Senior Director of Engineering - Aerosol Jet 3D Printing, Motion Control & Electronics

Description

The Senior Director of Engineering will lead the global engineering organization responsible for the design, development, and industrialization of Aerosol Jet additive manufacturing systems . This executive will drive innovation and best practices across motion control, fluidic delivery, deposition systems, electronics, and embedded controls , ensuring world-class performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

This role requires a strategic technical leader who can guide multi-disciplinary engineering teams, integrate complex subsystems, and partner with manufacturing and outsourced partners to deliver scalable, production-ready solutions for advanced printed electronics and precision additive manufacturing.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Technical Leadership

• Define and execute the engineering roadmap for next-generation Aerosol Jet 3D printing systems and subsystems (motion platforms, deposition heads, electronics, and control architecture).


• Lead cross-functional teams in mechatronics, electrical, firmware, and process control engineering.


• Aligning engineering priorities with business goals for performance, yield, cost, and manufacturability.


• Provide technical oversight in fluid dynamics , aerosol generation , atomization , and printhead design .


• Champion engineering best practices for reliability, system integration, and design for manufacturing (DFM/DFA).

System Design & Motion Control

• Direct the design and optimization of precision motion and positioning systems , including linear/rotary stages, servo drives, feedback sensors, and motion controllers.


• Oversee system-level integration between mechanical motion , electronic control , and deposition subsystems to achieve micro-level repeatability and throughput goals.


• Ensure implementation of advanced motion algorithms , trajectory planning, and synchronization with deposition timing for high-accuracy material placement.

Electronics & Embedded Systems

• Guide architecture and development of control electronics , power systems , and embedded firmware for real-time control of Aerosol Jet processes.


• Ensure robust system integration between sensors, motion controllers, PLCs, and user interfaces (HMI/software).


• Oversee design validation, EMI/EMC compliance, and safety certification for global markets.

Operational & Program Management

• Implement stage-gate product development , configuration control, and design verification processes.


• Drive outsourced manufacturing and supplier collaboration for motion subsystems, electronics, and precision assemblies.


• Establish strong partnerships with contract manufacturers, ensuring technical transfer and sustaining support.


• Manage engineering budgets, schedules, and resource allocation across global sites.

People & Organizational Leadership

• Build and mentor a world-class engineering team across hardware, controls, and system integration disciplines.


• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and technical excellence .


• Develop engineering leaders capable of scaling with the organization’s growth.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering required.


• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in relevant field (e.g., Controls, Mechatronics, Applied Physics, or Materials Science) preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of engineering experience with 7+ years in senior leadership roles within high-precision equipment industries (3D printing, semiconductor tools, inkjet, or industrial automation).


• Understanding and expertise in Aerosol Jet, inkjet printing, or micro dispensing systems , including understanding of atomization, aerosol transport, and deposition control .


• Strong background in motion control , embedded systems , and precision mechatronics .


• Demonstrated success scaling engineering organizations and transitioning products from R&D to volume manufacturing .


• Experience managing outsourced design and manufacturing partnerships globally.

Skills

• Deep system-level understanding of 3D printing technology and motion control systems, with understanding of automation integration for scaling mass production operations in manufacturing.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on design robustness and process stability.


• Effective communicator capable of influencing across technical and executive levels.


• Skilled in risk management, root cause analysis, and process improvement.

Performance Metrics

• On-time, on-budget delivery of new product introductions (NPI).


• Achieved performance improvements in print resolution, throughput, and reliability .


• Supplier and partner quality metrics.


• Team growth, retention, and cross-functional collaboration outcomes.


• Align with software understanding and operational integration with hardware.