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Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) · 2 weeks ago

Technical Design Manager

Brooklyn, NY

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$80K/yr - $95K/yr

4+ years exp

Powerhouse Arts is a not-for-profit organization committed to creative expression. They are seeking a Technical Design Manager who will translate artistic vision into buildable solutions by developing fabrication strategies and managing the creation of shop drawings, 3D models, and fabrication files for all Public Art department projects.

Non Profit

Responsibilities

Translate artist sketches, concepts, and design intent into buildable fabrication strategies across diverse materials, including metal, wood, textiles, acrylic, and novel materials

Determine material selections, connection approaches, finishes, and assembly methods in collaboration with the Fabrication & Installation Manager and project teams

Develop assembly sequences and determine jigs/fixtures needed for fabrication

Oversee production of shop drawings, plans, elevations, sections, and 3D models, while working closely with the Digital Fabrication Specialist to ensure accuracy, buildability, and alignment with design intent

Collaborate with the Fabrication & Installation Manager to solve complex fabrication challenges, identifying solutions that balance artistic intent, structural requirements, budgets, and timeline

Coordinate with Production Manager and Fabrication & Installation Manager to integrate design scopes into project planning, scheduling, and production execution

Ensure fabrication approaches meet structural requirements and can be executed safely and efficiently by evaluating structural considerations and material properties to inform design decisions

Assess buildability to identify potential fabrication challenges and propose solutions in collaboration with Fabrication & Installation Manager

Identify when structural engineering review is required and coordinate with external consultants, provide design drawings for analysis, and ensure their specifications are incorporated in fabrication drawings

Manage design work for digitally fabricated components using CNC milling, laser cutting, 3D printing, and emerging technologies

Oversee digital fabrication operations, including equipment selection, workflow optimization, and capacity planning

Determine appropriate digital fabrication processes based on design requirements, material properties, and project constraints

Create fabrication-ready files including tool paths and nesting layouts

Supervise the Digital Fabrication Specialist, delegating shop drawing production and fabrication tasks while maintaining design oversight

Manage equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and coordinate support with vendors

Foster a collaborative, creative, and safety-focused work environment

Collaborate with the Production Manager on cost estimating for fabrication scopes, informing material quantities, labor hours, and digital fabrication approaches

Monitor design schedules and deliverables across multiple concurrent projects

Work with Production Manager and Fabrication & Installation Manager to develop fabrication plans that maintain design integrity while remaining budget-conscious and on-schedule

Support overall departmental and organizational goals as set by the Director of Public Art and leadership

Qualification

3D CAD applicationsDigital fabrication processesDesign managementStructural analysisProject coordinationCommunication skillsProblem-solving skillsFlexibility

Required

A keen interest and deep commitment to supporting the creative expressions of artists

4+ years of experience in a design-fabrication shop, with demonstrated design ability and portfolio showing complex design work, fabrication strategies, and completed projects

At least 2 years of experience in managing others and overseeing design work

Exceptional design and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate artistic concepts into buildable fabrication approaches

High proficiency with 3D CAD applications (Rhinoceros 3D, Fusion 360, Solidworks, AutoCAD, etc.) for creating models, drawings, and fabrication files

Strong understanding of fabrication processes across multiple disciplines, including metalwork and woodworking

Deep knowledge of digital fabrication processes, including CNC milling, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, 3D printing, and ability to program and operate equipment

Working knowledge of structural principles and material properties sufficient to make informed decisions and collaborate effectively with engineering consultants

Experience creating and reviewing shop drawings, assembly details, connection details, and fabrication-ready files

Excellent communication skills with ability to explain design concepts and fabrication approaches to artists, clients, and fabricators

Strong project coordination skills with ability to manage design work across multiple concurrent projects

Flexibility and comfort working in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments with evolving project scopes