Independent Contractor 3D Printer Design Jobs in Utah

Job Title: 3D Printing Lab Technician / Model Builder

Job Code: 39808

Job Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Job Schedule: 9/80 (employee's work 9 out of every 14 days - totaling 80 hours worked - and have every other Friday off)

Position Summary
We are seeking a highly skilled 3D Printing Lab Technician / Model Builder to lead day-to-day operations of our additive manufacturing lab and produce high-quality demonstration models, mockups, fixtures, and test assets that support engineering, manufacturing, and customer-facing activities. This role is ideal for a hands-on technical expert with exceptional CAD skills, strong mechanical aptitude, and deep experience with both polymer and metal additive processes.

This is not a product manufacturing role. Instead, the focus is on building accurate, realistic representative models and support hardware used in design reviews, manufacturing readiness reviews, demonstrations, fit checks, test activities, and related internal programs. The ideal candidate will combine strong digital modeling capability with practical lab execution, printer maintenance, and workload management.

Essential Functions:

• Run the daily operations of the 3D print lab, including managing print queues, setting priorities, and balancing scheduled work with walk-in demand
• Create, prepare, modify, and optimize CAD models for additive manufacturing, with Siemens NX preferred
• Produce high-quality demonstration items, representative product models, fixtures, mockups, and test support assets
• Support large model builds and complex print jobs from setup through post-processing and final delivery
• Select appropriate print methods, materials, orientations, support strategies, and finishing approaches based on intended use
• Operate additive systems across polymer and metal printing workflows, including setup, build monitoring, post-processing coordination, and quality checks
• Maintain high printer utilization while making sound decisions about schedule, urgency, and available machine capacity
• Perform routine printer maintenance and upkeep, troubleshoot issues, and coordinate with service contractors to minimize downtime
• Manage raw material inventory to ensure adequate stock levels, proper storage, rotation, and expiration control
• Track lab usage, machine health, and material needs to support efficient operations and planning
• Attend additive manufacturing conferences, monitor emerging technologies, and help develop capital requests for new printers, materials, and capabilities
• Help evaluate and bring new capabilities in-house, including multi-material printing, carbon fiber printing, and advanced metal printing options such as dual-alloy processes

Required Qualifications (one of the following):

• High school diploma, technical certification, associate degree, or equivalent hands-on experience in additive manufacturing, model making, fabrication, or a related field

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Exceptional CAD skills with experience creating accurate, production-quality 3D models; Siemens NX strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience with polymer additive manufacturing processes such as FDM, MJF, and DLS
• Familiarity with metal additive manufacturing, including aluminum printing workflows and handling considerations
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on problem-solving ability
• Experience producing realistic, high-quality physical models that accurately represent final products or assemblies
• Ability to manage multiple requests, shifting priorities, and a high-mix workload with minimal supervision
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and follow-through
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for working with engineering, manufacturing, and program teams
• Experience running or coordinating a shared additive manufacturing lab or model shop
• Experience with post-processing, finishing, assembly, and cosmetic improvement of printed parts and presentation models
• Experience creating fixtures, jigs, and other support hardware for engineering or manufacturing teams
• Exposure to additive technology scouting, vendor engagement, and capital equipment planning
• Familiarity with advanced or emerging additive capabilities such as continuous fiber reinforcement, multi-material systems, or dual-alloy metal printing

Work Environment and Additional Requirements:

• This role may require occasional evening or weekend work to support large builds, urgent requests, or maximize printer utilization
• The role involves hands-on work in a lab environment, including moving materials, working around equipment, and following established safety procedures for additive manufacturing operations

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