Job Description

3D Printer Technician

Location: New Orleans, LA - Onsite

Studio: Swaybox Studios

Department: DigiFab / Production

Reports To: DigiFab Supervisor, Creative Tech HOD

Employment Type: Full time

Job Summary:

Swaybox Studios is seeking a meticulous and mechanically inclined 3D Printer Technician to join our groundbreaking DigiFab team. This hands-on role is responsible for operating, maintaining, and optimizing the studio’s 3D printing systems to deliver high-quality, fabrication-ready assets for our hybrid animation and VFX productions.

As part of our innovative digital-to-physical pipeline , you will work closely with modelers, fabricators, and production leads to ensure that all 3D printed components meet the creative and technical demands of each project—from puppet elements to intricate props.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operate and maintain 3D printers (resin and FDM), ensuring consistent and high-quality output.
• Prepare files for printing by reviewing, cleaning, and slicing models using software such as PreForm, Chitubox, or Cura .
• Calibrate machines and perform routine maintenance including bed leveling, resin changes, part removal, and hardware troubleshooting.
• Post-process prints (washing, curing, sanding, assembling, and finishing) as needed for production use.
• Track and manage print jobs, materials, failures, and machine logs to keep production running smoothly and on schedule.
• Collaborate with the DigiFab and CG teams to ensure model printability, scale accuracy, and material suitability.
• Stay current with evolving 3D printing technologies , materials, and best practices to contribute to pipeline innovation.
• Assist with managing the studio’s inventory of filament, resin, hardware parts, and cleaning supplies.

Required Qualifications:

• 2+ years of hands-on experience operating and maintaining 3D printers in a professional or production setting.
• Proficiency in preparing models for print using slicing software (e.g., PreForm, Lychee, Cura, Chitubox ).
• Understanding of printing materials , mechanical tolerances, support generation, and proper part orientation.
• Experience with post-processing techniques including curing, sanding, gluing, and painting.
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills, with the ability to multitask across multiple machines and tasks.
• Clear and proactive communicator who can work both independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with ZBrush or Maya to assist in minor model adjustments or troubleshooting print issues.
• Experience with resin printers (SLA/DLP) and FDM printers in a production pipeline.
• Knowledge of mechanical assembly or basic electronics is a plus.
• Previous experience in stop-motion , puppetry , practical effects , or similar creative production environments is advantageous.
• Working knowledge of inventory or lab management systems.

Why Join Swaybox Studios?

At Swaybox Studios , we’re redefining storytelling through our fusion of Digital Puppetry (Digi-Pup) and physical fabrication workflows . As a 3D Printer Technician , you’ll be part of the behind-the-scenes magic—bringing innovative, story-driven characters and worlds to life in both digital and tangible form. Your expertise will support major new projects, including an exciting collaboration with DC Comics that pushes the boundaries of what animation and VFX can be.

If you’re passionate about 3D printing, love problem-solving in a creative environment, and want to help build something truly original, we’d love to hear from you.

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