Exhibit Fabricator - Carpenter

RES Exhibit Services; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

RES Exhibit Services is seeking an experienced Exhibit Fabricator / Carpenter to support its Exhibit Production team in Rochester, NY. This hands-on role handles layout, fabrication, assembly, finishing, and repair of custom exhibit components using wood, laminate, plastic, metal, and hardware according to drawings and project specs.

The ideal candidate has cabinetmaking or finish carpenter background, reads CAD drawings, and takes ownership of quality, safety, and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Two years of professional experience in cabinetmaking, exhibit fabrication, finish carpentry, or millwork.
• Experience reading CAD drawings and fabrication drawings.
• Experience with laminates and custom cabinetry.
• Ability to operate woodworking machinery and power tools.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret CAD drawings and production documents.
• Fabricate and assemble cabinetry and exhibit components.
• Safely operate woodworking machinery and tools.
• Ensure quality and finish meet standards.
• Collaborate with project teams to meet deadlines.

Skills

Finish carpentry

Cabinetmaking

Reading CAD drawings

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Woodworking machinery

Power tools

Hand tools

Job description

Company Description

RES Exhibit Services creates brand experiences that inspire and perform. For 30 years, we have helped clients bring strategy, design, engineering, fabrication, and execution together under one roof to create custom exhibits, branded environments, and event experiences for high-visibility moments.

Exhibit Fabricator / Carpenter

Today, RES is entering its next chapter with refreshed leadership, a sharper brand direction, new client momentum, and a renewed focus on clarity, accountability, creativity, craftsmanship, and measurable results. We are looking for people who want to help build what comes next.

Why This Role Matters Now

At RES, great ideas only become great experiences when they are built well. Exhibit Fabrication is where approved drawings, materials, and project requirements become the physical environments our clients and their audiences experience.

Job Description

RES is seeking an experienced Exhibit Fabricator / Carpenter to support the company’s Exhibit Production function. This hands‑on role is responsible for the layout, fabrication, assembly, finishing, modification, and repair of custom exhibit components using wood, laminate, plastic, metal, hardware, and other materials in accordance with approved drawings and project requirements.

The ideal candidate brings experience in cabinetmaking, finish carpentry, laminates, custom fabrication, or trade show exhibit construction and takes personal ownership of quality, productivity, safety, and the readiness of work released to the next stage of production.

Responsibilities

• Read and accurately interpret CAD drawings, blueprints, sketches, specifications, cut lists, and other production documentation.
• Determine appropriate fabrication and assembly sequences based on drawings, materials, deadlines, and project requirements.
• Lay out and mark dimensions, reference lines, patterns, and fabrication details accurately before cutting or assembly.
• Fabricate custom exhibit components including cabinetry, counters, walls, platforms, structures, displays, fixtures, and supporting framework.
• Build and assemble cabinetry and exhibit components to specified dimensions, tolerances, and quality standards.
• Apply laminates and other finish materials with a high level of accuracy and craftsmanship.
• Work with wood, plastic, laminate, metal, hardware, adhesives, fasteners, and other materials commonly used in exhibit fabrication.
• Safely and effectively operate woodworking machinery, stationary equipment, power tools, and hand tools required for fabrication and assembly.
• Perform modification, repair, refurbishment, and maintenance of existing exhibit components as required.
• Inspect work throughout the fabrication process and verify dimensions, fit, finish, hardware, functionality, and overall quality before work is released.
• Identify drawing conflicts, material issues, constructability concerns, missing information, or potential quality problems and communicate them promptly to the appropriate leader.
• Work collaboratively with Project Management, Engineering, CNC, Graphic Production, Purchasing, Warehouse, and other production employees to resolve issues and keep projects moving.
• Communicate production concerns, schedule risks, material shortages, changes, and potential cost impacts as soon as they become known.
• Meet established productivity and project labor expectations while maintaining RES quality standards.
• Plan and prioritize assigned work to meet production deadlines and project milestones.
• Accurately document materials used, unused materials, labor, project status, and other required production information.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area and properly care for tools, machinery, equipment, and shared production resources.
• Follow established safety procedures, equipment requirements, production standards, and company policies.
• Support exhibit pre‑staging, assembly, disassembly, packing, modification, and other production activities as project needs require.
• Assist teammates and other production functions when necessary to support overall project delivery.
• Identify opportunities to improve fabrication methods, material usage, quality, workflow, or efficiency and bring recommendations forward.
• Take ownership of assigned work from start through completion rather than passing unresolved issues downstream.
• Accommodate changes in production schedules when required by the event‑driven nature of the business, including occasional nights, weekends, holidays, or overtime during peak production periods.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Minimum of two years of professional experience in cabinetmaking, exhibit fabrication, finish carpentry, laminate fabrication, millwork, or a comparable custom‑production environment.
• Experience working with laminates and custom cabinetry required.
• Demonstrated experience using woodworking machinery, stationary equipment, power tools, and hand tools.
• Experience reading and working from CAD drawings, blueprints, fabrication drawings, or technical specifications.
• Experience in trade show exhibit fabrication, custom millwork, scenic fabrication, museum fabrication, retail environments, architectural millwork, or related custom fabrication is strongly preferred.

Required Skills And Abilities

• Strong finish‑carpentry and cabinetmaking skills.
• Ability to accurately read and interpret drawings, dimensions, specifications, and production documentation.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, spatial awareness, measuring, layout, and assembly skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to craftsmanship.
• Strong troubleshooting and practical problem‑solving ability.
• Ability to identify problems early and recommend workable solutions.
• Ability to balance quality, productivity, material usage, and schedule requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adjust as production requirements change.
• Strong time‑management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate clearly with supervisors, project managers, engineers, and coworkers.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team‑based production environment.
• Dependable attendance and willingness to support changing production requirements during peak periods.
• Professionalism, accountability, integrity, and respect for coworkers, clients, company property, and confidential project information.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday in a production and shop environment.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, tools, and exhibit components weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, climb, and work in varied positions as required to fabricate and assemble exhibit components.
• Ability to use hands and arms repetitively for measuring, cutting, fastening, laminating, sanding, assembly, and operation of hand and power tools.
• Ability to safely access and navigate the production floor, work areas, and other departments within RES facilities.
• Ability to work around woodworking machinery, power tools, production equipment, dust, noise, and materials commonly associated with custom fabrication.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and follow all applicable safety procedures.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means the work leaving the fabricator’s station is accurate, complete, well‑built, and ready for the next stage of production. The strongest Exhibit Fabricator combines craftsmanship with pace, communicates issues before they become downstream problems, uses labor and materials responsibly, and takes ownership for delivering first‑time quality.

Key Measures of Success

• First‑time quality and reduction of fabrication‑related rework.
• Completion of assigned work against scheduled production dates.
• Actual labor hours compared with project estimates.
• Accuracy to approved drawings and specifications.
• Quality of completed fit, finish, and assembly.
• Compliance with safety and equipment standards.
• Reliability and attendance.
• Contribution to team productivity and overall project readiness.

Additional Information

The U.S. base pay range for this full‑time position is $25.00 to $32.00 per hour, and individual pay is determined based on several factors, including relevant fabrication experience, cabinetmaking and laminate expertise, technical skills, job knowledge, complexity of the role, and job location.

Benefits

RES Exhibit Services offers competitive compensation and benefits, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), and paid time off.

Beyond the formal benefits, RES offers meaningful work tied to real clients and high‑visibility events; direct collaboration with designers, engineers, project managers, and production professionals; and the opportunity to see your craftsmanship become part of live experiences across the country.

RES Exhibit Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.