Process Engineer, Forging, Special Projects
About the role
Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts. We’re accelerating our mission with the launch of Factory 3 in Mesa, Arizona, a 290,000-square-foot facility creating 350 new jobs. We are expanding rapidly to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to expand into naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts. Hadrian is backed by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, our fast-growing team is united around reindustrializing American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond. The factories-as-a-service team analyzes our current customers' production and supply chain challenges, builds data-driven presentations, designs and scopes factories of the future, and assists the Federal and Strategic sales team in forming long-term partnerships with the DOD, Primes, and other manufacturers. This team is responsible for scoping, design, cost, schedule, and technology analysis, as well as proposals for major programs and manufacturing transformations across all manufacturing methods and domains. With several major programs in flight, we are hiring rapidly for this team that will effectively analyze, design, scope, plan, and handover (or join) execution of large-scale manufacturing efforts. The Role: Analyze Bills of Materials (BOMs), CAD models, and technical drawings to classify forging parts by process complexity, alloy type, size, and risk. Develop first-principles cycle-time models using simulation data, standard routings, and historical performance metrics. Define and document end-to-end forging process flows, including billet cutting and heating, tooling assembly and re-work, tooling change-over, hot forging using vertical and horizontal forging equipment for the mechanical, hydraulic, and screw processes for bulk forming. Translate technical scoping outputs into capital and operational requirements for factory implementation (equipment, staffing, takt planning). Collaborate cross-functionally with quality and inspection teams to define inspection strategies, CTQ checkpoints, and measurement system analysis plans. What We’re Looking For: 5+ years of experience in process engineering within ferrous or non-ferrous forging environments, including hot, warm, and cold operations. Proficiency with forging simulation tools (e.g., DEFORM, Forge, Q-Form) and experience validating simulation outcomes against real-world results. Strong understanding of quality systems, including authorship of PFMEAs and control plans; experience executing AS9102-compliant First Article Inspections (FAIs). Familiarity with hot metal testing methods (e.g., NDT, vision systems, gaging, contact measurement) and in process defect detection. What Will Set You Apart: Experience designing greenfield manufacturing cells or establishing lab infrastructure for tooling inspection, mechanical destructive testing, first article and production inspection. or Knowledge of aerospace and defense forging standards (e.g., NADCAP, ASTM specifications, traceability requirements). Familiarity with forging automation technologies and non-destructive testing (e.g., Vision, UT, Mag-particle) methods. Exposure to regulated manufacturing or reporting frameworks (e.g., PPAP, EVMS, IPMDAR). Benefits Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees 401k Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need. Flexible vacation policy ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here . Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.