DRVN Automotive Group
Additive Manufacturing Lead
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Additive Manufacturing Lead
We are seeking an Additive Manufacturing Lead to establish and lead our in-house Additive Manufacturing capability in Coventry, supporting vehicle development, rapid prototyping, tooling and low-volume production across our specialist automotive programmes.
As DRVN's technical expert for additive manufacturing, the successful candidate will play a key role in the specification, installation, operation and ongoing development of the capability. This is a highly hands-on position covering the full additive manufacturing process, from design and build preparation through machine operation, post-processing, inspection and final part delivery.
Overview of the Role
- Salary - £50,000 - £60,000
- Holidays: 33 days includes Bank Holidays
- Salary Sacrifice Pension
- Private Healthcare/Life Insurance
- Employee Referral Scheme
- Location – Coventry
Company Overview
The DRVN Automotive Group is a sector-leading automotive group, specialising in the design, manufacture, and distribution of luxury automotive brands. Recognised globally for our commitment to innovation, quality, and engineering, we are proudly centred around delivering a world-class customer experience.
Our recent launch of Evoluto, along with the reimagination of some of Ford Motor Company's most historically significant icons including the RS200 and MK1 Escort places DRVN at the forefront of modern automotive excellence. These programmes provide our teams with an exceptional platform to contribute to some of the most exciting modernisation programmes in the industry.
Key Responsibilities
Additive Manufacturing Operations
- Review DRVN’s requirement for additive manufactured components and determine what components should be made in-house and with what technology. The Business Case.
- Review, procure and install the appropriate equipment to make DRVN’s additive manufactured components.
- Programme, prepare and operate professional and industrial additive manufacturing equipment.
- Produce prototype, development, tooling and low-volume production components to support DRVN vehicle programmes.
- Prepare print jobs, optimise build orientation and support structures, and manage machine utilisation and build scheduling.
- Perform routine machine maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting and first-line technical support.
- Manage post-processing activities including support removal, finishing, assembly and inspection.
- Ensure parts are produced to the required quality, dimensional, functional and delivery requirements.
Capability Development
- Support the establishment, commissioning and continuous improvement of DRVN's in-house additive manufacturing capability.
- Provide technical guidance on machine, software, material and process selection.
- Support facility layout, workflow development, equipment installation and commissioning activities.
- Develop and qualify new materials, processes and additive manufacturing applications.
- Identify opportunities where additive manufacturing can reduce development lead times, cost or conventional tooling investment.
- Track machine utilisation, material consumption, throughput and capability requirements to support future investment decisions.
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Engineering Support
- Work closely with Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering teams to develop components suitable for additive manufacture.
- Support rapid prototype requirements across vehicle development programmes, responding quickly to changing engineering needs.
- Design and manufacture fixtures, jigs, gauges, assembly aids and development tooling using additive manufacturing technologies.
- Provide Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) guidance to engineers, designers and project teams.
- Evaluate component suitability for additive manufacture, considering geometry, material, loading, tolerances, finish, volume and cost.
- Support CAD preparation and design optimisation for printed parts, tooling and manufacturing aids.
Quality, Safety & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain safe working practices across additive manufacturing operations and ensure equipment is operated in line with relevant procedures and manufacturer requirements.
- Support quality planning, inspection, validation and traceability activities for additive manufactured components.
- Lead or support root-cause investigations into print failures, dimensional concerns, machine issues and process non-conformances, implementing effective corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain process documentation, work instructions, operating procedures and maintenance records.
- Monitor machine performance, process repeatability, material usage and production efficiency, identifying opportunities for improvement.
- Apply lessons learned across DRVN programmes to improve future additive manufacturing applications and process robustness.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Procurement, Quality, Design, Engineering and Production teams to deliver additive manufacturing requirements.
- Support Procurement with the technical specification and evaluation of machines, software, materials, service agreements and supporting equipment.
- Engage with equipment and material suppliers to resolve technical issues and develop the capability.
- Provide clear technical guidance on additive manufacturing feasibility, timing, cost and process risks to programme stakeholders.
- Act as the internal technical point of contact for additive manufacturing and promote effective use of the capability across the business.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Minimum 5 years' practical experience in additive manufacturing or industrial 3D printing.
- Hands-on experience programming, preparing and operating professional or industrial additive manufacturing equipment.
- Practical experience with polymer-based additive manufacturing technologies and associated materials.
- Strong understanding of print preparation software, build orientation, support strategies, machine operation and post-processing techniques.
- Experience producing functional engineering components, prototypes, tooling, jigs, fixtures or low-volume production parts.
- Strong troubleshooting capability across print failures, machine issues and additive manufacturing process concerns.
- Experience working within a manufacturing, engineering or product-development environment.
- Ability to interpret CAD data, engineering drawings, specifications and dimensional requirements.
- Strong practical problem-solving skills and confidence working independently in a hands-on technical environment.
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Desirable Experience
- Experience with metal additive manufacturing technologies.
- Automotive, motorsport, aerospace or advanced manufacturing background.
- Experience working within low-volume, specialist or high-performance production environments.
- Familiarity with quality systems, dimensional inspection and validation processes.
- Experience specifying, introducing, commissioning or industrialising new manufacturing equipment and technologies.
- Strong knowledge of Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) principles.
- Experience with generative design and topology optimisation tools.
Personal Attributes
- Practical, hands-on approach with a willingness to take direct ownership of equipment and output.
- Strong technical problem-solving skills and a structured approach to process improvement.
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently while supporting multiple engineering teams.
- Clear communicator with the ability to translate additive manufacturing capability and limitations for cross-functional stakeholders.
- Passionate about advanced manufacturing technologies and developing new applications.
- Continuous-improvement mindset with a focus on quality, repeatability, efficiency and delivery.
Qualifications
- Degree, HNC/HND, apprenticeship or equivalent professional experience in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Product Design or a related discipline.
- Relevant additive manufacturing qualifications, training or professional certifications are desirable.
Right to Work
Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Right-to-work checks will be carried out in accordance with Home Office requirements.
Equality & Inclusion Statement
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
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