Laboratory Technician (3M CRPL Rapid Prototyping and Design Center)

3M Company; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 68,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

3M Center in Maplewood, MN seeks a Laboratory Technician to join the CRPL Rapid Prototyping and Design Center, bringing hands-on experience with printers and post-processing.

You will operate 3D printing equipment, support rapid prototyping for new products, and collaborate with internal customers to ensure fast turnaround while upholding safety and quality standards.

This full-time on-site role offers comprehensive pay and benefits and opportunities to grow within a global technology company.

Qualifications

• High school diploma/GED or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
• One (1) combined year of experience in a laboratory, manufacturing/production, and/or pilot plants in a private, public, government, or military environment
• Associate’s Degree
• Basic understanding of additive manufacturing processes such as FDM, SLS, and MJF
• Post-processing experience of different printing technology types
• Ability to set up, run, monitor, and shut down 3D printers safely
• Basic experience with CAD and slicing software
• Clear communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

• Operate a variety of 3D printing and other additive manufacturing equipment to rapidly create quality prototype parts to support 3M technology, new products, and manufacturing efforts
• Post-processing operation responsibility
• Collaborate with team to fulfill internal customer requests for part prototyping with rapid turnaround time

Skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate’s Degree

Tools

CAD

Slicing software

Additive manufacturing

Job description

Job Description:

Laboratory Technician (3M CRPL Rapid Prototyping and Design Center)

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Laboratory Technician within the Rapid Prototyping and Design Center of the Corporate Research Process Laboratory (CRPL), you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Advancing the mission of the 3M Rapid Prototyping and Design Center within 3M CRPL
• Operating a variety of 3D printing and other additive manufacturing equipment to rapidly create quality prototype parts to support 3M technology, new products, and manufacturing efforts
• Responsibility for the post-processing operation
• Collaborating with other members of the team to fulfill a wide range of 3M internal customer requests for part prototyping, with rapid turnaround time

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• High school diploma/GED or higher (completed and verified prior to start)
• One (1) combined year of experience in a laboratory, manufacturing/production, and/or pilot plants in a private, public, government, or military environment

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Associate’s Degree
• Basic understanding of additive manufacturing processes such as FDM, SLS, and MJF
• Post-processing experience of different printing technology types
• Ability to set up, run, monitor, and shut down 3D printers safely
• Basic experience with CAD and slicing software
• Clear communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Work location: This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work five days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, MN.

Travel: May include up to 5% domestic or international

Relocation Assistance: Is not authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life — both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only: The expected compensation range for this position is $67,593 – $82,614, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 10/13/2026 To 11/12/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.