Exhibit Fabricator

Boston Childrens Museum•Boston, MA

15h•Onsite

About The Position

The Exhibit Fabricator is a member of the Exhibits Team that is responsible for creating new exhibit experiences and maintaining and repairing all existing exhibits. The Exhibit Fabricator will work in close collaboration with the Exhibits staff and under the supervision of the Director of Exhibit Design to realize exhibit design concepts by building working prototypes and permanent exhibit components, and provide ongoing support for repairs and upgrades to existing exhibits. Using the Museum’s small on-site facility, the Exhibits Lab, the Exhibit Fabricator will primarily work with plywood, solid wood, composites, laminates, plastic, and metal. Components often involve some level of mechanical and electrical functionality. Projects involve all steps from layout to making and assembling parts, applying clear, stained, and painted finishes, and installing completed pieces in the galleries. The Lab does not have a CNC router, so the Exhibit Fabricator must have high-level skills at making custom parts using hand tools and simple machines. They will need to communicate clearly and coordinate with team members, and with third-party vendors who might provide elements such as graphics, electronics, or specially fabricated parts. The Exhibit Fabricator must enjoy working around children and families, must be open to giving and receiving feedback, and must thrive in a collaborative and friendly work environment. A successful candidate will have a strong portfolio that demonstrates a high level of detail and finish and a particular interest in imaginative and creative problem-solving.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of work experience and training in a cabinet shop or equivalent; a focus on custom fabrication and installation.
Interest and experience in making quirky things: unusual shapes, unusual combinations of materials, and very particular functional requirements.
Ability to read and interpret engineering, production, and shop drawings, and make and assemble parts as required.
Knowledge of standard fabrication and construction methods, hardware, and materials.
Advanced skills in cabinetry, carpentry, plastics fabrication, and/or metalworking; mastery of working with hand and power tools and standard shop machinery.
Knowledge of routine maintenance and repair of standard shop equipment.
Competency in engineering of mechanical and electro/mechanical interactive exhibits; familiarity with gears, sprockets, and motors.
Capable model-making, sketching, and rendering skills.
Ability to understand educational and experience objectives, and ensure these goals are met in addition to the mechanical/technical and safety demands of a project.
Ability to juggle multiple projects simultaneously, organize work load independently, and accomplish assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
Ability to work safely, efficiently, and accurately, and to match the level of finish to the goals of the project (prototypes do not need the same level of precision, durability and finish as permanent components).

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with industry-standard design software (Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, Fusion 360, Sketch-up).
Ability to operate CNC router, 3-D printer, and laser cutter, inclusive of generating digital files.
Knowledge of current electronic technology used in exhibit design: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, RFID readers, etc., and the incorporation of these components into exhibit design.
Valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

Create and install working prototypes and proof-of-concepts for new exhibit components to test for usability, durability and safety.
Participate in observation and evaluation of prototype testing; contribute to improvements, troubleshooting, and problem solving.
Contribute to design development and propose practical solutions as needed.
Create and install permanent exhibit components from frame to finish, including structural, functional, and decorative elements.
Observe performance and condition of existing exhibit components, and propose and perform fabrication and finish solutions for a range of repair, maintenance, and upgrade needs.
Participate in exhibit installations/de-installations of new exhibits, exhibit upgrades, and traveling exhibits.
Comply with documented operating procedures and maintain a clean, organized, and safe working environment.
Contribute to the general maintenance of tools and equipment.
Load/unload materials from trucks and help to keep the Exhibits Lab stocked with materials and supplies.
Exercise extreme care in ensuring all construction is safe for visitors and staff.
Contribute to estimating project costs and timelines, and finding solutions appropriate to project budgets.
Participate constructively as a member of a collaborative team.