Scenic Designer - Buildable Sets for Immersive Shows

LF Studios / LifeFormations; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

LF Studios / LifeFormations is seeking a Scenic Designer to develop environments for animatronic figures, including rock work, flats, bases, platforms, set pieces, and props. This hands-on design role focuses on buildability, transport, and on-site reassembly within the Surface Design department.

You’ll shape look, solve practical problems, and set standards for scenic work. Experience with fabrication methods and a strong portfolio are essential for success in this role.

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; ability to move models between them.
• Practical sense of structure, weight, handling, packing, and shipping.
• Portfolio showing scenic work from concept through finished, built piece.
• Authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Develop scenic elements from client concepts, 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 and layout.
• Lay out internal structure for engineering review (framing, substructure).
• Coordinate interfaces with figures and mechanisms, including clearances and service access.
• Select construction methods and materials such as hardcoat, foam rock work, flats, and 3D-printed parts.
• Produce release packages for fabrication: drawings, models, BOMs, cut lists.
• Document assembly sequences, lifting points, and installation interfaces.
• Work closely with Engineering, Fabrication, Finishing, and project managers from kickoff through installation.
• Support the shop during build and field team during install; feed lessons learned back into standards.

Skills

Scenic design

CAD modeling

Fabrication knowledge

Project collaboration

Weight/structure understanding

Tools

Fusion 360

Blender

SOLIDWORKS

PDM

Job description

LF Studios / LifeFormations is seeking a Scenic Designer to develop environments for animatronic figures, including rock work, flats, bases, platforms, set pieces, and props. This hands-on design role focuses on buildability, transport, and on-site reassembly within the Surface Design department.

You’ll shape look, solve practical problems, and set standards for scenic work. Experience with fabrication methods and a strong portfolio are essential for success in this role.