Mechanical Fabricator

Position Summary

The Mechanical Fabricator develops mechanical systems, structures, mechanisms, and

fabrication solutions for custom puppets, kinetic objects, scenic elements, and other

one-of-a-kind projects. This position bridges creative intent, mechanical design,

engineering principles, and fabrication realities.

The role is responsible for building from drawings, as well as taking conceptual ideas

and developing them into practical, buildable solutions through mechanical problem

solving, prototyping, testing, documentation, and collaboration with fabrication teams.

This position is primarily focused on fabrication and requires a strong understanding of

how things are fabricated, assembled, operated, maintained, and installed.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical concepts and systems for custom projects from initial idea

through fabrication and testing.

• Translate creative and performance requirements into practical mechanical

solutions.

• Understand, and be able to build and implement - mechanisms, frames, linkages,

pivots, bearings, actuators, control interfaces, and related components.

• Evaluate material selection, tolerances, motion, wear, serviceability, weight,

safety, and manufacturability.

• Develop prototypes and proof-of-concept mechanisms to test ideas before final

fabrication.

• Work closely with designers and fabricators to ensure designs are efficient and

practical to build.

• Propose design revisions in response to fabrication, testing, artistic, client, or

operational feedback.

• Develop, and support the development of, bills of materials and assist with

material sourcing and component specification.

• Maintain clear and accurate project documentation.
• Participate in design reviews and communicate technical information clearly to

project managers, designers, fabricators, and other departments.

• Support troubleshooting, testing, commissioning, and installation as needed.
• Contribute to project estimating and help identify opportunities to reduce

complexity, fabrication time, weight, and cost without compromising design intent.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong mechanical design and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience working with materials and fabrication processes that include metals,

plastics, composites, machined components, fasteners, bearings, and

commercially available mechanical components.

• Proficiency welding, machining, CNC fabrication, and general shop processes.
• Strong understanding of tolerances, fits, fasteners, mechanical interfaces, and

moving assemblies.

• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with both creative and

technical team members.

• Ability to manage multiple design problems and priorities within project schedules

and budgets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional experience in mechanical design, industrial

design, product development, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering,

theatrical engineering, or a related discipline.

• Experience working directly in a fabrication environment.
• Experience with prototyping and iterative design.
• Experience with basic electronics, motors, actuators, pneumatics, or control

systems.

Success in This Role

A successful Mechanical Fabricator can be given a creative or functional challenge -

“We need this character to make this movement, carry this load, and survive

repeated operation” - and develop a durable, lightweight, safe, elegant, buildable

mechanical solution while working collaboratively with our clients, who will operate and

maintain it. Current staff include people from the worlds of: Theater and puppet building;

Mechanical and Structural Engineering; fields of Art and Design; Kinetic Design;

Aerospace industries; Digital automation; Metal fabrication, including machining,

welding, casting/processing; Manufacturing, Automotive repair, and more. If you like

working with your hands, finding innovative solutions that emerge from unique and

challenging design constraints we would love to talk with you more about how you could

join our team.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop mechanical concepts and systems for custom projects from initial idea

through fabrication and testing.

• Translate creative and performance requirements into practical mechanical

solutions.

• Understand, and be able to build and implement - mechanisms, frames, linkages,

pivots, bearings, actuators, control interfaces, and related components.

• Evaluate material selection, tolerances, motion, wear, serviceability, weight,

safety, and manufacturability.

• Develop prototypes and proof-of-concept mechanisms to test ideas before final

fabrication.

• Work closely with designers and fabricators to ensure designs are efficient and

practical to build.

• Propose design revisions in response to fabrication, testing, artistic, client, or

operational feedback.

• Develop, and support the development of, bills of materials and assist with

material sourcing and component specification.

• Maintain clear and accurate project documentation.
• Participate in design reviews and communicate technical information clearly to

project managers, designers, fabricators, and other departments.

• Support troubleshooting, testing, commissioning, and installation as needed.
• Contribute to project estimating and help identify opportunities to reduce

complexity, fabrication time, weight, and cost without compromising design intent.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong mechanical design and problem-solving abilities.
• Experience working with materials and fabrication processes that include metals,

plastics, composites, machined components, fasteners, bearings, and

commercially available mechanical components.

• Proficiency welding, machining, CNC fabrication, and general shop processes.
• Strong understanding of tolerances, fits, fasteners, mechanical interfaces, and

moving assemblies.

• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with both creative and

technical team members.

• Ability to manage multiple design problems and priorities within project schedules

and budgets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional experience in mechanical design, industrial

design, product development, robotics, mechatronics, mechanical engineering,

theatrical engineering, or a related discipline.

• Experience working directly in a fabrication environment.
• Experience with prototyping and iterative design.
• Experience with basic electronics, motors, actuators, pneumatics, or control

systems.

Success in This Role

A successful Mechanical Fabricator can be given a creative or functional challenge -

“We need this character to make this movement, carry this load, and survive

repeated operation” - and develop a durable, lightweight, safe, elegant, buildable

mechanical solution while working collaboratively with our clients, who will operate and

maintain it. Current staff include people from the worlds of: Theater and puppet building;

Mechanical and Structural Engineering; fields of Art and Design; Kinetic Design;

Aerospace industries; Digital automation; Metal fabrication, including machining,

welding, casting/processing; Manufacturing, Automotive repair, and more. If you like

working with your hands, finding innovative solutions that emerge from unique and

challenging design constraints we would love to talk with you more about how you could

join our team.

Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person