Technical Designer - Experiential & Theme Fabrication
Job Description
Technical Designer – Experiential Fabrication & Construction\n
Company: 3RD AVE
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Location: Monterey Park, CA (Los Angeles Area)
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Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site
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Compensation: Competitive Salary, Based on Experience
About 3RD AVE\n
3RD AVE is a full-service experiential fabrication and production company specializing in custom-built environments, brand activations, themed entertainment, retail installations, scenic fabrication, and large-scale experiential projects.
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Our team brings ambitious creative concepts to life through technical design, engineering coordination, fabrication, and installation. We work across multiple disciplines, including carpentry, metal fabrication, CNC, scenic finishing, and interactive technology.
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We are seeking an experienced Technical Designer who understands how things are actually built—not just how they are drawn.
Position Overview\n
The Technical Designer is responsible for translating creative concepts, renderings, and design intent into accurate, practical, and production-ready technical drawing packages.
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This is a hands-on, technically demanding position requiring strong knowledge of fabrication methods, construction materials, structural assemblies, and installation processes.
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The ideal candidate is more than a drafter. They are a technical problem-solver who thinks like a builder, understands the realities of production, and can develop practical solutions that balance design intent, budget, schedule, and fabrication efficiency.
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This position works directly with our Technical Design, Project Management, and Fabrication teams to ensure projects move efficiently from concept through production and installation.
Key Responsibilities\n
Technical Design & Documentation
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- Develop comprehensive technical drawing packages for custom fabrication, construction, and installation.
- Translate creative concepts, 3D renderings, architectural drawings, and client design intent into buildable shop drawings.
- Produce detailed plans, elevations, sections, assembly drawings, construction details, and material specifications.
- Develop accurate dimensions, tolerances, connection details, and fabrication methods.
- Prepare production-ready documentation for carpentry, metal fabrication, CNC, scenic, and mixed-material assemblies.
- Maintain accurate drawing revisions, file organization, and documentation standards.
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Fabrication & Construction Coordination
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- Collaborate directly with fabrication leadership, shop foremen, project managers, and installers.
- Understand the capabilities and limitations of different materials and fabrication methods.
- Design assemblies that are efficient to manufacture, transport, assemble, install, and dismantle when required.
- Identify technical conflicts, fabrication risks, and constructability issues before production begins.
- Incorporate feedback from fabricators, engineers, vendors, and installation teams.
- Assist with material selection, hardware specifications, and construction detailing.
- Support engineering coordination and incorporate structural engineering requirements into technical drawings.
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Production & Project Execution
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- Manage technical drawing deliverables across multiple active projects.
- Meet demanding production schedules while maintaining drawing accuracy.
- Respond quickly to drawing revisions, client changes, and shop-floor questions.
- Coordinate with project managers to ensure technical documentation aligns with approved budgets and project timelines.
- Conduct shop-floor reviews and assist in resolving fabrication challenges.
- Support installation teams with field measurements, technical clarifications, and as-built adjustments.
- Proactively recommend improvements to construction methods, material usage, and fabrication efficiency.
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Required Qualifications\n
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- 3+ years of professional technical design or drafting experience in fabrication, custom construction, scenic fabrication, themed entertainment, experiential marketing, retail environments, millwork, or related industries.
- Advanced proficiency in at least one of the following:
- AutoCAD
- Rhino
- SolidWorks
- Proven experience developing detailed shop drawings used in actual fabrication and production.
- Strong understanding of construction materials, including wood, steel, aluminum, plastics, composites, and mixed-material assemblies.
- Knowledge of fabrication techniques, assembly methods, hardware, fasteners, tolerances, and installation requirements.
- Ability to interpret architectural plans, engineering drawings, renderings, and conceptual designs.
- Experience creating fabrication-ready drawing packages with accurate dimensions and material specifications.
- Ability to work independently, solve technical challenges, and make practical design recommendations.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Excellent communication skills and willingness to collaborate directly with shop-floor teams.
- Ability to work full-time, on-site at our Monterey Park, California facility.
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Preferred Qualifications\n
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- 5+ years of technical design experience in a custom fabrication or production environment.
- Experience in experiential marketing, themed entertainment, museums, trade shows, retail environments, or scenic fabrication.
- Experience with CNC programming preparation, nesting, or production file development.
- Familiarity with SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Revit, or other BIM-based workflows.
- Experience developing modular, reusable, or knockdown construction systems.
- Understanding of rigging, structural steel assemblies, custom framing, and engineered installations.
- Experience coordinating directly with structural engineers and outside vendors.
- Familiarity with estimating materials, fabrication labor, and production methods.
- Previous hands-on experience in carpentry, metal fabrication, CNC, or construction is highly desirable.
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What Makes a Successful Technical Designer at 3RD AVE\n
We are looking for someone who:
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- Thinks like a builder: Understands how a drawing translates into physical construction.
- Works efficiently: Produces accurate drawings without unnecessary complexity or excessive drafting time.
- Solves problems proactively: Identifies missing information and develops practical solutions before issues reach the shop floor.
- Understands production realities: Recognizes the importance of budgets, deadlines, material availability, and labor efficiency.
- Communicates effectively: Works comfortably with designers, project managers, fabricators, engineers, and installers.
- Takes ownership: Accepts responsibility for drawing accuracy, technical decisions, and meeting deliverable deadlines.
- Values collaboration: Welcomes input from experienced fabricators and continuously improves technical solutions.
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Work Environment\n
This is a full-time, on-site position based at our fabrication facility in Monterey Park, California.
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Our technical designers work closely with production teams in an active fabrication environment. This includes regular interaction with carpentry, metal fabrication, CNC, paint/scenic, and installation departments.
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Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where projects frequently involve custom engineering challenges, tight deadlines, and evolving client requirements.
Compensation & Benefits\n
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- Competitive annual salary based on experience and qualifications
- Full-time employment
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement
- Exposure to high-profile experiential, entertainment, retail, and custom fabrication projects
- Collaborative working environment with experienced fabrication and production professionals
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Application Requirements\n
A portfolio is required for consideration.
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Applicants must submit examples of technical drawing packages demonstrating their ability to develop fabrication-ready documentation.
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Portfolios should include examples of:
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- Detailed shop drawings and construction documentation
- Plans, elevations, sections, and assembly details
- Material specifications and fabrication methods
- Completed projects demonstrating how technical drawings translated into actual built environments
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Important: We are specifically seeking candidates with real-world fabrication and construction detailing experience. Applicants whose experience is limited to conceptual design, architectural visualization, or 3D rendering without production documentation may not be a fit for this position.
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Join 3RD AVE and help turn ambitious creative concepts into exceptional built environments.