3D printing technician
3D printing technicians make different products, such as medical implants, car parts, aircraft parts or fashion accessories.
Typical Salary
£20,000 – £35,000
per year
Working Hours
37–42
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As a 3D printing technician you might:
- make digital models and prototypes based on a customer's needs
- operate 3D scanning and printing machines
- clean, sand, polish or apply finishes to products
- work out how much it will cost to create parts or products
- inspect products to check quality and pack them for delivery
- service and repair equipment
Skills needed
- knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- the ability to operate and control equipment
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to analyse quality or performance
- knowledge of maths
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
Career progression
With experience you could:
- move into researching new 3D materials
- train to develop new 3D printing software and hardware
- specialise in a certain area of 3D printing, such as prosthetics or models
- train others in 3D printing techniques and methods