Scenic Designer

LF Studios; Hazelwood (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

LF Studios in the United States is seeking a Scenic Designer to create environments for animatronic figures and show spaces. This hands-on role focuses on rockwork, flats, bases, platforms, and props, ensuring fabrication-friendly designs and easy on-site assembly.

You will develop elements from concepts, build CAD models, plan structures, and coordinate with Engineering, Fabrication, Finishing, and project managers from kickoff through installation.

Qualifications

• Experience designing scenic structures that were built and installed.
• Hands‑on background in rockwork, scenic flats, technical theater, or woodworking.
• Proficiency in CAD and mesh tools (e.g., Fusion 360, Blender, Maya, ZBrush).
• Working knowledge of fabrication methods and materials and how they affect design decisions.
• A practical sense of structure, weight, handling, packing, and shipping.
• A portfolio showing scenic work from concept through finished, built piece.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Develop scenic elements from client concepts, sculpts, and art direction, preserving creative intent while designing for fabrication methods, materials, and budget.
• Build digital models in CAD and mesh environments, keeping scenery in context with figures, mechanisms, and show layout.
• Lay out internal structure (framing, steel or wood substructure, mounting points) for engineering review.
• Coordinate interfaces with figures and mechanisms, including clearances, range of motion, access panels, cable paths, and service access.
• Select construction methods and materials such as hardcoat and foam rock work, flats, wood and metal framing, and 3D-printed or milled parts.
• Break scenery into sections sized for fabrication, handling, crating, and shipping, with seams, keys, and hardware that reassemble cleanly on site.
• Produce complete release packages for fabrication: drawings, models, output files, cut lists, and bills of materials.
• Document assembly sequences, lifting and handling points, and installation interfaces.
• Work closely with Engineering, Fabrication, Finishing, and project managers from kickoff through installation.
• Support the shop during build and the field team during install, feeding lessons learned back into our standards.

Skills

Scenic design experience

Hands-on fabrication background

CAD proficiency

Mesh software proficiency

Structural and packaging sense

Portfolio of scenic work

US work authorization

Tools

Fusion 360

Blender

Maya

ZBrush

SOLIDWORKS

CNC/Milling

3D printing (FDM/SLA/SLS)

Job description

About Us:

At LF Studios, we push the boundaries of storytelling through cutting‑edge animatronics and entertainment robotics. LF specializes in the design and fabrication of animatronic figures, sculpted elements, exhibits, and interactive experiences. Our work can be found internationally in leading theme parks, museums, science centers, and branded spaces. We’re searching for a Scenic Designer with a hands‑on, practical design background who can take scenery from concept to real, buildable, shippable pieces.

The Role:

As a Scenic Designer, you’ll design the environments that surround our animatronic figures, including rock work, scenic flats, bases, platforms, set pieces, and props. This is a hands‑on design role, not an engineering role. You’ll shape the look and solve the practical problems behind it: how a piece stands up, how it gets built, how it breaks down to pack and ship, and how it goes back together on site. As the first member of our new Scenic Design team within the Surface Design department, you’ll help set the standard for how scenic work is done at LF.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop scenic elements from client concepts, sculpts, and art direction, preserving creative intent while designing for fabrication methods, materials, and budget.
• Build digital models in CAD and mesh environments, keeping scenery in context with figures, mechanisms, and show layout.
• Lay out internal structure (framing, steel or wood substructure, mounting points) for engineering review.
• Coordinate interfaces with figures and mechanisms, including clearances, range of motion, access panels, cable paths, and service access.
• Select construction methods and materials such as hardcoat and foam rock work, flats, wood and metal framing, and 3D-printed or milled parts.
• Break scenery into sections sized for fabrication, handling, crating, and shipping, with seams, keys, and hardware that reassemble cleanly on site.
• Produce complete release packages for fabrication: drawings, models, output files, cut lists, and bills of materials.
• Document assembly sequences, lifting and handling points, and installation interfaces.
• Work closely with Engineering, Fabrication, Finishing, and project managers from kickoff through installation.
• Support the shop during build and the field team during install, feeding lessons learned back into our standards.

Requirements:

• Experience designing scenic structures that were built and installed.
• Hands‑on background in one or more of: rockwork, scenic flats, technical theater, or woodworking.
• Proficiency in at least one CAD tool (e.g., Fusion 360) and one mesh tool (e.g., Blender, Maya, ZBrush), with comfort moving models between them.
• Working knowledge of fabrication methods and materials and how they affect design decisions.
• A practical sense of structure, weight, handling, packing, and shipping.
• A portfolio showing scenic work from concept through finished, built piece.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship.

The things that give you an edge:

• Surface design experience with shells, digital models, or figure skins for animatronics or themed entertainment.
• Theme park, museum, exhibit, retail, or live‑event scenic experience.
• Familiarity with SOLIDWORKS and PDM, 3D printing (FDM, SLA, SLS), and CNC or robotic milling.
• Shop experience building what you design: carpentry, metalwork, foam carving, or hard coat.
• Experience preparing crating and shipping plans or supporting on‑site installs.
• A passion for themed entertainment, scenic art, and immersive storytelling.

For more information about LF Studios, please visit www.lfstudios.com.