Fabrication Shop Manager – Lead Builds & Quality

Aardvark Studios; Conshohocken (Montgomery County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid time off

Medical benefits

Disability options

Retirement matching

On-site gym

Tesla charging

Dog-friendly

Job summary

Aardvark Studios is seeking a hands-on Shop Manager to lead fabrications, drive quality, safety, and efficiency across our shop.

You will manage day-to-day workflow, mentor makers, coordinate with design engineering and project management, and ensure builds meet high standards on time and budget. Reporting to the COO, this role requires strong leadership and lean-practice focus in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proven experience in a Shop Foreman, Production Lead, or similar fabrication leadership role.
• Demonstrated success managing teams in a fast-paced, custom fabrication or production environment.
• Strong understanding of woodworking, metal fabrication, CNC operations, and specialty fabrication techniques.
• Knowledge of Lean/5S principles and process standardization.

Responsibilities

• Hire, manage, and develop fabrication team members across wood, CNC, metal, and specialty disciplines.
• Lead daily shop huddles and ensure clear team alignment and communication.
• Implement lean initiatives and continuous improvement practices.
• Manage all aspects of shop safety and compliance.
• Maintain shop cleanliness, organization, and readiness for daily operations.
• Oversee equipment repair, maintenance, and usage.
• Ensure production quality standards are met while minimizing rework.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering, Project Management, and Production teams to meet deadlines and budget goals.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Quality control

Safety compliance

Project coordination

Tools

Smartsheet

Google Suite

Rhino

Job description

Aardvark Studios is seeking a hands-on Shop Manager to lead fabrications, drive quality, safety, and efficiency across our shop.

You will manage day-to-day workflow, mentor makers, coordinate with design engineering and project management, and ensure builds meet high standards on time and budget. Reporting to the COO, this role requires strong leadership and lean-practice focus in a fast-paced environment.