Installer for Experiential / Fixture / Retail / Millwork / Display

Harlequin Design New York Inc; New York (NY); On-site; USD 34,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Harlequin is seeking experienced freelance installers for retail installations, window displays, pop‑ups, store fixtures, millwork, and other custom projects across New York and surrounding areas.

Projects are freelance and project‑based with varying hours, including evenings, overnights, and some daytime work. Ideal candidates have finish carpentry, millwork, or display installation backgrounds and can read drawings and work independently on site.

Qualifications

• Strong hands‑on construction, carpentry, or installation skills
• Experience using common hand and power tools
• Ability to accurately measure, level, align, and install finished components
• Ability to read basic shop drawings and installation drawings
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem‑solving ability
• Comfortable making minor field modifications when conditions differ from drawings
• Ability to work carefully around high‑quality finished surfaces
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work effectively as part of an installation team
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced environments and under tight installation schedules
• Ability to safely lift and maneuver installation materials and components
• Willingness to work flexible hours depending on project requirements

Responsibilities

• Install custom millwork, retail fixtures, displays, window elements, and other fabricated components
• Assemble and install cabinetry, shelving, panels, structures, furniture, and decorative elements
• Read and work from installation drawings, shop drawings, plans, and instructions
• Accurately measure, position, level, align, and secure finished components
• Perform finish carpentry and field modifications when required
• Install hardware, brackets, fasteners, anchors, and other mounting systems
• Assist with installation of graphics, acrylic components, lighting, and decorative elements
• Make minor field adjustments or modifications to ensure proper fit and finish
• Troubleshoot installation challenges and develop practical solutions on site
• Protect finished surfaces and work carefully within completed retail environments
• Load, unload, unpack, stage, and organize installation materials as required
• Coordinate with Harlequin project managers, installation leads, other trades, and client/site representatives
• Maintain a clean and organized work area throughout installation
• Complete installations safely, efficiently, and to a high visual standard

Skills

Carpentry

Installation

Read drawings

Measurement accuracy

Problem solving

Field modifications

Teamwork

Flexibility

Finish work

Safe handling

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Measuring tools

Job description

Benefits

• Flexible schedule

Installer for Experiential, Fixture, Retail, Millwork, Display

Location: New York / Tri-State Area

Job Type: Freelance / Project-Based

Schedule: Variable, including nights, early mornings, and occasional daytime work

Company Description

Harlequin is a global retail design agency specializing in the design, production, and installation of award-winning retail environments, window displays, interiors, and pop-up spaces.

With studios and operations in key markets including New York, London, Milan, Shanghai, and Dubai, Harlequin collaborates with leading brands to create impactful, visually engaging customer experiences.

Our team combines creativity, craftsmanship, and technical expertise to deliver projects from concept through fabrication and installation. Joining Harlequin means working in a multidisciplinary, international environment where quality, problem-solving, and attention to detail are essential.

About the Role

Harlequin is looking to expand our network of experienced freelance installers to support retail installations, window displays, pop-ups, store fixtures, millwork, and other custom projects throughout New York and the surrounding area.

This is a freelance, project-based position, with work scheduled as projects require. Installations frequently take place outside normal retail hours, including evenings, overnight, and early mornings. Some daytime work is also available depending on the project.

We are particularly interested in people with backgrounds in finish carpentry, architectural millwork installation, retail fixture installation, scenic installation, exhibit installation, or custom fabrication.

The ideal installer is hands‑on, mechanically capable, comfortable reading drawings, and able to figure out practical solutions in the field while maintaining a high standard of finish.

Responsibilities

• Install custom millwork, retail fixtures, displays, window elements, and other fabricated components
• Assemble and install cabinetry, shelving, panels, structures, furniture, and decorative elements
• Read and work from installation drawings, shop drawings, plans, and instructions
• Accurately measure, position, level, align, and secure finished components
• Perform finish carpentry and field modifications when required
• Install hardware, brackets, fasteners, anchors, and other mounting systems
• Assist with installation of graphics, acrylic components, lighting, and decorative elements
• Make minor field adjustments or modifications to ensure proper fit and finish
• Troubleshoot installation challenges and develop practical solutions on site
• Protect finished surfaces and work carefully within completed retail environments
• Load, unload, unpack, stage, and organize installation materials as required
• Coordinate with Harlequin project managers, installation leads, other trades, and client/site representatives
• Maintain a clean and organized work area throughout installation
• Complete installations safely, efficiently, and to a high visual standard

Experience We’re Looking For

Professional experience in one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Architectural millwork installation
• Finish carpentry
• Cabinetry installation
• Retail fixture installation
• Store build-outs
• Scenic or theatrical installation
• Exhibit and trade show installation
• Museum or gallery installation
• Custom fabrication
• Architectural metal installation
• Display and visual merchandising installation
• Event or experiential fabrication and installation

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong hands‑on construction, carpentry, or installation skills
• Experience using common hand and power tools
• Ability to accurately measure, level, align, and install finished components
• Ability to read basic shop drawings and installation drawings
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem‑solving ability
• Comfortable making minor field modifications when conditions differ from drawings
• Ability to work carefully around high‑quality finished surfaces
• Reliable, punctual, and able to work effectively as part of an installation team
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced environments and under tight installation schedules
• Ability to safely lift and maneuver installation materials and components
• Willingness to work flexible hours depending on project requirements

Additional Skills We Value

We don’t expect every installer to have all of these skills, but experience in several of the following areas is particularly useful:

• Advanced finish carpentry
• Millwork and cabinetry
• LED lighting and low‑voltage installation
• Basic electrical knowledge
• Graphics or vinyl installation
• Scenic fabrication
• Rigging
• Painting and touch‑up work
• Furniture assembly
• Hardware installation
• Site surveying and field measurement
• Experience working in luxury retail environments

Schedule & Availability

This is not a traditional Monday-through-Friday position. Work is offered on a project‑by‑project basis depending on our installation schedule.

Retail installations often need to happen while stores are closed, so projects may include:

• Evening and overnight shifts
• Early morning installations
• Daytime installations
• Weekday and occasional weekend work
• Single‑shift installations
• Multi‑day installation projects

There is no guaranteed number of hours or projects. This role is best suited to experienced freelance installers who are comfortable accepting work based on their availability.

Location & Travel

Most of our installation projects are located in and around New York City, including Manhattan and the surrounding NYC metropolitan area.

Installers will generally travel directly to the project site and should be comfortable working at different locations throughout the NYC area depending on the project.

For installers who are interested and available, there may also be occasional opportunities to travel for projects outside the New York area. Travel is not a requirement for this role, and availability for out-of-town projects can be discussed on a project‑by‑project basis.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for experienced tradespeople who can do more than simply follow instructions.

Our installations are custom, and site conditions don’t always match what was expected. A strong Harlequin installer can look at a drawing, understand what we’re trying to achieve, identify a problem, and help find a practical solution without compromising the finished appearance.

Because we work with leading retail and luxury brands, quality and attention to detail are extremely important. Installations need to look intentional, clean, level, aligned, and finished, even when the work is being completed overnight under a tight deadline.

We’re particularly interested in building long-term relationships with reliable freelance installers who we can call regularly as projects arise.

Lead Installer opportunities are also available for candidates with appropriate experience managing installation crews and complex on‑site projects.