Production Design Engineer

ACME Resources Corp.; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

ACME Corp. Production Resources is seeking a Production Design Engineer to work with clients and internal teams to create original designs for events, shows, and installations.

You will visualize designs for feedback and sign-off and prepare shop drawings to enable fabrication staff to work efficiently. The role covers designing scenic pieces, trade show booths, and structures for theatre and live events, including on-site fabrication, site visits, and collaboration with riggers, A/V

Qualifications

• 3+ years of drafting experience.
• 3+ years of scenic, stage building, or trade show experience.
• Familiar with theatrical construction techniques and live event production equipment.
• Experience with 2-D drafting and 3-D CAD.
• Valid driver’s license with reliable transportation.
• Ability to read client specifications and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Create original designs for events, shows, and installations based on client specs.
• Prepare shop drawings for fabrication and enable efficient construction.
• Design, model, and annotate scenic pieces and trade show booths.
• Collaborate with clients, sales, and project teams; attend meetings as needed.
• Record hours using timeclock and submit expenses; work may include evenings/weekends.

Skills

2D drafting

3D CAD

AutoCAD

English communication

Tools

Google Workspace

Odoo

Project management software

Job description

STANDARD HOURS/WEEK:40 (approximate) with overtime as needed. The schedule will typically be Monday-Saturday during standard business hours with one business day off during the week; however, the schedule is largely dictated by client needs and will include long days, evening hours, and weekends.

CLASSIFICATION:Full-time, non-exempt

TRAVEL:Work will be primarily out of the branch, and at client locations. Out of town travel due to client needs may be required, depending on job specifics.

JOB SUMMARY / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Production Design Engineer works closely with clients and internal departments to create original designs for events, shows, and installations based on client specifications, restrictions, and budget constraints. They visualize those designs for presentation, feedback, and sign-off from clients. They prepare shop drawings from designs, including from external designers, to enable fabrication staff to work as efficiently as possible, using the tools and staff available. They design, model, and annotate scenic pieces, trade show booths, and structures for traditional theatre, special events, and commercial/experiential installations such as escape rooms, haunted houses, theme parks, etc

Projects include long term installations that the general public interacts directly with, in addition to more transitory projects such as traditional theatre and events. The Production Design Engineer also creates well executed technical drawings to support the work of riggers, installers, and A/V professionals working in the field. They create external marketing materials per relevant department specifications and they fabricate and implement designs on site when necessary. They may attend sales meetings, site visits, planning meetings, and post-mortems as needed to understand design needs. The Production Design Engineer also does website work in conjunction with the IT department and creates materials for same. They may conduct research and develop prototypes to meet client needs or expand the offerings of the company. The Production Design Engineer works with a great deal of independence and exercises independent judgment in performing a wide variety of duties. They must possess a working knowledge of techniques, methods, and procedures of theatre, events, dance, music productions, and presentations including stage, set, sound, and lighting design. They perform a variety of routine as well as complex and highly technical functions requiring creativity, ingenuity, and resourcefulness. The Production Design Engineer interacts with and works collaboratively with a wide variety of personalities and situations requiring diplomacy, tact, friendliness, poise, and firmness while fostering a collaborative and positive work environment. The proportion of internal vs. external projects will depend upon business needs and client projects, and priorities will shift quickly depending on client needs and deadlines.

Ultimately, the Production Design Engineer must perform efficiently in a fast-paced environment and demonstrate excellent problem solving and decision making skills, while consulting with internal subject matter experts as needed. This position is required to record hours accurately using the company timeclock system and to submit complete expense reports on time. Work schedule will include evenings and weekends as necessary based on client needs.

The job summary is intended to reflect typical duties and is not a complete representation of the position.

QAULIFICATIONS

• 3+ years of drafting experience
• 3+ years of scenic, stage building, custom fabrication, or trade show experience
• Working knowledge of build materials and techniques to execute builds/designs with structural stability, safety, and on-site execution in mind
• Be familiar with, or the ability to develop a familiarity with, theatrical construction techniques and live event production equipment
• Experience designing with various mediums: wood, metal, plastics, fabrics, etc.
• Demonstrated experience working with creative personnel and communicating effectively with diverse personalities.
• Demonstrated strong leadership, collaborative, organizational, and communication skills and the ability to supervise teams of employees.
• Extensive knowledge of theatrical construction techniques, carpentry, welding, and theatrical rigging.
• A working knowledge of principles and practices of theatre/event staging in one or more of the following areas: prop design and construction, stage set design, rigging, stage lighting, video and projections, scenic painting, vinyl installation, sound engineering, operation/use of stage equipment or other related production/event functions. Formal, informal, and cross-disciplinary experiences will be considered.
• Must have extensive experience with 2-D drafting, 3-D preferred.
• Knowledge of stage effects and pneumatics/hydraulics is a plus.
• Experience administering budgets
• Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving record and reliable transportation required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Curiosity, adaptability, self-motivation, and the overwhelming desire to jump into a complex design problem and figure out a solution using the tools and skills at your disposal.
• Knowledge of principles, techniques, methods, and equipment used in technical aspects of theatrical production, including the design and administration of set construction, prop construction, lighting, sound, rigging, scenic painting, and special effects related to theatrical productions and live events.
• Ability to interpret the intent, input, and feedback of clients, sales representatives, and project management to meet/exceed client expectations, while remaining in budget and meeting deadlines.
• Strong organizational and drafting skills.
• Well versed in current standards and practices, as well as new advances and technology as it relates to fabrication, projection, sound, lighting, rigging and installation.
• Computer literacy in Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite) and AutoCAD, general understanding of project management software. Knowledge of Odoo a plus.
• Ability to interact productively with diverse coworkers and clients.
• Diverse knowledge of scenic construction, engineering, and overhead rigging; along with excellent problem solving, communication skills, and proficiency with 2D and 3D CAD systems.
• Working knowledge of of electronics, stage equipment and rigging, and audio-visual media; knowledge of computerized and manual stage lighting control systems.
• Strong time management skills with adaptability to changing priorities, deadlines, and the ability to manage numerous concurrent projects.
• Possess good judgment, sensitivity, analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize and problem solve.
• Ability to flourish with minimal guidance, be proactive, and handle uncertainty.
• Strong English communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to be clear and concise.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work enthusiastically with a wide range of individuals to foster productive partnerships and relationships, both internally and externally.
• Must be tenacious, flexible, and exhibit good humor under pressure.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the job summary above and meeting the physical requirements below.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in warehouse, fabrication shop, and office settings; to stand, walk, or sit for prolonged periods; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 lbs unassisted; to operate computers, artistic tools, and hand tools requiring fine dexterity, repetitive hand movement, and/or fine coordination.
• Must be able to frequently climb and descend stairs and ladders.
• Able to visually inspect equipment and use fine motor skills to create designs or drawings in various media/mediums.
• Able to work at a computer for long periods of time.
• A steady energy level and a calm demeanor
• Able to perform all essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position requires employees to work primarily in an office environment, however, other settings may be required based on client needs. This may result in working in wide variety of environments including in extreme heat and cold or where loud noises, either sustained or sudden, are common. Work is performed primarily, but not exclusively, in an indoor environment; some noise, dust, variance in temperatures, moisture, and/or humidity, paint fumes during certain stages of fabrication; exposure to electrical hazards, mechanical hazards, chemical hazards, explosive hazards, and/or burn hazards is expected.

MATERIALS

• Provide own smartphone capable of taking and sending pictures. A discounted phone plan is available after 60 days of employment.

*We reserve the right to conduct a background check at any time during the course of employment.

Please note that job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed, to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job. They are intended to be accurate reflections of principal job elements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.