Shop Manager

KID Museum; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 60,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

KID Museum in Bethesda, MD is seeking a Shop Manager to lead the fabrication shop, maintain tools, organize materials, and train staff. The role supports the Program team in designing, fabricating, and maintaining interactive exhibits for Maker Playground, school field trips, and Open Explore.

You will manage budgets and inventory, enforce safety standards in shop spaces, and collaborate with the Directors and Program staff to deliver engaging, safe experiences for visitors.

Qualifications

• BA in related field or equivalent fabrication experience.
• Advanced proficiency with woodshop equipment.
• Demonstrated safe habits in shared shop environments, including tools and workspace organization.
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing budgets and coordinating multiple projects.
• Experience with CAD and CAM processes and ability to learn new software.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain a clean, organized, and efficient staff workshop in partnership with the Program team.
• Manage shop material inventory and track material consumption.
• Ensure adherence to safety standards in shared shop environments, focusing on tools, equipment, and materials.
• Manage shop budget and track expenses in partnership with the Director of Programs.
• Research, source, and procure materials and tools needed for fabrication projects.
• Repair, upgrade, and remix existing exhibits and programmatic interactives to keep installations safe and engaging.
• Collaborate on ideation, design, prototyping, and fabrication of new interactives.
• Train and mentor Museum staff in maker/shop skills for fabrication of exhibits and teaching tools.
• Assist Program team with design and fabrication of interactives and teaching tools as needed.
• Train Program team members to assist with exhibit maintenance and routine repairs.
• Support artists, makers, and community partners on projects that enrich KID programming.

Skills

Woodshop equipment proficiency

Budget management

Communication skills

Physical stamina

Staff training

Education

B.A. in Industrial Design / Product Design / Mechanical Engineering or related fabrication experience

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Laser cutter

3D printer

Job description

Shop Manager

About the Role

The Shop Manager is responsible for managing day‑to‑day use of the fabrication shop, including tool maintenance, organization, and staff training, and plays a major role in supporting the Program team in the design, fabrication, and maintenance of interactives for Maker Playground, school field trips, and Open Explore. This role is also responsible for ongoing shop and tool maintenance, as well as providing support for the budget and inventory management processes of the shop.

The Shop Manager will collaborate closely with the Director of Programs, Managing Director of Teaching & Learning, and Manager of Public Programs, as well as the full Programs team to support the work of creating experiences that further KID Museum’s mission of fostering a sense of creativity, exploration, and hands‑on learning.

Key Responsibilities

Shop Organization, Systems, and Safety

• Manage and maintain a clean, organized, and efficient staff workshop in partnership with the Program team.
• Manage shop material inventory and track material consumption.
• Ensure adherence to safety standards in shared shop environments, with a focus on tools, equipment, and materials.
• Manage shop budget and track expenses in partnership with the Director of Programs.
• Research, source, and procure materials and tools needed for fabrication projects.

Exhibit Fabrication and Maintenance

• Repair, upgrade, and remix existing exhibits and programmatic interactives to keep installations safe, engaging, and impactful for visitors.
• Collaborate on ideation, design, prototyping, and fabrication of new interactives to deliver fresh and enjoyable experiences for visitors.

Staff Training and Collaboration

• Train and mentor Museum staff in maker/shop skills essential to the fabrication of new exhibits and teaching tools.
• Assist Program team members with the design and fabrication of interactives and teaching tools as needed.
• Train members of the Program team to assist with regular exhibit maintenance and routine repairs.
• When applicable, support artists, makers, and community partners on projects that enrich KID programming.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.A. in a related field such as Industrial Design, Product Design, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience with exhibit or other forms of fabrication.
• Advanced proficiency with woodshop equipment.
• Demonstrated safe habits and practices in shared shop environments, including the use of tools, equipment, materials, and workspace organization.
• Demonstrated proficiency in managing budgets and coordinating multiple projects.
• Experience with CAD and CAM processes, including the ability to learn new design software as needed.
• Capable of lifting up to 50 lbs. and performing physical tasks required in a fabrication shop.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and visual, for conveying design concepts and instructions.
• Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations: Valid driver’s license with experience and ability to drive large vans.

Core Competencies

• Fabrication Expertise: Knowledge of woodshop fabrication techniques, CAD and CAM processes, use of fab lab tools (including laser cutter and 3D printer).
• Knowledge of industrial, product, or exhibit fabrication.
• Experience with fabrication shop management: Excellent understanding of shop safety standards, maintenance, and organization.
• Excellent organization and project management skills.
• Able to meet physical demands of fabrication work: Work may involve prolonged periods of standing, walking, and use of shop equipment, as well as the need to lift and move up to 50 pounds.

This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and benefits.

Compensation and Location: The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $68,000 (commensurate with experience) and it is offered along with a competitive benefits package. The position is based in Bethesda, MD.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion are important, interdependent components of everyday life at KID Museum and are critical to our pursuit of excellence. KID Museum is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sex, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military status.