Patination and Finishing Technician

Cox London; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

31 days holiday

Pension

Cycle to Work Scheme

Training and Development opportunities

Sick Pay

Job summary

Cox Workshops Ltd in London is seeking a Patination & Colour Finishing Technician to join our creative finishing team. This full‑time, workshop‑based role focuses on developing and applying hand‑applied colour finishes, patinas and surface treatments for bespoke interior pieces.

You’ll work closely with designers and makers to interpret references and briefs, delivering nuanced, layered finishes that meet high standards of craftsmanship and finish quality in a collaborative studio environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in patination, decorative metal finishing or colour-led surfaces.
• Strong understanding of hand-applied colour finishes, layering and tonal variation.
• Excellent visual judgement for colour, texture and surface detail.
• Ability to work accurately from samples, references and briefs.
• Collaborative approach within a workshop environment.
• Awareness and implementation of Health & Safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Developing and applying bespoke patinas and hand‑finished colour surfaces on wood, metal, glass and plaster.
• Using hot and cold patination processes to achieve varied visual effects.
• Lacquering, distressing and finishing surfaces to meet specifications.
• Creating and refining finish samples for approval and production.
• Collaborating with production and design teams to realise creative intent.
• Maintaining a clean, safe, and well‑organised finishing workspace.
• Upholding company standards of craftsmanship, quality and consistency.

Skills

Patination

Decorative finishes

Colour surfaces

Visual judgment

From samples

Collaborative

Health & Safety

Bespoke furniture

Applied arts background

Education

BA/BS in Fine Art or Design

Certificate in metal finishing

Time served in hand-painted finishes

BA in Production Arts/Set Design

Job description

Company: Cox Workshops Ltd
Location: London N17 9QU
Hours: 40 hrs per week / Full Time / Permanent

Cox London areartisanalmakers of unique sculptural lighting, furniture, and artworks of the highest calibre. We are commissioned by celebrated interior decorators, collectors and discerning private individuals worldwide, and work with a deep respect for materials and traditional craftsmanship, resulting in sculptural works that are as functional as they are poetic.

The Job

We are seeking a Patination & Colour Finishing Technician to join our creative finishing team. This full‑time, workshop‑based role centres on the development and application of hand‑applied colour finishes, patinas and surface treatments for bespoke interior pieces.This is a creative, hands‑on role focused on developing and applying patinated and hand‑finished colour surfaces for high‑end furniture and lighting.Working within a collaborative London workshop studio, you will use visual judgement, material knowledge and specialist finishing techniques to create distinctive, design‑led surfaces.

Working closely with designers, makers and production colleagues, you will interpret visual references, samples and creative briefs to achieve nuanced, layered and expressive finishes. This role is ideal for a colour‑led finisher who enjoys combining technical skill with artistic judgement, and who takes pride in producing work of exceptional quality.

You will be part of a supportive studio environment where craftsmanship, experimentation and learning are valued.

Role Requirements

• Proven experience in patination, decorative metal finishing or colour‑led surface work
• Strong understanding of hand‑applied colour finishes, layering and tonal variation
• Excellent visual judgement with an eye for colour, texture and surface detail
• Ability to work accurately from samples, references and creative briefs
• A collaborative, adaptable approach within a workshop or studio environment
• Strong awareness and implementation of Health & Safety practices
• Experience working on bespoke furniture, lighting or interior pieces
• Background in applied arts, decorative finishing or similar craft discipline

Key Responsibilities

• Developing and applying bespoke patinas and hand‑finished colour surfaces onwood,metal, glass and plaster
• Working with hot and cold patination processes to achieve a range of visual effects
• Lacquering, distressing and finishing surfaces to meet creative and technical specifications
• Creating and refining finish samples for approval and production
• Working collaboratively with production and design teams to realise creative intent
• Maintaining a clean, safe and well‑organised finishing workspace
• Upholding company standards of craftsmanship, quality and consistency

Skills and Behaviours (essential)

• Collaborative, able to work supportively in a team
• Share learning openly so others can grow
• Considers other perspectives, pressures and needs with care and clarity
• Elevates outcomes by experimenting, refining and finding better ways
• Combine intuition, craft knowledge and data to make decisions
• Deliver consistently and own responsibilities end‑to‑end
• Anticipates risks early and address them proactively
• Able to draw on collective wisdom by asking for input when needed
• Attention to detailwith aneye for formcolourand design
• The ability to meet targets and deadlines with excellent time management skills
• An approachable manner and good communication skills
• Ability to work in a logical, systematic manner
• An awareness and implementation of health and safety issues

Qualifications (desirable)

• Fine Art or Design qualification such as a BA,BSc orBDesign
• or
• A college certificate in metal work finishing processes
• or
• Time served in a creative role involving hand painted finishes
• or
• BA in Production Arts, Theatre Design, or Set Design for Stage & Screen
• 31 days holiday (incl. Bank holidays)
• Paid Birthday Day off
• Bonus holiday after 1 year of service
• Company Sick Pay
• Pension
• Subsidised Gym Membership
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Employee Appreciation Programme
• Regular Company Socials
• Training and Development opportunities and many more

Please apply via the Application Form with your CV and where relevant, examples of your finishing or colour-work experience.

If you have a love of art and design history and a desire to work in a professional and creative environment then we would very much like to hear from you.