Carbon Taps Veteran Innovator as CTO to Shape 3D Printing's Future

REDWOOD CITY, CA – February 16, 2026 – Additive manufacturing leader Carbon today signaled a powerful reinforcement of its core strategy, promoting one of its earliest and most influential innovators, Jason Rolland, Ph.D., to the role of Chief Technology Officer. The appointment of the 12-year company veteran, a polymer scientist by training and a key architect of Carbon's foundational technologies, underscores the company's commitment to materials science as the primary engine driving the future of 3D printing and mass production.

Rolland’s promotion is more than a leadership shuffle; it is a strategic affirmation of the company’s identity. In an industry where hardware and software often dominate the conversation, Carbon has consistently differentiated itself through its deep expertise in polymer chemistry. By placing a prolific inventor with over 60 issued U.S. patents at the helm of its R&D organization, Carbon is making a clear statement about its path forward: the next frontier of manufacturing will be won through material innovation.

The Architect of Carbon's Core Technology

Jason Rolland's history with Carbon is deeply intertwined with the company's most significant technological breakthroughs. Joining as one of the first employees, his journey began long before, earning his Ph.D. in 2005 under the guidance of Carbon co-founder Joseph DeSimone. This academic lineage provided a seamless transition into the startup, where Rolland was tasked with building the materials team from the ground up.

His most transformative contribution was the co-invention of Carbon's patented dual-cure resin platform. This technology was a watershed moment for the additive manufacturing industry, solving a critical weakness of earlier photopolymer-based printing methods. Traditional 3D-printed parts were often brittle and unsuitable for end-use applications, limiting their use primarily to prototyping. Carbon's dual-cure process, however, introduced a second, heat-activated curing stage. This allows for the creation of complex polymer networks that result in parts with isotropic mechanical properties—meaning they are equally strong in all directions, much like injection-molded parts.

This innovation, detailed in patents for technologies like "Continuous liquid interface production of 3D objects" and various polyurethane resins, unlocked a new world of applications. Suddenly, it was possible to print durable, resilient, and high-performance components ready for real-world use. From flexible elastomers to rigid, heat-resistant plastics, the dual-cure platform gave designers and engineers a vastly expanded toolbox. Rolland’s leadership was instrumental in launching the numerous groundbreaking resins that now form the backbone of Carbon's offerings and are responsible for many of its largest revenue-generating products.

A Strategic Bet on Internal Innovation

In a fast-paced tech landscape often characterized by external hiring for senior leadership, Carbon's decision to promote from within is a significant strategic choice. Elevating a long-tenured leader like Rolland ensures continuity of vision and preserves deep institutional knowledge. He is not just an executive but a foundational pillar of the company's inventive culture.

"I couldn't be more excited about having Jason in this role," said Phil DeSimone, Co-founder and CEO of Carbon, in the official announcement. "He has been a prolific innovator and leader since he joined Carbon in the early days... I am excited to have him lead Carbon's broader product development and R&D organization as we continue to lead the way in additive manufacturing technology and solutions."

This move sends a powerful message to the market and to the company's internal teams: expertise and long-term dedication are highly valued. Rolland's journey from the lab bench, where he developed the very materials that define the company, to the C-suite, where he will now steer its entire technological roadmap, embodies a culture of deep-seated innovation. This contrasts with competitors who may pivot strategy with new leadership, whereas Carbon is deliberately doubling down on the formula that has driven its success.

For Rolland, the new role is the culmination of over a decade of dedicated work. "I'm humbled and excited to take on this challenge," he stated. "I think additive manufacturing is critically important to building the next generation of products that impact our society, and I think Carbon is well positioned to lead this effort."

Materials as the Engine for Mass Production

Rolland’s expertise is directly responsible for enabling Carbon's shift from a prototyping technology to a true at-scale manufacturing platform. The company's high-profile partnerships are a testament to the performance of its materials in demanding, high-volume environments. Its collaboration with Adidas, for instance, has scaled to produce millions of 3D-printed footwear components, including the fully printed midsoles of the Climacool franchise. These complex lattice structures, which provide tuned cushioning and support, would be impossible to manufacture using traditional methods.

In the sports protection market, Carbon's technology is a dominant force. Top-tier football helmets from Riddell, CCM, and others use Carbon's 3D-printed pads for superior impact absorption. Helmets featuring this technology have consistently ranked #1 in NFL/NFLPA laboratory testing for six consecutive years, a clear indicator of material superiority. Similarly, in professional cycling, top brands like Fizik and Trek utilize Carbon for high-performance bike saddles that offer customized comfort and support, with a majority of top Tour de France riders reportedly using them.

These successes are fueled by continuous material and software advancements. The recent launch of the EPU Pro platform, a new family of elastomers using a novel single-part, dual-cure resin, promises improved performance, sustainability, and usability. Paired with software like the Carbon Design Engine, it allows for the creation of unique textures and tunable stiffness, opening doors for further mass customization. This relentless focus on improving the core material science is what allows Carbon's partners to not just design but manufacture the products of the future.

Navigating a Competitive and Evolving Landscape

As CTO, Rolland will navigate an additive manufacturing industry that is more competitive and dynamic than ever. The sector is rapidly advancing, with key trends focused on developing more sustainable, high-performance, and multi-functional materials. There is a growing demand for eco-friendly, bio-based, and recycled polymers, as well as for advanced materials like PEEK and PEKK that can withstand extreme environments in the aerospace and automotive industries.

Carbon's competitors, including industry giants like 3D Systems, Stratasys, and EOS, are also heavily invested in R&D, with leadership often composed of individuals with deep technical backgrounds. However, Carbon's distinct, materials-first approach, now championed by one of its original architects, provides a clear competitive advantage. Rolland's intimate knowledge of polymer science and photopolymerization positions the company to not only keep pace with these trends but to define them.

With his extensive patent portfolio and a proven track record of translating complex science into commercially successful products, Rolland is uniquely equipped to lead Carbon's next chapter. His leadership will be critical in pushing the boundaries of what is possible with 3D printing, ensuring that the company's hardware, software, and materials continue to evolve in concert to solve real-world manufacturing challenges and unlock new markets.