anywhere in the country. • Our fast-paced, cross-functional environment is built on close collaboration, and as such, this role requires full-time onsite presence (five days a week), with very limited exceptions. What We Offer: • We have an inclusive and diverse culture that values collaboration, learning, and making deliberate data-driven decisions. • We offer a unique opportunity to be an early and integral member of a rapidly growing company that is scaling a world-changing technology. • Benefits • Significant stock option packages • 100% employer-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (premium PPO and HMO options) • Life insurance • Traditional and Roth 401(k) • Relocation assistance provided • Paid vacation, sick leave, and company holidays • Generous Paid Parental Leave and extended transition back to work for the birthing parent • Free daily catered lunch and dinner, and fully stocked kitchenette • Casual dress, flexible work hours, and regular catered team building events • Compensation • Our intent is to offer a salary that is commensurate for the company’s current stage of development and allows the employee to grow and develop within a role. • In addition to the significant stock option package, the estimated salary range for this role is $95,000-$110,000, dependent on the candidate's academic level (Bachelors, Masters, or PhD) and demonstrated out of classroom experience. • Freeform is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity; employment with Freeform is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.