The skills and certifications needed to succeed as an additive manufacturing engineer will depend on your industry and application, so choose how to spend your professional development hours wisely.
Below you’ll find links and summaries of seven high-quality programs that can help you become the ultimate additive manufacturing engineer.
“Additive Manufacturing Certificate Program”
- Texas A&M
- Online or In-Person
- 40 hours
- $5,995
One of the unique things about this program is the collaboration with Additive Minds, the EOS applied engineering team. Offered in both in-person and remote synchronous online formats, the program is intended to cover the essential topics in additive manufacturing.
Key modules in the program include Additive Manufacturing Fundamentals, Product and Process Design (including DfAM), Additive Manufacturing Materials, and Quality and Cost Considerations.
Upon completion of all modules, participants receive an Additive Manufacturing Certificate and earn 40 profession development hours. Organizations can also customize the program by selecting specific modules for their employees, with program costs customized based on delivery format and selected topics.
In-person sessions are held at the Texas A&M University campus in College Station with meals provided. Transportation and lodging are not included.
“Additive Manufacturing Program”
- University of California, San Diego
- “mostly online”
- 18 months
- $3,970
This program is presented as offering hands-on experience and comprehensive training in the principles, standards, materials and applications of AM. Designed for professionals, engineering graduates and anyone seeking a career in additive manufacturing. Students learn practical skills for modeling 3D-printed parts with SolidWorks as well as how to measure parts according to industry standards.
The program is a combination of required courses and elective options, though at the time of writing the courses on offer appear to be in flux. Currently available required courses cover SolidWorks for 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing Technologies, while the electives include Mechanical Design with MATLAB and Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T).
Upon completion of the program, students earn a specialized certificate in additive manufacturing and may also prepare for industry-recognized certifications, such as the CSWA-AM certification from SolidWorks. While the program is presented as “mostly online” the FAQ admits that one of the required courses is currently in-person only.
“Additive Manufacturing Specialization”
- Arizona State University
- Online
- 10 hours per week for 4 weeks
- Free
This introductory program consists of five courses and covers six different AM processes, including material extrusion, vat photopolymerization, and powder bed fusion. Students will learn to compare and contrast these techniques as well as how to apply a DfAM framework in decision making.
Each course within the series addresses a different aspect of AM, including build preparation, post-processing, and part selection., the series is highly rated on Coursera: 4.9 out of 5 stars with 57 reviews at time of writing.
“Additive Manufacturing for Innovative Design and Production”
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Online
- 12 weeks
- $2,369
This course is designed to offer training on the fundamentals, applications and business implications of 3D printing and DfAM. It covers technical principles and workflows for 3D printing polymers, metals and composites, along with how AM can create value throughout the product lifecycle. Topics include assessing the value of 3D- printed parts, selecting appropriate AM processes and materials, and evaluating the business case for transitioning to AM production.
The technical requirements for the course are familiarity with pre-college math and physics and access to Autodesk Fusion 360 for completing activities and assignments.
“Graduate Certificate in Additive Manufacturing and Design”
- Pennsylvania State University
- Online
- 1-2 years
- $13,584
This online program is aimed at providing foundational knowledge in 3D printing while fostering the problem-solving skills and creativity necessary for additive manufacturing engineers. Topics covered include the design of lightweight structures, maintaining ethical standards and identifying barriers to industry adoption.
Students must complete three of the four courses on offer to earn the certificate.
“Additive Manufacturing Certificate Program”
- Purdue University, The Barnes Global Advisors
- Online
- 60 hours (80 hours for Honors)
- $1,500 ($1,900 for Honors)
Purdue University and The Barnes Global Advisors have partnered to offer an online program designed for working professionals and students to stay updated on AM technologies.
The program covers 3D printing processes, materials and design, as well as the business and economics of additive manufacturing. Participants take core courses in AM Essentials and AM Technology and Materials plus at least one elective. The AM Design elective is required to earn the certificate for Engineers and Managers; the AM Business & Economics elective is required for the Business Professionals certificate. Completing all four courses earns an Honors certificate.
“Introduction to Additive Manufacturing”
- South East Technological University
- Online
- 12 weeks
- Price Unconfirmed
The newest offering on the list, this online course is derived from SETU’s BSc in Additive Manufacturing, though that program is in-person. The introductory course covers practical topics, such as the benefits and limitations of AM technologies, analysis of AM platforms, materials and post-processing techniques; and design principles for AM, including topology optimization and generative design. On the theoretical side, the course covers the evolution of 3D printing, its impact on traditional supply chains and overall industry adoption trends. Engineering.com reached out to SETU, but the university could not confirm the course fee at time of publication.