Additive Design Technician

Strategic HR Client Job Openings•Falls Church, VA

1d•$22 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Additive Design Technician works at the center of the design and production process, operating and maintaining large-format robotic and FDM 3D printers, preparing print jobs, post-processing parts, and ensuring the quality of produced components. Reporting to the Design Director, the technician works closely with design and engineering teams to translate design intent into finished, manufacturable products. The role supports a growing production operation at Formative 3D, a 3D-printing startup developing component-based furniture systems.

Requirements

Three years of experience in additive manufacturing, FDM printing, or a related production environment such as woodworking, metalworking, aerospace, CNC, a model shop, or prototyping.
Comfort operating hand tools, power tools, and fabrication equipment.
Experience with networked, PC-based computer systems, including Microsoft Office and ERP systems.
Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on problem-solving skills.
Understanding of industrial design principles and how form, function, materials, and manufacturability come together in a finished product.
Comfort working in a fast-paced startup environment.
Detail-oriented, dependable, and committed to quality and safety.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with PrusaSlicer and 3D modeling in Fusion 360.
A background in industrial design, product design, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Operate, monitor, and maintain large-format robotic and FDM 3D printers for component-based production.
Prepare 3D models in PrusaSlicer and other software, optimizing print settings, orientation, and toolpaths to balance surface finish, strength, and cycle time.
Schedule and queue jobs across a fleet of printers to support continuous output and meet production demand.
Manage pellet and filament inventory; load materials such as PLA and PETG; and track material utilization and print cycle times.
Harvest and post-process printed parts through support removal, cleaning, sanding, and finishing.
Assemble modular furniture components and verify fit, tolerances, connections, surface quality, color consistency, craftsmanship, and alignment with design intent.
Troubleshoot printer issues and perform routine maintenance and calibration.
Support rapid prototyping and design iterations by producing test prints, samples, and mockups, and evaluating new materials, colors, and finishes.
Maintain a sample library and fabricate jigs, fixtures, and other shop equipment as needed.
Document production data, maintain a clean and safe workspace, and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
Collaborate with design and engineering teams to improve print quality, production efficiency, manufacturability, and the finished product.