Fabrication Manager

Museums Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 91,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Museums Victoria invites applications for a Fabrication Manager to lead the Fabrication unit in Melbourne, combining hands-on joinery expertise with team leadership to deliver safe, high-quality exhibition structures and installations.

You will oversee CNC programming (SCM Maestro), manage workshop budgets and schedules, ensure safe practices, and mentor a skilled team in a dynamic museum environment. MV emphasizes safety, inclusion, and professional development.

Qualifications

• Recognised trade qualification in joinery, cabinet making or carpentry or substantial equivalent experience.
• Hands-on experience in bespoke joinery, cabinet making, fabrication, assembly, finishing and installation.
• Experience leading a joinery or cabinet-making fabrication team with staff development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Fabrication team’s daily work, performance and development while undertaking fabrication tasks.
• Provide specialist advice on construction methods, materials, feasibility and installation requirements.
• Oversee fabrication, assembly, finishing and installation of exhibition joinery and structures.
• Program, setup and operate CNC equipment; oversee machining with safety and capability development.
• Manage workshop operations, budgets, schedules, capacity, equipment and materials to ensure timely, safe delivery.

Skills

Joinery and cabinet making

CNC programming

Team leadership

Safety practices

Budget management

Education

Trade qualification in joinery/cabinet making/carpentry

Tools

SCM Maestro

Job description

Ever dreamed of working in a place where dinosaurs roam, stars explode, and the world’s most intriguing stories come to life? Welcome to Museums Victoria (MV)—where every day is a new opportunity to create unforgettable experiences. As one of the southern hemisphere’s largest and most iconic museum organisations, we’re not just about exhibits; we’re about engaging, immersive moments that spark curiosity, creativity, and connection.

Home to the awe-inspiring Melbourne Museum, the culturally rich Immigration Museum, the mind-expanding Scienceworks, and the World Heritage–listed Royal Exhibition Building, MV is a place where exhibitions transform spaces and stories into something truly unmissable. Join a passionate team that brings ideas to life and makes discovery part of everyday experience.

ABOUT THE POSITION:

The Fabrication Manager leads the Fabrication unit and workshop, combining hands-on specialist joinery and cabinet-making expertise with team leadership to deliver safe, functional and high-quality exhibition structures and installations. The role ensures fabrication and installation work is completed to agreed specifications, schedules and budgets through sound construction methods, quality workmanship and effective use of staff, materials and equipment.

Some of the key duties include:

• Lead the daily work, performance and development of the Fabrication team while actively undertaking fabrication and installation work.
• Provide specialist technical advice on construction methods, materials, feasibility and installation requirements for exhibition projects.
• Undertake and oversee the fabrication, assembly, finishing and installation of exhibition joinery, cabinetry and associated structures.
• Program, set up and operate CNC equipment, overseeing safe use and developing team capability.
• Manage workshop operations, budgets, schedules, capacity, equipment and materials to support safe, timely and cost-effective delivery.

The successful applicant will have:

• A recognised trade qualification in joinery, cabinet making or carpentry, or another relevant trade qualification supported by substantial equivalent experience.
• Substantial hands-on experience in bespoke joinery and cabinet making, including fabrication, assembly, finishing and installation.
• Demonstrated experience leading a joinery, cabinet-making or comparable fabrication team, including work allocation, performance management and staff development.
• Experience in CNC programming (preferably with SCM Maestro software), setup and operation, with the ability to oversee machining processes and develop others in safe and effective equipment use.
• Sound knowledge and demonstrated application of safe work practices in workshops and during site installation.

OTHER INFORMATION

This is an ongoing, full-time position. The salary on offer is Grade 4, Value Range 1, base of grade – $100,894 per annum + 12% superannuation.

OUR COMMITMENT

Museums Victoria is strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We create and maintain a child safe environment and have zero tolerance for child abuse. The successful applicant will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check and a Working with Children Check, and be assessed as suitable.

Museums Victoria is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate all communities. Museums Victoria is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels they belong. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and people of all ages, gender identities and sexual orientations.

We are committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. If you require adjustments or support to participate, please contact Job at ***@museum.vic.gov.au.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 30 October 2026 (11:59pm)