Brand Experience: Design and Fabrication

Play Interactive; Coppell (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness Stipend

Generous PTO & holidays

Hybrid work flexibility

Standout live experiences

Job summary

Play Interactive in Coppell, TX seeks a hands-on designer and fabricator to take a trade show build from sketch to final install. You design booths, activations, tournament stages, and branded environments, build them in our shop, then travel with them to shows across the country to lead installation and supervise crews.

This role blends computer work, shop work, and on-site leadership, with a focus on turning ideas into immersive spaces fans can walk into, play in, and photograph.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years in trade show, exhibit, scenic, experiential, or event design and fabrication.
• Hands on trade show installation and dismantle experience.
• Experience supervising or leading build and install crews, including union labor.
• Portfolio showing both designs and finished builds you fabricated and installed.
• Hands on carpentry and shop tools experience.
• Knowledge of materials and finishes (wood, foam, acrylic, metal, fabric, paint, large format print).
• Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite and at least one 3D/CAD tool.
• Ability to read show manuals, floor plans, and installation drawings.
• Commitment to shop and job site safety.
• Clear, calm communication directing crews on site and to clients.

Responsibilities

• Design trade show booths, activations, tournament and stage environments and signage.
• Create concept sketches, 3D renderings, and decks for clients and internal teams.
• Develop shop drawings, cut lists, material specs, build and installation drawings.
• Fabricate, assemble, paint, and finish builds using carpentry and fabrication techniques.
• Operate and maintain shop tools safely and keep the shop organized.
• Estimate material and labor needs, purchase materials, track costs against budgets.
• Prepare graphic files and coordinate with print/vendors for large format graphics.
• Pack, crate, and prepare builds for shipping with inventory lists.
• Travel to trade shows, lead installation, supervise crews, and coordinate with vendors.
• Review show manuals, floor plans, and deadlines; troubleshoot on site.
• Conduct final walkthroughs with PMs or clients; flag risks early.
• Build fabrication/installation timelines and store reusable booth components.

Skills

Trade show design

Install & Dismantle

Crew supervision

Carpentry & shop tools

3D renderings

CAD familiarity

Project coordination

Reading plans

Safety compliance

Creative problem-solving

Tools

SketchUp

Vectorworks

AutoCAD

Rhino

Cinema 4D

Blender

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Brand Experience: Design and Fabrication

We're looking for a hands on designer and fabricator who can take a trade show build from the first sketch to the final install. You'll design booths, activations, tournament stages, and branded environments, build them in our shop, then travel with them to shows across the country to lead installation, supervise build crews, and make sure every detail comes together on the show floor.

This role is ideal for someone who is equally comfortable at a computer, in the shop, and running a crew on the show floor, and who loves the moment an idea becomes something fans can walk into, play in, and photograph.

What You'll Do

Design

• Design trade show booths, activations, tournament and stage environments, signage, displays, photo moments, and props.
• Create concept sketches, 3D renderings, and presentation decks that help clients and internal teams see the experience before it's built.
• Develop shop drawings, cut lists, material specifications, build plans, and installation drawings.
• Ensure builds follow client and licensor brand guidelines, show rules, venue requirements, fire codes, and safety requirements.

Build

• Fabricate, assemble, paint, and finish builds using carpentry, scenic, and fabrication techniques.
• Operate and maintain shop tools and equipment safely, and keep the shop organized.
• Estimate material and labor needs, purchase materials, and track costs against project budgets.
• Prepare graphic files and work with print vendors on large format graphics, and coordinate outside vendors for specialized work when needed.
• Pack, crate, and prepare builds for shipping, including inventory lists and labeling.

Travel, Install, and Supervise

• Travel to trade shows and events across the country, often for several days at a time.
• Lead installation and dismantle on site, serving as the point person for the build from arrival through teardown.
• Supervise installation crews, including union labor, show contractors, and freelance or temporary crew members, assigning tasks and making sure work is done safely, correctly, and on schedule.
• Review show manuals, floor plans, and deadlines, and coordinate with show services, freight, electrical, and venue teams.
• Troubleshoot and solve problems on the show floor quickly, communicating any changes that affect scope, schedule, or budget.
• Conduct final walkthroughs with project managers or clients before shows open.

Partner with project managers to build fabrication and installation timelines and flag risks early.

Repair, refurbish, store, and track reusable booth components and inventory.

Help build design standards, install guides, templates, and efficient fabrication processes for the team.

What You Bring

• 3 to 5 years of experience in trade show, exhibit, scenic, experiential, or event design and fabrication.
• Hands on trade show installation and dismantle experience.
• Experience supervising or leading build and install crews, including working with union labor and show contractors.
• A portfolio showing both designs and finished builds you personally fabricated and installed.
• Hands on skill with carpentry and shop tools, including table saws, miter saws, routers, and hand and power tools.
• Working knowledge of materials and finishes, including wood, foam, acrylic, metal, fabric, paint, and large format print.
• Strong skills in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) and at least one 3D or CAD tool, such as SketchUp, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Rhino, Cinema 4D, or Blender.
• Ability to read show manuals, floor plans, and installation drawings.
• A strong commitment to shop and job site safety.
• Clear, calm communication and confidence directing crews and working with clients on site.
• Ability to manage multiple builds and shows at once while staying organized and detail focused.
• A proactive, solutions oriented mindset and the ability to adapt when plans change on the show floor.
• Ability to travel, including overnight and multi day trips, and work early mornings, evenings, and weekends during show schedules.
• Ability to lift up to [50] pounds, stand for long periods, and work on ladders and lifts during builds and installs.

Nice to Have

• Experience at an exhibit house or trade show production company.
• Familiarity with major convention centers, show services, freight, drayage, and exhibitor appointed contractors.
• Aerial lift or forklift certification.
• OSHA 10 certification.
• Experience with CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D printers, or vinyl cutters.
• Welding, metalworking, electrical, or lighting installation experience.
• Experience with licensed IP and brand approval processes.
• Knowledge of gaming, anime, trading card games, or fandom culture.

What We Offer

• $65,000–$85,000 annual salary, based on experience.
• Health & Wellness Stipend.
• Generous paid time off and holidays.
• Hybrid work flexibility.
• The chance to create standout live experiences for major brands and passionate fan communities.