Dwight Maness

Role

Agile Manufacturing Tech Area Lead

Company

Air Force Research Laboratory

About

Dwight Maness is the Agile Manufacturing Tech Area Lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory's Foundational Technologies Directorate (AFRL/REM). For the past 16 years, Dwight has been building and developing robotic systems across academia, industry, and the Air Force. In his current role, he manages a diverse portfolio that includes automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and non-destructive inspection (NDI). His main focus is finding creative ways to combine these technologies, transforming traditional, rigid manufacturing lines into highly flexible and responsive networks. Areas of Interest include: adaptable manufacturing, distributed/ deployable systems, and hybridized machining centers. Beyond his daily work at AFRL, Dwight helps guide broader defense manufacturing initiatives. He serves as the Research & Engineering (R&E) Co-Chair for the Joint Robotics Organization for Building Organic Technologies (JROBOT) and is a primary member of the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel (JDMTP) Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise (AME) subpanel.