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3D Print Farm Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Operations Lab Lead

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Ensure all machines are clean, lubricated, and safe for use. * 3D Printer Farm & Clean Lab Management: Oversee a high-throughput additive manufacturing suite, including an FDM printer farm, SLA ...

Senior Product Designer

San Francisco, CA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As the most awarded design manufacturer in America, we operate the world's largest 3D print farm right here in the Bay Area. We're seeking a visionary Lead Designer to elevate our digital and graphic ...

Social Media Manager (SF/LA/NYC)

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site +1

$145K - $170K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As the most awarded design manufacturer in America, we operate the world's largest 3D print farm right here in the Bay Area. Role We're looking for a Social Media Manager who combines deep platform ...

As the most awarded design manufacturer in America, we operate the world's largest 3D print farm right here in the Bay Area. Role We're looking for a Social Media Manager who combines deep platform ...

Social Media Manager (SF/LA/NYC)

San Francisco, CA

$145K - $170K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As the most awarded design manufacturer in America, we operate the world's largest 3D print farm right here in the Bay Area. Role We're looking for a Social Media Manager who combines deep platform ...

You'll be the face of Polymaker to the accounts that keep our material flowing into print farms ... If you've done that in materials, coatings, components, MRO, or 3D printing, you'll feel right at ...

You'll be the face of Polymaker to the accounts that keep our material flowing into print farms ... If you've done that in materials, coatings, components, MRO, or 3D printing, you'll feel right at ...

Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer

San Leandro, CA ยท On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We operate one of the world's largest production 3D printing farms for consumer lighting and are transforming a highly manual manufacturing process into a scalable, process-driven advanced ...

Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer

San Leandro, CA

$117K - $152K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We operate one of the world's largest production 3D printing farms for consumer lighting and are transforming a highly manual manufacturing process into a scalable, process-driven advanced ...

Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer

San Leandro, CA ยท On-site

$117K - $152K/yr

We operate one of the world's largest production 3D printing farms for consumer lighting and are transforming a highly manual manufacturing process into a scalable, process-driven advanced ...

Orchestrate the Farm: Automate and streamline our 3D printer farm to scale the production of the most advanced helmets on Earth. * The Lifeblood (ERP): Integrate and evolve the ERP system that ...

Mechanical Engineering Intern

La Grange, KY ยท On-site

$17.75 - $23.75/hr

We maintain an on-site 3D printer farm for prototyping and short-run manufacturing. If you don't have prior experience with 3D printing, please bring a desire to learn (will train as needed)

Showing results 21-40

3D Print Farm information

What is a 3D print farm?

A 3D print farm is a facility or setup that consists of multiple 3D printers working simultaneously to produce parts or products efficiently and at scale. These farms can range from small collections of desktop printers to large industrial operations with dozens or even hundreds of machines. 3D print farms are often used for rapid prototyping, on-demand manufacturing, and fulfilling bulk orders, making them popular in industries like prototyping, manufacturing, and e-commerce. By automating and managing multiple printers, a print farm can significantly increase output while reducing labor costs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 3D print farm operator?

To thrive as a 3D Print Farm Operator, you need strong knowledge of 3D printing technologies, machine maintenance, and experience with CAD software or slicer programs, often supported by technical training or certification in additive manufacturing. Familiarity with printer management platforms, troubleshooting tools, and materials handling systems is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for ensuring print quality and coordinating with team members. These skills enable efficient production workflows, minimize downtime, and maintain consistent output in a high-volume 3D printing environment.

What are some common challenges faced when managing a 3D print farm, and how can they be addressed?

Managing a 3D print farm often involves coordinating multiple printers, tracking print jobs, and maintaining print quality across all machines. Common challenges include minimizing printer downtime, handling print failures, and optimizing workflow to meet tight deadlines. Effective solutions include implementing reliable scheduling software, establishing clear maintenance routines, and fostering strong communication within the team to quickly address issues. Staying organized and proactive helps ensure smooth operations and high productivity in a 3D print farm environment.

What is the difference between 3D Print Farm vs 3D Printing Technician?

Aspect3D Print Farm3D Printing Technician
CredentialsOften requires knowledge of multiple 3D printers and basic technical skillsTypically needs certification or training in 3D printing technology
Work EnvironmentOperates multiple printers in a production or industrial settingWorks on individual printers, often in labs or workshops
Industry UsageUsed for large-scale or high-volume productionFocuses on setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of 3D printers

The main difference is that a 3D Print Farm manages multiple 3D printers for production, while a 3D Printing Technician focuses on operating and maintaining individual printers. The 3D Print Farm requires broader coordination skills, whereas the technician role emphasizes technical troubleshooting and setup.

Is a 3D print farm worth it?

A 3D print farm can be worth it for jobs involving large-scale or high-volume 3D printing, as it allows for increased productivity and automation. Success depends on factors like equipment costs, maintenance, and the ability to manage multiple printers efficiently, often requiring skills in troubleshooting and workflow optimization.
More about 3D Print Farm jobs

What cities are hiring for 3D Print Farm jobs?

Cities with the most 3D Print Farm job openings:

What states have the most 3D Print Farm jobs?

States with the most job openings for 3D Print Farm jobs include:

Infographic showing various 3D Print Farm job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Mechanical Operations Lab Lead

Etched

San Jose, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

About Etched
Etched is building hardware for frontier intelligence. We co-design chips, racks, software, and manufacturing to deliver best-in-class throughput and latency across both prefill and decode workloads. Our first products are heavily focused on inference. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history.
Job Summary
Etched is looking for a Mechanical Lab Operations Lead to own the day-to-day operational backbone of our R&D and prototyping facility. This is a highly cross-functional, hands-on role responsible for everything required to keep a hybrid clean/dirty mechanical lab running seamlessly. You will manage a diverse footprint that spans a traditional machine shop, an advanced additive manufacturing and post- eprocessing facility, a high-precision inspection area, and a large-scale inventory/rack build space.
Reporting to the Head of Lab Operations, you will be the ultimate custodian of lab safety, machine uptime, asset tracking, and space workflow. You will partner directly with mechanical, thermal, and hardware validation engineers across multiple product lines to triage fabrication requests, manage material pipelines, enforce EH&S compliance, and maintain an environment where engineering can move at lightning speed without sacrificing organization or safety.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lab Operations & Machine Maintenance
    • Machine Shop Ownership: Supervise and maintain machine shop equipment, including manual/CNC mills, lathes, drill presses, band saws, chop saws, sheet metal brakes, and associated tooling. Ensure all machines are clean, lubricated, and safe for use.
    • 3D Printer Farm & Clean Lab Management: Oversee a high-throughput additive manufacturing suite, including an FDM printer farm, SLA systems, and Nylon SLS/FDM printers. Manage post-processing infrastructure, including bead blasters, compressors, fume hoods, and specialized ventilation equipment.
    • Equipment Commissioning & Calibration: Receive, position, and stand up incoming lab machinery. Maintain strict calibration and preventative maintenance schedules for precision instruments, including an Instron universal testing machine, microscopes, and granite surface inspection tables.
    • Vendor & Contractor Relations: Serve as the primary point of contact for equipment manufacturers, tooling suppliers, and external maintenance technicians.
  • Safety, EH&S, & Environment Control
    • Enforce Shop Safety: Establish and enforce strict lab safety protocols, including machine guarding, personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance, and proper tool-use certifications for engineering staff.
    • Hazardous Materials & Ventilation: Manage chemical, resin, and consumable inventories; ensure proper storage, safety data sheet (SDS) logging, and compliant hazardous waste disposal (resins, solvents, nylon powders).
    • Facilities Coordination: Partner with site services to manage lab infrastructure needs, including dedicated electrical drops, compressed air lines, exhaust systems, and facility chillers/PSUs.
  • Inventory, Logistics, & Space Management
    • Inventory System Ownership: Keep real-time counts of raw stock (aluminum, plastics), fasteners, structural components, cables, hoses, and project-specific storage.
    • Rack Build & Assembly Logistics: Optimize the workflow of a dedicated Rack Build Area. Coordinate the intake of heavy infrastructure components and ensure staging areas are clear and organized for active engineering builds.
    • Procurement Workflows: Proactively flag low-stock items and manage end-to-end procurement for lab shop consumables (endmills, blades, 3D printer filaments/resins, hardware).
  • Request Triage & Engineering Support
    • Workflow Triage: Define and run an intake process for engineering fabrication, 3D printing, and assembly requests, ensuring clear prioritization across multiple parallel projects.
    • Layout Optimization: Continuously evaluate the physical workflow of the lab - refining the footprint of workbenches, tool chests, and storage racks to eliminate bottlenecks and optimize throughput.

You may be a good fit if you have (Must-have qualifications)
  • Experience: 5+ years of experience managing a mechanical lab, machine shop, prototyping facility, or hardware R&D space.
  • Machine Proficiency: Hands-on operational familiarity with manual machine shop tools (mills, lathes, saws, brakes) and safety requirements.
  • Additive Manufacturing Depth: Practical experience operating and maintaining a fleet of modern 3D printers (FDM, SLA, and Nylon/SLS processes) and post-processing equipment.
  • Operational Rigor: Proven ability to build and scale organization systems - such as inventory asset management software, 5S cleanliness methodologies, or request tracking queues - from the ground up.
  • Safety Leadership: Deep working knowledge of OSHA standards, shop safety procedures, PPE enforcement, and EH&S compliance regarding chemicals and particulate filtration.
  • Physical Capability: Ability to operate in a standing shop environment, handle physical tools, and lift/move heavy lab inventory or equipment setups when necessary.

Strong candidates may also have experience with (Nice-to-have qualifications)
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, or a related technical field (equivalent deep hands-on shop experience is highly valued).
  • Advanced Machining: Experience with CNC programming (CAM), precision laser cutter operation, or custom fixture fabrication.
  • Thermal/Fluid Systems: Familiarity with heavy hardware infrastructure support, including liquid cooling loops, facility chillers, manifold systems, and power distribution units (PSUs).
  • Startup Agility: Past experience at a fast-paced hardware startup where lab spaces and operational processes had to be built out dynamically.
  • Software Familiarity: Experience using project management tools (Jira, spreadsheets) and basic CAD/slicing software to review engineering files for fabricability.

Benefits
  • Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage
    • $500 per month credit for waiving medical benefits
  • Housing subsidy of $2k per month for those living within walking distance of the office
  • Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row)
  • Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and more
  • Daily lunch and dinner in our office
  • Unlimited compute budget subject to ROI justification

How we're different
Etched believes in the Bitter Lesson. We are the first inference-focused frontier AI system. Our addressable market is the entirety of inference, unlike many of our competitors.
We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row), and greatly value engineering skills. We do not have boundaries between engineering and research, and we expect all of our technical staff to contribute to both and work across disciplines as needed.