Welcome to the latest edition of our 3D printing jobs and career moves update for the additive manufacturing sector.
In this edition, we’ll highlight recent developments and movements in the industry’s workforce, shedding light on the dynamic landscape of the additive manufacturing sector.
Read on for recent hires and facility openings at Ai Build, Materialise, Norco, Nikon Corporation, WAAM3D and more.
New Hires at Norco, SWISSto12, Velo3D, WAAM3D, and more
Kicking off with new hires, large composites, and GRP moldings manufacturer Norco has welcomed Max Osmond as the new head of Additive Manufacturing and CNC Development, reinforcing efforts to expand in advanced manufacturing. With a 27-year tenure as Director of MSA Manufacturing Limited, Osmond brings deep expertise in CNC kitting, 3D printing, and composite machining.
Based in Ferndown, Dorset, MSA Manufacturing played a vital role in supplying composite materials before ceasing operations in 2024. At Norco, Osmond will focus on strengthening large-format 3D printing, streamlining CNC and additive workflows, and scaling operations. Industry relationships and technical knowledge position him to drive efficiency and innovation, with a long-term vision centered on team development and refining manufacturing processes for sustained growth.
Next up, Ben Morgan has stepped into the role of interim CEO at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), following the departure of Steve Foxley in December 2024.
Previously serving as AMRC’s research director and chief technology officer (CTO), Morgan will now lead the AMRC Board, collaborating with industrial partners, government bodies, and the wider team across South Yorkshire, Wales, and Lancashire. Since joining AMRC as a project engineer in 2009, Morgan progressed through key leadership roles, including head of the integrated manufacturing group at Factory 2050, where he led a team of over 70, and later as research director for more than five years.
Ben said, “I am excited and humbled to lead a wonderful organisation for which I have devoted my career. I look forward to working with the AMRC team, the wider University and colleagues across the High Value Manufacturing Catapult to continue to deliver impact to industry across the UK.
Cranfield University spin-out WAAM3D has appointed Lee Chee Weng as its interim CEO at WAAM3D, following Filomeno Martina’s decision to step down after six years of leadership. As a long-time board member, Lee also serves as Managing Director of Addept3D and Vice President of Advanced Manufacturing at Accuron.
Martina’s journey with WAAM3D began in 2010 as a Cranfield University MSc student, driven by a belief in the potential of wire arc additive manufacturing. Over the years, he helped grow the company from an academic team into a commercial enterprise, navigating challenges and expanding operations to Milton Keynes. While stepping away from day-to-day leadership, he remains a shareholder and looks forward to WAAM3D’s continued success under Lee’s guidance.
Swiss technology group Oerlikon has nominated Dr. Stefan Brupbacher, Marco Musetti, and Dr. Eveline Steinberger for election to its Board of Directors at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 1, 2025. If approved, they will replace Irina Matveeva, Gerhard Pegam, and Zhenguo Yao, who are stepping down.
With a strong background in economic policy and industry leadership, Brupbacher brings experience as Director of Swissmem and a board member at Orgalim. His previous role as Secretary General of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education, and Research (EAER) involved shaping policies that supported Switzerland’s industrial and technological growth. Plans are in place for him to take on the role of Lead Independent Director and chair the Governance Committee.
Moreover, Musetti has spent years working across industries, holding board positions at medmix AG, Octo Telematics, GEM Capital, and United Kalahari Minerals. His expertise in corporate governance, business development, and investment strategy makes him a strong candidate for the Audit & Finance Committee. Additionally, his international experience adds a global perspective to the board’s decision-making.
As a specialist in AI, big data, augmented reality, and robotics, Steinberger founded The Blue Minds Company in 2014, focusing on digitalization and energy transition. Leadership roles at Siemens, the Climate and Energy Fund of the Austrian Federal Government, and VERBUND AG highlight her background in energy and infrastructure. As a Supervisory Board member at UniCredit Bank Austria, she brings additional financial and strategic expertise, with plans for her to serve on the Governance and Human Resources Committees.
Apart from these changes, Oerlikon’s board structure remains unchanged, ensuring continuity while integrating fresh perspectives into its leadership team.
Radio Frequency (RF) component supplier SWISSto12 has named Steve Collar as Chairman of its Board of Directors, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the satellite industry. His leadership at satellite communication service firm SES included five years as CEO, where he oversaw one of the world’s largest satellite operators.
Before that, he spent over six years at O3b Networks, guiding the company from its early funding stages to a successful satellite constellation launch and commercial expansion. Under his direction, O3b became the fastest-growing satellite operator in the industry. Stepping into the role previously held by Roland Loos, who will remain on the board, Collar is set to contribute his expertise in scaling satellite businesses and driving industry growth.
America Makes has appointed Andrew Thompson as chair of the Roadmap Advisory Group (RMAG) and Rick Russell as chairperson of the Executive Committee, bringing experienced leadership to guide the institute’s strategic initiatives.
Serving as Deputy Chief Engineer for Additive Manufacturing at Northrop Grumman Space Systems, Thompson will take charge of shaping RMAG’s direction. His role involves leading key initiatives, recruiting members, engaging working groups, and ensuring the roadmap stays aligned with America Makes’ mission. He will also collaborate with the institute to maintain data, set priorities, and keep the Executive Committee informed on project call topics.
As a chairperson, Russell will oversee the Executive Committee, working alongside industry experts from academia, government, and economic development sectors. His leadership will focus on implementing strategies, policies, and advocacy efforts that accelerate additive manufacturing adoption and enhance U.S. manufacturing competitiveness on a global scale.
Supporting Russell’s efforts, Sandra DeVincent Wolf, Ph.D., has been appointed Secretary of the Executive Committee. As Executive Director of Carnegie Mellon University’s (CMU) Manufacturing Futures Institute, she plays a key role in advancing manufacturing research. She also leads the NextManufacturing Center, a major hub for additive manufacturing research, where she manages partnerships, industry consortiums, and metals AM laboratories.
Software development company ModuleWorks has appointed Amod Onkar as the Global Head of Marketing. He previously served as the Country Manager of India for SolidCAM. With over 25 years of experience in CAD/CAM and CNC machining, he brings expertise in strategic business development, team leadership, and industry innovation.
During his tenure at SolidCAM, Amod expanded the company’s customer base from two to over 1,200, driving a 20% annual growth rate in the past five years. He led a team of 72 engineers and sales professionals while advancing 3- and 5-axis milling technologies. His experience integrating ModuleWorks’ toolpath engines into SolidCAM products provides valuable insight for overseeing ModuleWorks’ global marketing and expansion efforts.
“I have known Amod for the past 20 years and could appreciate his work the whole time, especially his deep knowledge of CAM”, says Yavuz Murtezaoglu, Managing Director and founder of ModuleWorks.
The Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing Alliance (PAMA) has appointed Vince Anewenter, Director of the Rapid Prototyping Consortium at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), as the new Chair of its Executive Advisory Board. He takes over from David Walker, CTO of PrintFoam and Co-Founder of Azul 3D, who will continue with PAMA as Executive Advisory Board Chair, Ex-Officio.
PAMA has also announced that Dr. Callie Higgins, a leading researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), will step into the role in January 2027. She currently serves as the AM Coordinator for NIST’s Material Measurement Laboratory and co-leads the Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing Project.
Functioning as a collaboration initiative between NIST and RadTech, PAMA is dedicated to establishing industry-wide standards for photopolymer additive manufacturing. In 2025, the organization plans to focus on standardizing industry terminology and addressing the growing use of photopolymers in consumer and maker markets, particularly in terms of safety, health, and environmental considerations.
Metal 3D printer manufacturer Velo3D has appointed Darren Beckett as its new CTO, entrusting him with guiding the company’s technological direction and innovation efforts.
In his new position at Velo3D, Beckett will oversee the development and execution of technology initiatives, ensuring they support the company’s growth and align with industry needs. Having spent nearly 20 years at Intel Corporation, Beckett brings over 25 years of experience in technology leadership.
His career also includes leadership roles at Woodruff Scientific, where he served as VP of Engineering, and Sigma Additive Solutions, where he worked as CTO. At Sigma, he played a key role in advancing additive manufacturing quality control technologies.
New facility openings by AML3D, Materialise, Renishaw, Nikon, and more
Moving on to facility openings, Australian metal 3D printer manufacturer AML3D has launched its fully operational US technology center in Stow, Ohio, serving as its headquarters and a manufacturing hub.
The facility currently houses an ARCEMY AM system for large-scale metal 3D printing, with a second system set for installation in early 2025. Stow is fulfilling a AUD$2.27 million order from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), while AML3D plans to invest AUD$12 million to expand capacity in response to rising U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) demand, particularly for the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base.
Led by Pete Goumas, President of US Operations, Stow also supports AML3D’s sales, administration, and technical teams. The expansion strengthens AML3D’s US “Scale up” strategy, which has secured over AUD$16 million in contracts since 2023, and enhances its ability to access ITAR-restricted defense contracts while positioning the company for potential US policy shifts favoring domestic manufacturing.
Oil & gas company Aker Solutions has launched a 3D printing center in Trondheim to explore the potential of additive manufacturing (AM) for offshore maintenance and modifications. Developed together with Equinor, the ADDMO center is part of a seven-month pilot contract supporting operations at the Troll and Heidrun fields.
At the center, engineers will work on integrating AM into daily workflows, focusing on reducing costs, improving efficiency, and lowering emissions by enabling on-demand production of spare parts. This initiative builds on experience from the Johan Castberg project, where 7,000 components were successfully 3D printed. With more than 50 AM systems now in use across multiple locations, Aker Solutions continues to expand the role of 3D printing in offshore asset management.
London-based 3D printing software developer Aibuild has opened a new office in Silicon Valley to support its AI-powered AM operations in the U.S. Located within NIKON’s research campus in the San Francisco Bay Area, the office will facilitate alliance between the two companies, with NIKON being one of Aibuild’s key investors.
This new site will serve as a research and development hub, allowing Aibuild to expand its customer base and form new partnerships with U.S. manufacturers. The company aims to contribute to supply chain sovereignty in industries such as aerospace, defense, and energy, which are considered critical to national security.
Daghan Cam and Michail Desyllas, the founders of Aibuild said, “Expanding into United States with a new office in Silicon Valley is a pivotal moment for Aibuild. Getting closer to our key customers and partners in the region will allow us to respond to their needs faster. Working alongside NIKON in our new location will also deepen our partnership and accelerate our efforts to bring AI-driven automation into manufacturing.”
Additionally, Nikon Corporation is set to open the Nikon AM Technology Center Japan in Gyoda, Saitama Prefecture, with a grand opening event planned for February 28, 2025. Following the launch of its AM Technology Center in Long Beach, California, in July 2024, the new facility will serve as a hub for advanced manufacturing in Japan and Asia.
Equipped with Nikon SLM Solutions‘ NXG XII 600 laser powder bed fusion (PBF) system, the first of its kind in Japan, the center will focus on metal additive manufacturing for defense, space, and aviation sectors. High-precision directed energy deposition (DED) systems, including the Lasermeister LM300A, will also be available for repair and sustainment applications across various industries.
Global engineering firm Renishaw and IDEKO have opened a new Renishaw Solutions Centre in Elgoibar, Spain, to support research in advanced manufacturing. Located within the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), the facility is part of a partnership agreement signed during the 2024 International Machine Tool Exhibition in Bilbao.
Industry leaders, including Deputy Minister for Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Jaione Ganzarain, attended the inauguration, where technologies for 3D measurement, process control, metal AM, and industrial robotics calibration were presented. Additionally, the partnership extends to machine tools manufacturer Danobatgroup alongside the engineering firm supplying advanced technologies to enhance manufacturing capabilities across multiple product lines.
Elsewhere, Belgian 3D printing software and services provider Materialise has opened an Aerospace Competence Center in the Aerospace Innovation Hub in Delft, becoming the first additive manufacturing (AM) company to establish a presence there. The company has produced over 500,000 3D printed aerospace parts annually, supporting OEMs, airlines, MROs, and supplier tiers.
Establishing a base in Delft allows Materialise to work with TU Delft, startups, and industry professionals, contributing to research in sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing. With EASA POA and EN 9100 certifications, the company is positioned to support new AM applications while improving supply chain efficiency, lead times, and part design flexibility. Industrial giants Airbus and Collins Aerospace are already part of the innovation hub, fostering broader partnerships in aerospace technology.
“The opening of our new Aerospace Competence Center aligns with our commitment to support the aerospace industry through more than three decades of experience in additive manufacturing and software solutions, as well as our pioneering role in producing certified parts,” said Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, CEO of Materialise.
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