Job Description:

Position: Technical Design Lead

Employment: Full Time | 42.5 hours per week

Location: Shropshire, SY10 8ED

We are looking for an experienced, solution led and detail oriented Technical Design Lead to join our growing team. Reporting to the Production Director, this is a hands-on role for a high-performing Technical Designer who will set the benchmark for technical design quality, detail and innovation.

You will operate at both a high level and in detail, leading the technical approach on complex projects while personally producing exceptional design and drawing output. You will bridge the gap between creative design and delivery, developing practical, innovative and well-considered event and fabrication solutions that protect design intent and can be successfully manufactured, transported and installed.

Alongside your own project work, you will lead and develop the Technical Design team day-to-day, setting standards, reviewing output and helping other designers improve their technical judgement and capability. You will define and improve departmental ways of working, identify opportunities to advance our processes and technical capability, and continually challenge how we can deliver better quality work.

A key part of the role will be building strong, joined-up ways of working with the Creative Design team, creating a more effective transition from creative concept through technical development, fabrication and final delivery.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS JOB

As a Technical Design Lead daily responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the technical design of complex experiential, exhibition and live event projects, personally delivering exceptional event and fabrication design output and setting the benchmark for quality, detail, accuracy and technical problem solving across the department.

• Operate confidently from high-level event, site and spatial design through to detailed fabrication design, developing innovative solutions that consider creative intent, site and operational requirements, buildability, safety, cost, manufacture, transport and installation.

• Lead, mentor and support the Technical Design team day-to-day, providing clear technical direction and developing individual capability, technical judgement, problem solving and quality of output.

• Review, challenge and develop the work of other Technical Designers, providing clear feedback and ensuring consistently high standards across the team.

• Define and document ways of working within the department, driving drawing quality, consistency and industry-leading technical design standards.

• Own technical design approvals and feedback across connected project streams, ensuring technical output meets the required standard before progressing.

• Act as a key technical problem solver across event and fabrication design, advising on site design, spatial requirements, materials, construction methods, assembly logic, tolerances, installation techniques and fabrication methodologies.

• Work in partnership with the Creative Design team to develop joined-up ways of working and translate conceptual designs into detailed, production-ready solutions, maintaining design integrity throughout technical development, fabrication and installation.

• Oversee technical design through fabrication and on-site delivery, resolving technical queries and ensuring final builds and installations align with technical and creative intent.

• Drive continual improvement and innovation across event design, fabrication methods, drawing efficiency, modular thinking, materials, digital tools and project delivery.

• Identify and drive opportunities to advance the technical capability, challenging existing approaches and introducing improvements in design, fabrication, systems and ways of working.

• Stay current with emerging developments in event design, fabrication, materials, manufacturing techniques and digital tools, applying relevant developments to improve technical output and capability.

WHY YOU’LL SUIT THIS ROLE

Successful candidates will have a strong background in Technical Design and be comfortable working in an office environment whilst also supporting design and fabrication directly on the workshop floor and on site. You will be methodical, collaborative, thorough and focused, with the maturity to lead design discussions, make informed decisions and set a high standard through your own work.

You will have:

• 5+ years of Technical Design experience, with a strong track record of delivering complex event and fabrication projects from high quality design concepts through to final build and installation.

• Exceptional technical drawing and detailing ability, with a strong understanding of drawing standards and the information required for manufacture and site delivery.

• Strong knowledge of fabrication techniques, including cabinetry, timber construction, metalwork and mixed materials, with the ability to balance aesthetics with technical feasibility.

• Strong knowledge and experience of event and site design, with the ability to consider spatial planning, site constraints, installation, operation and de-rig as part of the technical design process.

• Proficiency in 3D modelling software and advanced skills in 2D technical drawing and drafting, with a solid understanding of manufacturing standards.

• Demonstrated experience in design for manufacture, with the ability to consider cost efficiency, weight, transport, installation and production complexity during the design process.

• Experience mentoring or guiding other designers, reviewing technical output and improving standards and ways of working.

• Exceptional problem solving skills, technical judgement and attention to detail, with a solution oriented and methodical approach.

• The confidence to challenge existing approaches and identify better technical, manufacturing or workflow solutions.

• Excellent communication skills – able to work collaboratively across Technical Design, Creative Design, Production, Workshop and external partners, translating technical requirements across disciplines with clarity and diplomacy.

• Proven ability to prioritise and organise workload efficiently across multiple projects in a fast-paced production environment.

• A full driving licence is required for this position.

Preferable Additions

• Knowledge of set build and the live event industry.

• Proficiency across packages including Fusion 360, Vectorworks and Rhino would be ideal, but experience with SolidWorks or Autodesk Inventor or similar also welcome.

• Experience developing technical design standards, workflows and departmental ways of working.