Footwear Prototyping Lab Technician

Vibram Corporation; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Vibram Corporation’s Portland Studio is seeking a hands-on maker to support rapid prototyping, mold making, sample creation, and equipment operation in a fast-paced design environment.

You will work with designers and developers to translate concepts into functional prototypes, operate and maintain 3D printers, create molds and fixtures, and document processes to share learnings across teams, maintaining high accuracy and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Experience with 3D printing and additive manufacturing.
• Familiarity with mold making.
• Experience with CAD modeling using Rhino, Fusion 360, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Support rapid prototyping and sample creation for footwear soling, product development, testing, and exploratory concepts.
• Operate and maintain 3D printers; prepare, print, finish, and evaluate prototype components and tooling.
• Create molds, fixtures, jigs, and other prototype tooling using digital and hands-on fabrication methods.
• Support small-batch prototype molding and manufacturing processes within the Portland Studio.
• Collaborate with designers and developers to translate concepts into functional prototypes quickly and accurately.
• Troubleshoot fabrication, tooling, equipment, and prototype issues with limited oversight.
• Document prototype processes and share learnings with cross-functional teams.

Skills

3D printing

Additive manufacturing

CAD modeling

Problem solving

Collaboration

Tools

Rhino

Fusion 360

Mastercam

Job description

Vibram Corporation’s Portland Studio is seeking a hands-on maker to support rapid prototyping, mold making, sample creation, and equipment operation in a fast-paced design environment.

You will work with designers and developers to translate concepts into functional prototypes, operate and maintain 3D printers, create molds and fixtures, and document processes to share learnings across teams, maintaining high accuracy and safety standards.