Manufacturing Engineer

About Us:

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance (SKDLA) is a nationally recognized leader in restorative dentistry, passionate about helping people smile with confidence. We partner with dental professionals across the country to deliver world-class restorations, advanced dental equipment, and trusted services that make a difference for patients every day.

At SKDLA, we combine craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and a deep commitment to quality to create beautiful, lasting results. More than just a dental lab, we are driven by the belief that every restoration represents a person’s confidence, comfort, and well-being - and that’s a responsibility we take to heart.

Our operations are centered around two advanced Centers of Excellence located in Orange County and Los Angeles. This collaborative environment allows our skilled technicians to innovate, mentor one another, and consistently deliver outstanding results.

Overview:

We’re hiring a Manufacturing Engineer, Smart Manufacturing at Spectrum Killian as we continue to push beyond traditional dental laboratory standards and into the era of Industry 4.0.

At Spectrum Killian, we don’t just manufacture dental prosthetics; we are building a cognitive manufacturing ecosystem. We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer who is hungry to bridge the gap between Mechanical Engineering, Autonomous Robotics, and Physical AI.

You won't just be managing machines; you will be architecting the data pipelines and "brains" that allow our production floor to see, learn, and optimize itself in real time.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

• Architect Autonomous Systems: Design and deploy robotic systems (6-axis, SCARA) capable of handling unique dental geometries with Physical AI-driven adaptability.
• Physical AI Implementation: Develop and integrate Computer Vision (OpenCV/YOLO) for real-time defect detection, margin line verification, and automated quality control.
• Foundation Models for Robotics: Explore and deploy Foundation Models to enable robots to perform complex, non-linear tasks like adaptive polishing or support removal on variable dental geometries.
• Quality & Compliance: Ensure all automated systems and processes remain in strict 100% compliance with ISO 13485 and FDA 21 CFR Part 820 standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive operational excellence using DMAIC methodologies. Lead root-cause analysis and implement CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions).
• Drive Industry 4.0 Strategy: Lead the digital transformation of the shop floor by integrating IIoT sensors to create a "Digital Twin" of our dental processes.
• Data Analytics & Visualization: Build and maintain automated Power BI dashboards to track OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), yield rates, and AI model inference accuracy.
• Bridge the Digital-to-Physical Gap: Create custom API integrations between dental CAD/CAM software (3Shape, exocad) and robotic hardware using Python or C .

Who We’re Looking For:

• Academic Foundation: BS in Mechanical Engineering (Required).
• Robotics Mastery: 4 years of hands-on experience with industrial robotics and PLC logic.
• The Physical AI Stack: Proficiency in Python and C .
• Hands-on experience with Computer Vision (OpenCV, YOLO) for object detection and spatial reasoning.
• Direct interest or experience in Foundation Models for Robotics.
• Data Science: Advanced experience in Data Analytics and Power BI for manufacturing intelligence.
• Manufacturing Expertise: Deep understanding of 5-axis milling and industrial 3D printing.
• Industry 4.0 Knowledge: Familiarity with MQTT, OPC-UA, and cloud-to-edge data architectures (NVIDIA Jetson/Edge TPU).
• Precision Mindset: Understanding GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) where microns actually matter.
• Hungry for Physical AI: You follow the latest breakthroughs in AI research and are itching to apply them to real-world dental hardware.
• Data-Driven Storyteller: You don't just "feel" like the line is running better; you use Data Analytics to prove it with hard evidence.
• The "Wrench & Code" Hybrid: You are equally comfortable debugging a YOLOv8 model, analyzing a Power BI dataset, or calibrating a 5-axis mill.
• First-Principles Thinker: You understand the physics of Zirconia and Titanium as well as you understand the logic of an algorithm.

Why SKDLA?

• Inclusive Environment: We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming workplace for individuals of all backgrounds.
• Career Growth: Spectrum Killian is growing rapidly, offering new opportunities to advance within the company and across promoting internal mobility.
• Compensation and Benefits: We provide competitive pay and upon conversion to full-time status, employees are eligible to enroll in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401K: Full-time employees are also eligible to participate in the company’s 401(k) plan with an employer match.

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $70,000-$80,000. Final compensation will be individually assessed and may differ based on a variety of factors such as your experience, qualifications, education, skill set, certifications, and other relevant considerations.

Become part of Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance, a trusted leader in restorative and esthetic dentistry. Work alongside skilled technicians in state-of-the-art facilities to deliver high-quality dental solutions that make a lasting impact. If you're driven by innovation, quality, and continuous growth, we invite you to apply and contribute to the future of dental care!