Equipping individuals and organizations with the skills, tools, and knowledge needed to innovate, compete, and lead in the evolving world of advanced manufacturing.
Drive AM is a collaborative hub for advancing additive manufacturing education, research, and industry adoption. We provide hands-on, data-backed training for both novice and experienced professionals, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world manufacturing challenges. Through partnerships with industry leaders, research institutions, and workforce development initiatives, Drive AM delivers high-impact learning experiences and applied research solutions that address the evolving needs of advanced manufacturing.
Our programs integrate cutting-edge equipment, practical design-to-production workflows, and industry-relevant case studies to equip participants with the skills and insights necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing manufacturing landscape. By combining technical expertise, open collaboration, and a commitment to innovation, Drive AM empowers the next generation of makers, engineers, and problem-solvers.
Board of Directors
Francisco Medina, Ph.D.
David Espalin, Ph.D.
Hunter Taylor, Ph.D.
The Team
Jorge Mireles, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Jorge is a technical expert in additive manufacturing with comprehensive experience spanning business development, operations, quality, and engineering.
In a customer-facing role, Jorge bridges the technical and business aspects of the industry, ensuring on-time delivery, product quality, and customer satisfaction for high-profile aerospace and defense clients.
Throughout his career, Jorge has led product development initiatives for organizations such as Airbus, NASA, and Lockheed Martin, driving additive manufacturing programs from serial production to rapid prototyping. He spearheaded the technical qualification of eight aerospace products, including the first additively manufactured titanium bracket for a serial production commercial aircraft, and contributed to schedule-critical programs like NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
Luis Mendoza
Consulting Engineer I
Luis is pursuing his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at El Paso, where he previously earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. With a passion for aerospace, additive manufacturing, automotive.
Luis thrives at the intersection of mechanical design, software integration, and innovation.
He has gained diverse experience through roles at Hiller Measurements, W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation, General Motors, and Freeport McMoRan.
His work has ranged from designing Python-based microservices and developing CI/CD pipelines for Automated Test Equipment (ATE) systems, to conducting additive manufacturing research on advanced alloys, optimizing paint process engineering in automotive manufacturing, and managing sustainability projects in copper production.