Is Lei Jun Bringing 3D Printing to Car Manufacturing? Xiaomi Auto Recruiting Metal 3D Printing Material Engineers

On March 7, 2025, Panda3dp.com discovered that Xiaomi Auto is actively recruiting Metal 3D Printing Material Process Engineers, with the position based in Shanghai. Could this mean that Xiaomi Auto is gearing up to integrate metal 3D printing technology into its production?  

△ The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra, priced at over 500,000 RMB, sold tens of thousands of units immediately upon release, causing a sensation across the internet. In response, Panda3dp.com generated an AI-rendered image of a "metal 3D-printed lattice-structured Xiaomi SU7 Ultra."  

Could Xiaomi Smartphones Adopt Metal 3D Printing First, with Xiaomi Autos Following Suit?  

At around 2 a.m. today, TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted that Xiaomi’s 2025 flagship smartphone, the 16 Pro, may feature a 3D-printed metal frame for the first time. The frame, manufactured by BLT (Bright Laser Technologies), would incorporate a hollow structure to strike a balance between structural strength and lightweight design while enhancing heat dissipation.  

△ Ming-Chi Kuo responded on X to Panda3DP.com (China’s 3D Printing Export Platform), stating:  

"Notably, this marks Xiaomi’s first use of a 3D-printed frame. Of course, uncertainties remain before anything materializes, but compared to the past, this decision represents a significant step forward."  

Just yesterday, Kuo also reported that Apple’s upcoming foldable iPhone would utilize titanium alloy 3D printing, leading to a surge in the stock prices of BLT and Farsoon Technologies, two publicly traded 3D printing companies.  

BLT has already become a key supplier for Apple’s foldable iPhone, providing titanium alloy hinge covers and midframes, both of which require 3D printing technology. Kuo noted that the ultra-thin hinge cover (just 0.15mm thick) and the midframe’s intricate lattice structure pose significant challenges for traditional CNC machining, making 3D printing the superior choice. BLT, leveraging Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology, successfully overcame these manufacturing hurdles.  

Currently, the sample price for these two components ranges between 800-900 RMB, with mass production expected to lower costs to 400-600 RMB. If the first-generation foldable iPhone achieves 20 million unit sales and BLT secures an 80% market share, the company’s revenue contribution for 2026-2027 could exceed 8 billion RMB—6.7 times its 2024 revenue of 1.2 billion RMB.  

Xiaomi’s Metal 3D Printing Job Postings  

△ Screenshot from Xiaomi’s recruitment page:  

"Bringing the beauty of technology to everyone worldwide"—truly resonating with Panda3dp.com’s vision.  

Panda3dp.com observed that prior to Apple’s official announcement of its metal 3D printing adoption, the company posted job openings for metal 3D printing engineers on January 23, 2025. This clearly reflects the growing trend of integrating metal 3D printing into consumer electronics. Notably, the base salary for such roles can reach up to $180,000 annually.  

Key Responsibilities:  

- Collaborate with internal teams and equipment suppliers to develop and optimize metal additive manufacturing processes and machinery.  

- Refine additive manufacturing techniques to meet Apple's aesthetic standards, dimensional accuracy, reliability, and production demands.  

- Utilize expertise in 3D printing systems and powder metallurgy to assist product design teams in developing specialized metal alloys for additive manufacturing.  

- Provide expert support to teams utilizing metal 3D printing, guiding projects from concept to mass production.  

- Establish industry-leading equipment and material qualification systems (DQ/IQ/OQ/PQ).  

The Promise of Metal 3D Printing in the Automotive Industry  

Metal 3D printing enhances structural integrity, lightweight performance, and heat dissipation through lattice-structured designs. Its successful application in the smartphone industry sets a precedent for its potential adoption in automotive manufacturing.  

Key advantages of metal 3D printing in automotive applications:  

- Lightweight construction: Reduces excess material via topology optimization, lowering vehicle weight and improving battery range.  

- Complex geometries: Enables the fabrication of intricate structures, such as heat dissipation channels, that are challenging to achieve through conventional manufacturing.  

- Customization: Supports tailored designs for premium vehicle components.  

Xiaomi Auto’s Recruitment for Metal Additive Manufacturing Engineers  

Position: Metal Additive Manufacturing Process Engineer  

Job Responsibilities:  

1. Conduct forward-looking research on new material technologies in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry to establish a competitive edge in material innovation.  

2. Optimize design structures and manufacturing processes for additive manufacturing components, defining material selection criteria, part design standards, and process guidelines.  

3. Develop powder material processing techniques and continuously refine performance to enhance product quality and production efficiency. Lead the development and trial production of new additive manufacturing powder grades.  

4. Drive the industrialization of metal additive manufacturing in automotive applications.  

Job Requirements:  

1. Master’s degree or higher, preferably in metal materials, powder metallurgy, or related fields.  

2. Proficiency in metal powder production, along with knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality control, and industry standards.  

3. Familiarity with the current state and trends in metal additive manufacturing, with expertise in metal materials, heat treatment, machinery, modeling, processing, and simulation technologies.  

4. Skilled in 3D-printed part structure design.  

5. Proficient in CAD software (UG, CATIA) and CAE simulation tools.  

Xiaomi Auto’s Potential Focus Areas for Metal 3D Printing  

Based on Xiaomi’s recruitment strategy, Panda3dp.com speculates that the company may prioritize the following aspects:  

- Material Development: Innovating new metal powders tailored for additive manufacturing, optimizing properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness.  

- Industrialization of Processes: Enhancing the efficiency of 3D printing for mass production, possibly by leveraging simulation technology to fine-tune printing parameters and improve yield rates.  

- Structural Innovation: Redesigning automotive components to align with additive manufacturing principles, such as lightweight battery brackets and suspension parts.  

Panda3dp.com believes that exciting developments are on the horizon.  

Xiaomi Auto’s latest recruitment drive signals that metal additive manufacturing may become a key pillar of its technological innovation strategy.  

While metal 3D printing in automotive manufacturing still faces hurdles such as high costs and slow production speeds, Xiaomi’s initiative suggests a multi-faceted approach to overcoming these challenges—spanning materials, processes, and equipment. Some analysts argue that widespread adoption of 3D printing does not require it to match traditional methods in efficiency. Instead, if the performance benefits and design innovations outweigh cost disadvantages, it will gain traction. Should Xiaomi achieve large-scale implementation of this technology, it could carve out a distinct competitive edge in the electric vehicle manufacturing space.  

Wishing Xiaomi’s 3D-printed smartphone frames great success! Wishing Xiaomi’s 3D-printed automobiles a phenomenal market performance!  

Best wishes to Lei Jun!  

Believing that great things are about to unfold!  

Sources: Apple Recruitment Website, Xiaomi Recruitment Website, Ming-Chi Kuo’s posts on X