Fabrication and build lead

Safcore; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Safcore Design and Build Studio in Long Island City, NY is seeking an experienced fabrication and build lead. This hands-on shop role will spend most of time in the shop building and will also coordinate with our design and project management teams.

You should bring 5+ years of woodworking or millwork, strong leadership, and the ability to read drawings and supervise a small crew. The role offers flexible hours (part-time to full-time) with hourly compensation based on experience.

Qualifications

• Five plus years of professional woodworking or millwork experience.
• Expert safe operation of standard woodshop machinery.
• Precise measuring and tight tolerance capabilities.
• Experience building custom furniture or casework to a high finish.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, shop drawings and technical details.
• Experience leading, supervising or training other builders.
• Strong independent problem-solving skills and sound judgment under tight deadlines.
• Clear communication with designers, project managers and fabricators.

Responsibilities

• Build custom furniture, millwork, and one-off fabrication projects from drawings.
• Operate woodshop machinery safely and efficiently.
• Lead and assign work to fabricators, builders and installers, ensuring quality and efficiency throughout production.
• Read shop drawings and develop practical solutions with the design team.
• Coordinate shop production with project deadlines, communicating material needs, progress and potential delays.
• Lead on-site installations and troubleshoot construction and logistical challenges.
• Maintain machinery, tools and an organized, safe and efficient shop environment.

Skills

Woodworking

Leadership

Reading drawings

Team coordination

Tools

Table saw

Jointer

Planer

Bandsaw

Router

Drill press

Sanders

Domino joiner

Biscuit joiner

Pneumatic tools

Job description

Safcore Design and Build Studio is looking for a fabrication and build lead to join its team in Long Island City, New York.

Safcore design and build studio | part-time that can be full-time during busy periods, or full-time, great we need it all….. hourly | Long Island City, Queens

Salary based on experience.

Safcore is a fast very fast-paced design and build studio specializing in custom fabrication, furniture, millwork, interiors and temporary installations.

We are looking for a highly skilled woodworker to lead our shop: someone who is at the machines every day, builds to a high standard and can guide a small crew. This is a hands‑on shop role and a desk job. You will spend most of your time building, while also serving as the link between our design/project management team and our in‑house fabricators.

Role and responsibilities

• build custom furniture, millwork and one‑off custom fabrication projects from drawings, start to finish
• operate woodshop machinery safely, accurately and efficiently
• mill rough and dimensional hardwood and break down sheet goods (plywood, MDF, veneered panels) efficiently and with minimal waste
• cut and assemble joinery and select appropriate methods for each project
• lead and assign work to fabricators, builders and installers, ensuring quality and efficiency throughout production
• read shop drawings, identify potential construction issues and develop practical solutions with the design team
• make informed decisions regarding materials, hardware, structural support and assembly methods
• assist with site surveys and field measurements
• oversee quality control throughout fabrication, finishing, packing and installation
• coordinate shop production with project deadlines, communicating material needs, progress and potential delays
• lead on‑site installations and troubleshoot construction and logistical challenges
• maintain machinery, tools and an organized, safe and efficient shop environment

Machine and tool proficiency

Must be highly experienced and confident operating standard woodshop machinery and tools, including:

• sliding table saw / panel saw
• table saw
• chop saw / compound miter saw
• jointer and thickness planer
• bandsaw
• router and router table
• drill press
• belt, disc and orbital sanders
• domino joiner and biscuit joiner
• pneumatic tools (brad nailers, finish nailers, staple guns, pin nailers)
• handheld power tools (circular saws, track saws, jigsaws, drills, impact drivers)

Strong knowledge of machine setup, safe operation, maintenance and precision cutting is essential.

Key skills and qualifications

• five plus years’ of professional woodworking, cabinetmaking, millwork or scenic shop experience
• expert, safe operation of standard woodshop machinery
• precise measuring and layout skills, with the ability to work to tight tolerances
• experience building custom furniture or casework to a high finish standard
• ability to read and interpret architectural drawings, shop drawings and technical details
• experience leading, supervising or training other builders
• strong independent problem‑solving skills and sound judgment under tight deadlines
• clear communication with designers, project managers and fabricators
• experience working on one‑off custom builds and fast‑turnaround projectswillingness to work hands‑on in the shop and on‑site, including occasional evenings or weekends

Nice to have

• CNC router experience
• finishing and spraying experience
• metalworking or welding
• Rhino, CAD or SketchUp