Shop Manager / Fabricator Jobs

Our San Francisco metal sculpture studio is seeking a talented, experienced and motivated team member to join us in a dual role of shop manager and fabricator. Michael Szabo Studio is a fine art sculpture studio with a focus on large scale, site-specific works in metal. We design, engineer and fabricate all our works at our San Francisco studio and our team travels as necessary for installation. To learn more about the studio and our work, visit www.szaboworks.com.

We’re looking for an exceptional artisan, craftsperson, problem solver, and creative thinker with a focus on fine metal fabrication and a passion for organization.The new hire will become a valued team member and help us keep pace with the demands of a growing scope of projects while continuing to maintain and improve our 5000 sq ft fabrication shop. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently and as part of a team. Our projects frequently go beyond the typical scope of metalworking, so our goal is to find an independent thinker that is experienced with, but not limited by, traditional metal fabrication techniques who can execute quality work while taking pride in maintaining the space and equipment needed to do so.

Compensation is based on experience. This is an hourly position, ranging between 30-40 hours per week, with healthcare, benefits and performance bonus.Specific hours and days may be flexible depending on the applicant’s situation and availability. Start date: ASAP.

In this dual role, the majority of your time will be devoted to fabrication of large-scale sculpture along with the Project Manager/Fabrication Lead and other fabricators.In addition, roughly 15% of your time will be spent on shop facilities & equipment management.Many of these responsibilities are ongoing and interwoven into the fabrication workflow, requiring an ability to multitask and switch gears seamlessly.

FABRICATION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interpret models, plans and shop drawings to implement the studio’s established processes and systems for fabricating the work, including parts processing, forming, fitting, fabrication, finishing, installation & maintenance.

• Work independently and in a team environment, i.e sharing workload and tools while collaborating to complete the job.

• Work with the team to streamline & execute projects from design to delivery by identifying and solving efficiency problems in everyday operations (creating a faster process for a periodic or project based operational task).

• Identify and address ongoing and new fabrication challenges by researching new products/techniques, testing new processes, and documenting/communicating findings to the team.

• Design and fabricate custom tools and jigs to address unique fabrication needs, as well as fixtures & various items for shop improvement.

SHOP MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage an inventory of materials and consumables.Reorder as needed and source new supplies.

• Assess and anticipate the needs of projects, ensuring required material is stocked and readily available.

• Maintain and improve upon the shop’s digital database systems for clear and well-organized management of inventory, tracking of maintenance & repairs, and documenting research & experimentation.

• Continually improve the facilities and workflow by developing and maintaining organizational systems, tool storage and management of shop consumables and supplies.

• Maintain a clean and well-organized shop by leading daily & weekly cleans for maximum productivity and safety.

• Assess and perform routine maintenance on shop equipment and machines, address repairs of major breakdowns.

Identify, prioritize and execute/delegate necessary shop improvement projects.

YOU MUST HAVE

• 5 or more years of professional metal fabrication experience

• Mastery of general metal fab processes: MIG, TIG, plasma, grinders, saws, rolls, brakes, benders, drill press, hand tools, etc.

• Experience with stainless steel and bronze fabrication & welding

• Fine metal finishing skills: angle grinder/sander, DA finishing, graining

• Understanding of shop drawings & layout processes

• Strong organizational and documentation skills

• Familiarity with Google Sheets & Docs, Mac OS

• Good written & verbal communication skills

• Ability to independently manage your own time between needs of the shop management duties and project fabrication schedules

WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE:

• A sculptor’s hand and eye - especially for curves and thinking in 3 dimensions

• A positive, friendly demeanor and sense of humor, open to dialogue and constructive criticism

• Proactive drive and motivation—always looking for ways to improve the efficiency of a process or quality of a product

• Self-accountability for quality work—even when no one is looking

• Standard construction & woodworking skills

• Experience operating a forklift

• Ability to drive manual transmission

YOU'LL STAND OUT IF YOU HAVE:

• Design skills and/or proficiency in design software (Rhino preferred)

• Extensive experience specific to metal sculpture fabrication: forming/fitting/welding/finishing

• Rigging & large-scale installation experience

• Relevant experience or skills we haven’t mentioned or even considered

To apply for this position, please respond with the subject heading “Metal Sculpture Shop Manager / Fabricator 2023” telling us about yourself and why you are a fit for our team. Please include a resume and any images or links to past projects you have completed or been involved with.Please do not call or visit the studio.