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Ceramic Additive Process Engineer

Beehive Industries, LLC, Loveland, CO, 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.

Founded in 2020, the company is headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, with additional facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee, Loveland Ohio, and Mount Vernon, Ohio. Beehive is committed to grow and advance the defense industrial base while manufacturing exclusively in the USA. This role will be located at our Loveland, Ohio facility.

Role Overview
The Ceramic Additive Process Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and scaling ceramic additive manufacturing processes for advanced applications, including investment casting molds, cores, and high‑temperature components. This role focuses on binder jet and related technologies, driving process stability, material performance, and production throughput in a digitally integrated manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do...

Develop and optimize ceramic additive manufacturing processes, with emphasis on:

Binder jet printing of molds and cores

Slurry‑based and photopolymer ceramic systems (SLA/DLP where applicable)

Define and control critical process parameters, including:

Binder saturation and droplet behavior

Layer thickness, recoating, and drying conditions

Lead development of binder systems and chemistries, including:

Debind and burnout behavior

Compatibility with superalloy casting processes

Optimize print quality and resolution, addressing:

Surface finish

Dimensional accuracy

Feature fidelity and defect reduction (streaking, delamination, warping)

Develop and refine post‑processing workflows, including:

Drying and curing

Debinding cycles (thermal and/or catalytic)

Sintering or infiltration strategies (if applicable)

Collaborate with casting and materials teams to ensure:

Mold integrity during preheat and pour

Thermal shock resistance

Minimal interaction with molten alloys (e.g., Ni‑based superalloys)

Support design‑for‑additive (DfAM) guidelines for ceramic molds and cores:

Wall thickness limits

Drainage/venting strategies

Implement in‑process monitoring and control systems, including:

Drive process scale‑up from R&D to production, including:

Throughput optimization

Yield improvement

Equipment qualification and repeatability

Troubleshoot process issues such as:

Binder/powder incompatibility

You have...

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

5+ years of experience in ceramic processing, additive manufacturing, or powder‑based systems

Strong understanding of:

Ceramic materials and high‑temperature behavior

Binder chemistry and fluid dynamics

Thermal processing (drying, debinding, sintering)

Experience with binder jet or similar additive processes

Familiarity with process control and experimental design (DOE)

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

Nice to have...

Experience with ceramic molds/cores for investment casting

Familiarity with Ni‑based superalloy casting environments (IN718, MAR‑M247, Rene alloys)

Experience working with high‑temperature binders and burnout systems

Knowledge of printhead systems (piezoelectric jetting) and fluid delivery optimization

Experience in aerospace or AS9100‑regulated environments

Background in scale‑up or manufacturing ramp of additive processes

Exposure to simulation tools (thermal, flow, or sintering models)

If this sounds like you, please submit an application with your resume. This could be the opportunity you are looking for to expand your skills, contribute to a winning team, and work with talented people who love what they do and take pride in our mission.

Beehive Industries offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes group Medical, Dental, Life, and Short and Long‑Term disability coverage from day one. We also offer a generous 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a Company match. Every role at Beehive Industries is bonus eligible and will also receive equity in the company.

Beehive Industries is committed to full compliance with applicable anti‑discrimination laws. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We strive to create an inclusive work environment and will not discriminateon the basis ofrace, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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