Additive Manufacturing Technician III

Frontdoor Defense; Indianapolis, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Frontdoor Defense seeks an experienced Additive Manufacturing Technician III to lead end-to-end builds on industrial FFF/FDM printers in Indianapolis, IN. You will own file prep, machine setup, post-processing, inspection, and documentation, while driving process improvements and scale as capacity grows.

You will also install and commission new machines, perform preventive maintenance, train others, and ensure adherence to approved processes.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on experience in manufacturing/AM production.
• Experience running industrial FFF/FDM printers.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and apply GD&T.
• Familiarity with slicers and build-prep software.
• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Set up and run industrial FFF/FDM printers and pre-build checks.
• Plan builds and sequence across printer fleet to maintain schedule.
• Install, commission, and bring-up new printers and methods.
• Perform preventive maintenance and calibration of printers.
• Inspect parts and verify against drawings and specifications.
• Lead root cause analysis and document corrective actions.
• Train team members and develop repeatable processes.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Reading drawings

Slicing software

Communication

Equipment maintenance

Train others

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in engineering/tech related field

5+ years hands-on AM experience

Tools

OEM slicers

Simplify3D

PrusaSlicer

Materialise Magics

Job description

Additive Manufacturing Technician III

Lead deployment of additional AM printers and scale production with documented processes

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Compensation: $34 - 52 USD / hour

About The Role

Additive Manufacturing Technician III

We are seeking an experienced Additive Manufacturing Technician III to join our AM production team. Today our work centers on industrial FFF/FDM printing with engineering-grade and carbon-reinforced filaments, including Lyten's own materials.

You will own builds end to end, from file prep and machine setup through post-processing, part inspection, and verification against drawings and specifications. When a build fails or a machine goes down, you are the first person the team turns to: you will work on the problem, lead root cause analysis with engineering and quality, and document what happened and how it was fixed.

You will also keep the printer fleet running through preventive maintenance and calibration, install and commission new machines as we add capability, train team members, and turn hard-won shop-floor knowledge into documented, repeatable processes as we scale.

Please note: This is a hands‑on, on‑site role. We are seeking candidates with production experience on industrial or production‑grade printers, rather than hobby or desktop printing alone.

Key Responsibilities

• Build Execution:
  • Set up and run industrial FFF/FDM printers, including bed preparation, nozzle and hotend changes, material loading, and pre-build checks.
  • Prepare and verify build files with engineering using slicing and build‑prep software (e.g., OEM slicers, Simplify3D, PrusaSlicer, or Materialise Magics), confirming orientation, supports, infill, and process settings match the approved process.
  • Monitor builds, diagnose print defects (e.g., warping, layer separation, under‑extrusion, clogs), and adjust settings within approved limits; elevate anything outside them.
  • Plan and sequence builds across the printer fleet to keep production on schedule.
• Machine Installation & Bring‑Up:
  • Install, set up, and commission new machines, from additional FFF printers to new methods such as MJF, SLS, LPBF/DMLS, and pellet extrusion, and verify they meet acceptance criteria before release to production.
  • Help evaluate new equipment and work with OEMs on site requirements, installation, and training.
  • Run test and qualification builds with engineering, record the results, and turn them into work instructions and maintenance plans.
  • Become the go‑to operator and trainer for each new process as it comes in.
• Maintenance & Calibration:
  • Own daily, weekly, and scheduled preventive maintenance on printers and support equipment (e.g., filament dryers, heated chambers, support‑removal tanks, finishing stations).
  • Calibrate printers on a set schedule and after repairs or moves, including bed leveling, extrusion and flow, axis, and temperature calibration, and keep calibration records current.
  • Diagnose and fix mechanical, electrical, thermal, and firmware issues, including extruder, hotend, motion system, and heater faults, and partner with OEM service on complex repairs.
  • Track machine uptime and recurring failures and recommend changes that improve availability.
• Materials Management:
  • Manage material inventory with lot traceability, including drying, moisture control, and sealed storage for hygroscopic engineering filaments.
  • Keep consumables stocked (nozzles, build surfaces, support material, desiccant) and flag shortages before they affect production.
  • As powder and pellet methods come online, set up and follow lot control, sieving, and reuse tracking for those materials.
• Post‑Processing:
  • Remove supports, sand, drill, tap, install threaded inserts, and finish parts to drawing requirements.
  • Prepare parts for downstream bonding, coating, composite work, and assembly.
  • As new methods are added, take on their post‑processing steps, such as depowdering and media blasting for powder‑bed polymers, or part removal and heat treatment for metal.
• Inspection, Verification & Documentation:
  • Inspect parts using calipers, micrometers, height gauges, pin gauges, and visual standards, and record results on travelers and build records.
  • Verify finished parts and first articles against drawings and specifications before release, including dimensional, visual, and fit checks.
  • Lead root cause analysis on failed builds, part defects, and equipment problems using structured methods (e.g., 5 Whys, fishbone, 8D), and confirm that corrective actions work.
  • Keep complete build documentation so every part that goes on a car can be traced; open nonconformance reports and support disposition.
  • Follow our quality system and help strengthen it as production grows.
• Technical Leadership & Continuous Improvement:
  • Train and mentor staff and sign off on their task proficiency.
  • Write and revise work instructions, maintenance procedures, and checklists.
  • Collect build and machine data that supports process development, qualification builds, and root cause investigations.
  • Take an active part in Lean, 5S, and safety improvement work.
• Safety:
  • Work safely around heated equipment, printer emissions, and the chemicals used in support removal and finishing, using ventilation and PPE as required.
  • As powder‑based and metal systems come online, train on and follow safe powder handling, including combustible metal powder practices (e.g., NFPA 484), grounding, inert handling, and respiratory protection.
  • Set the example for a stop‑and‑ask safety culture on the team.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience:
  • High school diploma or GED with 5+ years of hands‑on experience in manufacturing, prototyping, or technical production, including at least 3 years running and maintaining industrial or production‑grade FFF/FDM printers; OR Associate degree in manufacturing, mechanical, or engineering technology (or a related technical field) with 4+ years of hands‑on experience running and maintaining industrial or production‑grade FFF/FDM printers OR Bachelor's degree (unrelated field) AND 3+ years of relevant experience in fast growth manufacturing or machining environment, data entry, or a related area
• Troubleshooting: A proven track record of troubleshooting printers independently and getting them back into production.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Solid knowledge of engineering thermoplastics and reinforced filaments (e.g., nylon, PC, PEI, PEEK/PEKK, carbon‑fiber‑filled materials), including drying and print‑setting tuning.
  • Ability to read engineering drawings and basic GD&T, and skill with precision measuring instruments.
  • Comfort with slicing and build‑prep software, Microsoft Office, and ERP or MES systems for production records.
• Communication: Clear communicator with the patience to train others and write procedures people can actually follow.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with other AM methods, especially MJF, SLS, LPBF/DMLS, or large‑format pellet extrusion.
• Experience on industrial FFF platforms such as Stratasys, Markforged, BigRep, or similar production systems.
• Post‑processing experience with CNC machining, structural adhesives and bonding, or composites.
• Background in motorsport, aerospace, or other high‑performance manufacturing.
• Basic CAD skills (e.g., SolidWorks, Fusion) for fixtures and minor part edits.
• SME additive manufacturing certification or OEM operator and maintenance certificates.
• Forklift certification.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry up to 50 lbs (e.g., material spools, powder containers, fixtures).