CAD Design & Engineering Manager

Meow Wolf•Santa Fe, NM

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Meow Wolf Inc. is seeking a CAD Design and Engineering Manager to lead a team of designers in creating 3D and 2D designs for various artistic productions, including structures, assemblies, animatronics, sculptures, and installations. This role involves collaborating with senior leadership to set expectations, mentor designers, and ensure project milestones are met. The manager will establish design and engineering requirements for external partners, oversee adherence to design parameters, and maintain safe design practices for in-house elements. Additionally, the role involves partnering with design leads to establish attachment details, cultivating the design skills of the team, identifying work efficiencies, and selecting appropriate tools and software. The CAD Design and Engineering Manager will also work closely with Production Designers/Technical Directors and the Show Design Team to translate concept models into buildable works of art.

Requirements

7+ years experience working as a CAD designer, fabricator, or draftsperson in the field of art production and/or entertainment
3+ years working in a design management role
Proven experience working on permanent guest-facing installations in the realm of art exhibits and/or themed entertainment
Able to create and review buildable 3D models, shop drawings, assembly plans, and installation drawings
Able to establish design requirements and direct engineering partners to complete specific design scopes for structural elements that will be built by Meow Wolf.
Able to manage relationships with outside design and engineering partners, establishing and managing a design schedule, hosting regular design reviews, and providing redline comments to ensure adherence to project parameters.
Proficiency in designing elements within life safety standard parameters and hazard mitigation
Experience running 3D load simulations required
Proficient understanding of machining and assembly tolerances, material properties, and fastener selection is required
Experience working with 3D printing, CNC operations, laser cutting, as well as reading and creating welding prints is required
Previous hands-on experience working with wood, metal, plastics, and general assembly is required
Possesses a solid understanding of how exhibit pieces need to be accessed for maintenance and cleaning once installed in a permanent exhibition
High proficiency in Rhino 3D, Fusion 360, and/or Solidworks modeling, with competence in other programs such as Grasshopper, Inventor, or Blender as a plus
Strong experience working with or as an engineer reviewing design models for structural integrity and different load cases
Experience working with CAM software - MasterCAM and RhinoCAM preferred
Excellent design skills, ability to track multiple projects, provide expert level design and engineering direction to in-house projects, and prioritize tasks within a fast paced environment of design and construction
A high degree of empathy, excellent interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor
Able to identify and diffuse interpersonal conflicts
Works with a high degree of accuracy, precision, and care
Demonstrates safe work practices at all times in our shop
Strong communication on task progress and time estimates is a must
Advanced mathematical skills and mechanical aptitude
Knowledge of fabrication industry safety practices and regulations
Google Suite proficient

Nice To Haves

Competence in other programs such as Grasshopper, Inventor, or Blender

Responsibilities

Operate as a CAD Design team leader and in-house Engineering authority within the AD&P Team in a 26,000 sq.ft. production facility
Manage and mentor a team of in-house designers creating 3D artistic and structural designs, shop drawings, load studies, and cut files to be translated into finished works of art by fabricators for Meow Wolf exhibitions
Manage all communications for outside engineering approval on design projects before they enter production
Partner closely with Production Managers throughout design and production of each element, and own the creation of design optimization strategies for in-house project work, striving to make great use of time and material spent on designs.
Verify material and fastener selection for designs before ordering.
Lead a series of design review sessions with designers on the CAD team and other design and fabrication specialists from the company to continually guide the success of our design work.
Lead the hand-off process when projects move from design to production, ensuring that all team members understand the details of the design as well as the production plan.
Represent the Artistic Development and Production team in larger project meetings, bringing back an understanding of the work needed to be done, and assist in formulating work plans along with Production Managers.
Continually refine Meow Wolf’s internal design and engineering safety standards, as they relate to the production of project work.
Confidently work with a variety of 3D design and drawing programs such as Rhino 3D, Fusion 360, and Solidworks, and help team members match the right software to the upcoming fabrication processes.
Identify design training needs and opportunities for designers on the Artistic Development & Production team, and work to advance the skills and knowledge base of the team.