3D Printing Technician - Production (Contract, Palo Alto)

moon; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Job summary

Moon Creative Lab in San Francisco is seeking a skilled 3D Printing Technician to support Variloom's growing in-house production. The role covers end-to-end printing operations, maintenance, and process refinement for flexible filament printing.

You will collaborate with design and engineering, manage schedules across multiple prints, and help scale production capacity while ensuring high-quality finishes and accurate data/metrics.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience managing FDM/FFF 3D printers including calibration and maintenance.
• Proficiency with slicer software: OrcaSlicer and Simplify3D.
• Experience in production, manufacturing, or fabrication environments.
• Excellent time management across multiple jobs and deadlines.
• Adaptable to a fast-growing team and scalable processes.
• Familiar with Excel or similar tracking software for developments.

Responsibilities

• 3D Printer Operation and Maintenance: manage printers, run jobs, troubleshoot issues.
• Quality Control and Metrics: track dimensional accuracy, surface finish, defects.
• Process Development and Optimization: feed findings to upstream printing processes and ML models.
• Continuous Improvement: implement scalable, repeatable workflows and system improvements.
• Inventory and Logistics Management: label, pack, ship, and receive parts.

Skills

3D printing

Printer maintenance

Troubleshooting

Time management

Documentation

Quality control

Problem solving

Tools

OrcaSlicer

Simplify3D

CAD

Job description

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented 3D Printing Technician to join our growing team, Variloom. At Variloom, we're developing a novel, 3D printing-based textile manufacturing system from the ground up. In this role, you'll help us scale our in-house production capacity significantly to meet customer demand. You're an ideal candidate if you have a strong background in 3D printing technologies, hands-on technical experience with printing equipment and soft materials, and the ability to manage end-to-end processes from concept refinement to production.

This is an in-office role that starts part-time (20-28hrs/week) at an hourly rate of $25-$35, dependent on experience and matching to qualifications. Please note that Variloom team will open up an office in San Francisco, and this role will likely be SF based.

What You'll Do at Moon

3D Printer Operation and Maintenance:

• Manage and maintain 3D printers (primarily flexible filament FDM/FFF printing), ensuring consistent, high-quality output.
• Perform daily tasks such as removing completed prints, starting new jobs, and troubleshooting print issues.
• Conduct regular maintenance, including swapping parts and performing repairs when necessary.
• Install and configure new 3D printers and associated hardware/software

Quality Control and Metrics:

• Generate and track quality metrics for printed parts, including dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, and defect analysis.
• Analyze and interpret data to present actionable findings and improvements.
• Optimize measurement processes for material quality and create automated solutions to reduce manual intervention.

Process Development and Optimization:

• Work with the design and engineering team to integrate production findings into upstream printing processes.
• Contribute to the improvement of advanced machine learning models for process optimization
• Establish and refine processes for system performance, reliability, and scalability

Continuous Improvement:

• Strategize and implement plans to enhance system performance and develop scalable, repeatable workflows

Inventory and Logistics Management :

• Label, pack, ship and receive various parts and components

The Must-Haves

• Hands-on experience managing FDM / FFF 3D printers (calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, documentation)
• Knowledge of slicer software (think OrcaSlicer and Simplify3D).
• Experience in a production, manufacturing, or fabrication environment
• Time management - ability to manage your queue across overlapping jobs, machines and deadlines
• Adaptable - we're a rapidly growing team, and are looking for people who are willing to flex with us as we scale.
• Familiar with Excel and other tracking software to manage developments
• Familiar with product quality control processes and have an ability to assess finish quality, color, handfeel on completed prints.
• Strong organizational skills and an eye for detailed documentation
• Problem solving and critical thinking skills

The Nice-to-Haves

• Experience modifying FDM printers, or building them from scratch.
• Design and CAD software knowledge (or willingness to learn quickly)
• Knowledge of soft and flexible filament printing (TPU experience is a big plus)
• Awareness of new innovations in the 3D printing industry to inform new developments

Sounds fun, right?

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Moon Creative Lab is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, veteran or military status, unfavorable military discharge, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.