3D Printing Designer and Technician (Contract , Palo Alto)

Moon Creative Lab•Palo Alto, CA

11h•$30 - $45

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented 3D Printing Designer and Technician to join Moon’s flagship ventures focused on the Future of Sustainable Fashion. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in 3D design and printing technologies, hands-on technical experience with equipment, and the ability to manage end-to-end processes from concept development to production.

Requirements

3+ years of practical working experience in 3D design and printing, with consultancy experience as a major plus.
Strong proficiency with 3D design software (e.g., Rhino preferred) and 3D printing slicer programs (Simplify3D preferred).
Advanced skills in Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator.
Proven ability to design for production, moving designs from concept to scaled manufacturing.
Hands-on experience with FDM/FFF printers and flexible filament printing techniques.
Technical expertise in troubleshooting, diagnosing, and resolving hardware and software issues.
Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage data, interpret results, and present key findings.
Excellent verbal and visual communication skills to convey design concepts and technical details effectively.

Nice To Haves

Experience in automation of manufacturing and testing processes.
Familiarity with advanced materials research and circular production techniques.
Knowledge of machine learning integration in manufacturing workflows.
Background in developing procedures to improve material quality and production efficiency.
A hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to take ownership of tasks.
Passion for innovation and continuous learning in 3D printing technologies.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality results.

Responsibilities

3D Design and Prototyping:
Create and develop 3D models from product designs and concepts, including translating 2D assets (e.g., Illustrator files) into 3D models.
Collaborate with design and development teams to conceptualize, sketch, and communicate 3D print ideas effectively.
Ensure designs meet production requirements and scalability goals, moving beyond prototypes to full production.
3D Printer Operation and Maintenance:
Manage and maintain 3D printers (primarily FDM/FFF), ensuring consistent, high-quality output, including flexible filament printing.
Perform daily tasks such as removing completed prints, starting new jobs, and troubleshooting print issues.
Conduct regular maintenance, including swapping parts, firmware updates, 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 process development team to integrate material 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.
Drive innovation in materials, machinery, and systems for circular and sustainable production solutions.