Design Lead

Downtown Fabworks•New Orleans, LA

7d•$65,000 - $75,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Design Lead (DL) is one of three core members of the Downtown FabWorks Project Team, alongside the Project Manager and Project Lead. The role owns the full design execution for assigned projects, from early schematic intent through client submittals and fabrication drawing release. The DL is the primary technical design voice throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring elements are documented, constructability is confirmed, and design deliverables reach the shop on time and to quality standards. The Design Lead produces complete design packages, manages internal drawing review and client submittals, tracks RFIs, and coordinates with clients, vendors, engineers, and department leads. The role also manages the design-to-shop handoff, co-leads site surveys, contributes to training and reporting, and reinforces company drawing standards, workflows, safety practices, and respectful workplace policies.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
3–7 years of progressive experience in technical design, drafting, or related scenic or architectural production environments.
Demonstrated independent project responsibility.
Proficiency in AutoCAD.
Experience with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
Experience with Bluebeam Revu for drawing review and submittal management.
Experience with Asana or equivalent project management software.
Experience with Google Workspace, including Docs, Sheets, and Drive.
Experience with payroll and time-tracking software.
Ability to travel up to 20% of the time for site surveys and field work.
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods and occasionally lift materials or equipment up to 30 lbs.
Ability to work near an active shop environment and wear required PPE during shop visits.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Rhino, Fusion 360, or SketchUp.

Responsibilities

Serve as Design Lead on assigned Project Teams and prepare for and attend pre-construction and kickoff meetings.
Develop initial schematic drawings and design coordination notes; participate in project touchpoints and communicate design risks and updates to the Project Manager and Project Lead.
Produce complete design packages, including 3D models, submittal drawings, fabrication drawings, cut sheets, and supporting documentation.
Follow company drawing standards, naming conventions, and sheet set requirements, ensuring scope is documented with actionable production information.
Manage internal review cycles for submittal and fabrication drawings using Bluebeam and Asana, including reviewer assignments, timelines, comment resolution or escalation, and revisions.
Oversee client submittal approvals and responses to Approved As Noted and Resubmit outcomes; coordinate engineer review of fabrication drawings when required.
Lead the development and tracking of RFIs with the Project Manager and coordinate with clients and outside vendors to verify technical requirements.
Execute the design-to-CNC and fabrication handoff according to the company handoff SOP; ensure drawings complete internal review and carry the Design Lead release stamp before shop release.
Coordinate with Department Leads to confirm constructability and resolve technical questions before production; verify CNC kits, including cut sheets, parts lists, and programming files, are complete and accurate.
Co-lead site surveys with the Project Lead, prepare field measurement checklists, and ensure findings are captured, reconciled with design, and distributed to the project team.
Produce daily departmental reports documenting labor allocation and project progress.
Contribute to the training and development of Junior Design Leads and reinforce drawing standards, workflows, and process documentation.
Maintain ergonomic and safety standards, enforce the anti-harassment policy, promote a safe and respectful work environment, and document and report incidents or injuries according to company policy.