SFX Design & Manufacturing Engineer

ER Productions; Dartford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Health care (Bupa)

Pension scheme

Company laptop

20 days holiday

Job summary

ER Productions, a world-leading SFX and laser company, seeks an SFX Design & Manufacturing Engineer to take bespoke effects from concept to working hardware. You will design in CAD (Autodesk Fusion) and manufacture parts in‑house, ensuring safe operation.

You will work hands-on across design, build and test, with fuel-based flame systems and compliance (ATEX/UKCA). Minimum 2 years CAD experience and a mechanical engineering qualification are expected, plus willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years' proven experience designing bespoke mechanical or SFX equipment.
• CAD experience (Autodesk Fusion ideal) with 3D models and 2D drawings.
• Practical machining across manual milling, lathe, CNC and CAM programming.

Responsibilities

• Design bespoke SFX equipment from concept through to manufacturable parts using CAD.
• Develop fuel-based flame systems including LPG and liquid fuels; distribution, valves and ignition.
• Manufacture parts in-house on mills and lathes; produce CAM toolpaths.

Skills

CAD design

Fusion 360

CAM programming

Manual machining

Safety compliance

ATEX awareness

Live events experience

Education

Mechanical engineering degree

HNC/HND

Tools

Autodesk Fusion

CNC milling

3D modelling

Job description

Want to design and build the special effects that headline the world's biggest shows? ER Productions is a world-leading special effects and laser company, delivering flame, pyro, CO2, water, laser and bespoke effects for stadium tours, live events, film and installations worldwide. A lot of what we use doesn't exist off the shelf, so we engineer and manufacture it ourselves. This could be the job for you.

This role sits within FABER Entertainment Engineering, the in-house engineering arm of ER Productions, where we design, develop and build the equipment behind our effects. For the right person there are genuine development and career opportunities as the business continues to grow, along with the chance to broaden your skills and take real ownership of what you make.

The role

Reporting to the Technical Director.

We're looking for an engineer who can take a bespoke effect from concept to working hardware, designing it in CAD and then making it on the workshop floor. Sitting within FABER, our engineering team, you'll work alongside R&D and fabrication engineers at the intersection of mechanical design and hands‑on making, with a strong focus on fuel‑based flame systems using both gas (Propane/Butane) and liquid fuels (Isopar, IPA and similar). You should be equally at home in CAD and standing at a manual mill. This role is hands‑on across design, build and testing, and you will be responsible for making sure the equipment is safe for others to use and operate.

As an SFX Design & Manufacturing Engineer, what you'll do:

• Design bespoke special effects equipment from concept through to manufacturable parts using CAD, including flame-system hardware, sheet metal and milled parts.
• Develop fuel‑based flame systems, both LPG and liquid fuel (Isopar, IPA and similar), including gas and fluid distribution, valves, regulators, ignition and interlocks.
• Manufacture parts and prototypes in‑house on the manual mill and lathe, on CNC mill, lathe and router, producing toolpaths in CAM.
• Build, bench‑test and iterate assemblies until they perform reliably, repeatably and safely.
• Own the safety of what you design, including risk assessment, ATEX reasoning for fuel systems, FMEA and compliance (UKCA/CE) as appropriate.
• Produce clear documentation (drawings, BOMs, assembly and test notes) and keep up to date with new manufacturing technologies and techniques.
• Minimum 2 years' proven experience designing bespoke mechanical or SFX equipment, ideally taking designs through to physical, working hardware.
• Hands‑on experience with fuel‑based systems, LPG and/or liquid fuel (Isopar, IPA and similar), including the associated safety considerations.
• Minimum 2 years' CAD experience (Autodesk Fusion ideal), creating 3D models and 2D technical drawings.
• Practical machining across manual milling, lathe, CNC machining and CAM programming.
• Working knowledge of electronics and controls, such as solenoid valves, ignition systems, sensors and interlocks.
• A sound understanding of relevant safety and compliance for fuel and flame equipment (e.g. ATEX, UKCA/CE).
• A relevant engineering qualification (e.g. HNC/HND or degree in mechanical engineering) or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• Background in live events, touring, film/TV, theme park or the wider entertainment industry.
• Autodesk Fusion specifically, including its integrated CAM.
• Awareness of functional safety and control‑system safety for ignition and interlock systems.
• Broader fabrication skills such as welding and sheet metal work.
• Relevant safety or compliance certifications (e.g. gas safety, ATEX/DSEAR awareness, or a recognised welding qualification).
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites occasionally.
• Design and build effects seen by audiences worldwide, on kit that mostly doesn't exist until you make it.
• Real ownership, taking projects from concept through to working hardware.
• A hands‑on, practical engineering culture where decisions get made quickly and your work has visible impact.
• Unusual, technically challenging effects systems to get your teeth into.
• Room to grow your skills as FABER and the wider business expand.

Package on Offer:

• Salary: From £35,000, dependent on experience
• Participation in company bonus scheme (after probationary period)
• Bupa Health Care (after probationary period)
• Company Pension Scheme
• Apple Laptop
• 20 days holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas shutdown

A little about us:

ER Productions is an international, award‑winning laser show & laser system design and special effects specialist, with credits spanning high profile events, advertising, television and worldwide concert tours.

Constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to the ongoing development, manufacture and sourcing of cutting‑edge laser & SFX products, we have the largest collection of laser solutions worldwide.

With offices in the UK, Spain, Australia and USA, ER Productions is perfectly placed to deliver systems and show‑stopping laser & SFX displays around the world.