Senior Prop Maker

Creative SD; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Model seeks a Senior Fabricator to lead high-quality manufacture and assembly of bespoke props, structures and special-build elements from drawings and briefs.

You will work across timber, plastics, metals and composites, delivering top-tier finishing for advertising and experiential projects while guiding junior team members and upholding safety and production standards.

Qualifications

• Substantial practical fabrication experience across multiple materials and processes.
• Ability to take a project from drawing/model to finished piece with limited supervision.
• Comfortable in fast-moving, deadline-driven production environments.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture and assemble bespoke props, structures and special-build elements from drawings and briefs.
• Work across timber, sheet materials, plastics, metals, foams, composites, adhesives, coatings and finishing systems.
• Deliver high-quality fabrication and finishing for client-facing advertising and experiential projects.
• Maintain a safe, organised workshop and meet production deadlines.
• Identify potential issues early and communicate with the Supervisor/Head of Production.
• Support junior fabricators and assist with development of new fabrication methods.

Skills

Prop fabrication

Timber

Metals

Plastics

Finishing

Prototyping

Job description

The Senior Prop Maker is responsible for the high-quality manufacture and assembly of bespoke special builds, 2D/3D props, experiential installations and associated structures. As a senior member of the production team, the role requires a high degree of skill, productivity, independence and personal responsibility. Senior Fabricators are expected not only to produce work to a high standard, but to help drive jobs forward, identify problems early and support less experienced members of the workshop team.

Key Responsibilities

• Manufacture and assemble bespoke props, structures and special-build elements from drawings, visuals and project briefs.
• Work confidently across materials and processes relevant to Creative SD's production, including timber, sheet materials, plastics, metals, foams, composites, adhesives, coatings and finishing systems.
• Deliver consistently high-quality fabrication and finishing appropriate to client-facing advertising and experiential projects.
• Work efficiently and maintain an appropriate senior-level work rate throughout the working day.
• Complete allocated work within agreed production times and project deadlines.
• Take ownership of allocated tasks rather than requiring continual supervision or prompting.
• Identify potential production, quality or timing issues early and communicate these immediately to the Workshop Supervisor or Head of Production.
• Check work throughout fabrication rather than relying on issues being identified at the end of production.
• Minimise mistakes, avoidable rework and material wastage.
• Interpret drawings, measurements, models and visual references accurately.
• Suggest practical fabrication solutions where designs require development or adaptation.
• Assist with prototypes, test builds and development of new fabrication methods where required.
• Maintain an organised, safe and productive working environment.
• Follow company health & safety procedures and use machinery, tools and materials responsibly.
• Support junior fabricators and other members of the production team when appropriate.
• Assist with loading, preparation, installation and de-rig of projects where required.

Senior-Level Expectations

A Senior Fabricator is expected to operate at a noticeably higher level than a junior or developing fabricator. This means demonstrating:

• Productivity – maintaining a strong and consistent work rate and understanding the commercial importance of completing work within allocated production hours.
• Quality – producing work to a consistently high standard with minimal supervision, mistakes or rework.
• Reliability – completing agreed tasks and milestones when promised and raising concerns before deadlines are missed.
• Ownership – taking responsibility for a job or element of a job from instruction through to completion.
• Initiative – identifying what needs doing next and progressing work without waiting continually for instruction.
• Problem solving – proposing practical solutions to fabrication challenges rather than simply identifying problems.
• Communication – keeping the Workshop Supervisor and Head of Production informed about progress, problems and likely delays.
• Team contribution – helping maintain momentum across the workshop and supporting less experienced colleagues when appropriate.
• Attitude and professionalism – demonstrating a constructive, engaged and professional approach to work, colleagues and company projects.

Performance Standards

Performance will be assessed against:

• Quality and accuracy of completed work
• Productivity and work rate
• Achievement of production deadlines
• Amount of avoidable rework
• Ability to work independently
• Ownership of allocated work
• Communication of progress and problems
• Problem-solving and initiative
• Safe and responsible working practices
• Contribution to the wider production team

Skills & Experience

The role requires substantial practical fabrication experience and the ability to demonstrate a high standard of craftsmanship across multiple materials and processes. The successful Senior Fabricator should be comfortable working in a fast-moving, deadline-driven production environment where projects are often bespoke and require practical problem-solving rather than repetitive manufacturing. They should be capable of taking a project from a drawing, model or creative concept through fabrication, assembly and finishing with limited supervision.