Manager, Applications Engineering

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.

Valued at $1.6B, 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 Role

Hadrian’s Applications Engineering team develops 0→1 machining solutions that supercharge the throughput and capabilities of our factories. The Engineering Manager for Applications is responsible for people, execution, and the operating systems that enable predictable delivery across multiple sites.

You do not own technical direction. You partner with a Technical Lead as an equal leadership peer. The Technical Lead owns engineering standards, technical decisions, and deep technical review. You own delivery, cross-functional alignment, and ensure the team has focus, clarity, and leverage to execute high-impact work.

You will build a team and an operating model that delivers new machining capabilities, scales subject-matter expertise, and reduces reliance on heroics.

What You’ll Do

• Lead, recruit, and develop a world-class Applications Engineering team across multiple factories.
• Partner peer-to-peer with the Technical Lead: TL owns technical direction; you own execution, prioritization, and team health.
• Build and operate a capability launch lifecycle with clear readiness gates and Definition of Done.
• Ensure technical standards and programming excellence are fully implemented through the TL’s review and governance.
• Establish operating mechanisms, documentation, and knowledge systems that prevent tribal knowledge and unplanned firefighting.
• Own roadmap delivery and cross-functional alignment with Operations, CNC Controls, Software, and Sales.
• Define support triage and maturity policies that reduce recurring SME burden and free senior IC time for creation.
• Improve throughput, First Pass Yield (FPY), and productivity through systematic process improvements.
• Implement structured feedback, coaching, and growth systems for engineers at all levels.
• Maintain accountability to production outcomes and business priorities.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years leading high-performance engineering teams in CNC manufacturing, industrial automation, or hardware production.
• Ability to run disciplined execution systems in dynamic environments.
• Strong understanding of advanced machining processes, tooling, and production process development.
• Proven success scaling teams and systems while maintaining high quality and predictable delivery.
• Excellent cross-functional communication with shop-floor and software-driven teams.
• Track record developing engineers and driving leverage for senior talent.

What Will Set You Apart

• Experience scaling engineering teams across multi-site operations.
• Experience with mill-turn, Inconel, and aerospace hard-metal capability development.
• Exposure to process monitoring, measurement systems, and factory quality initiatives.
• Strong systems design mindset and comfort operating with high ambiguity.

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.