Hands-On Fabrication & Installation Manager Fantasy Lab Studios Davie /

Fort Lauderdale, FL Full-Time, In-Person Pay:

$28-$32 per hour during an initial 60-day evaluation period, based on experience. Successful performance may lead to a long-term management compensation package with additional growth and performance-based earning potential. Job Summary Fantasy Lab Studios is seeking a hands-on Fabrication & Installation Manager to oversee day-to-day production, shop operations, equipment use, team coordination, and on-site installations. This role is responsible for taking approved projects from production through final installation. The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, comfortable working with a variety of fabrication equipment, able to lead a team, and capable of solving problems independently in a fast-paced project-based environment. The position requires someone who can manage both people and production. The right candidate should be comfortable operating equipment, learning new machinery, troubleshooting technical issues, organizing the shop, directing staff, and overseeing field installations. Responsibilities Oversee daily fabrication and production activities. Manage multiple active projects and keep work progressing toward deadlines. Assign tasks and provide direction to production staff. Monitor project progress and identify delays or production issues early. Operate and oversee equipment including CNC routers, 3D printers, large-format printers, flatbed printers, vinyl equipment, woodworking tools, and related machinery. Learn and help implement new machinery and production processes. Troubleshoot equipment and production problems. Coordinate materials, tools, hardware, and supplies required for production. Maintain shop organization, cleanliness, and production readiness. Oversee inventory checks and identify materials or supplies that need to be replenished. Coordinate project staging, loading, transportation preparation, and installation readiness. Lead or supervise field installations. Manage installation crews and ensure team members understand their responsibilities. Address on-site issues and make practical decisions to keep installations moving. Coordinate project breakdowns and removals when required. Support team members with technical and operational guidance. Help improve production efficiency, workflow, and shop organization. Qualifications Previous experience in custom fabrication, scenic production, signage, exhibits, woodworking, printing, event production, millwork, manufacturing, installation, or a related field. Previous experience supervising or leading a production, fabrication, or installation team. Strong mechanical aptitude and interest in machinery. Ability to learn unfamiliar equipment and processes. Experience working with multiple fabrication methods or production technologies. Strong organizational and problem-solving skills. Ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines. Ability to lead employees and maintain accountability. Strong communication skills. Ability to work independently and make sound decisions. Comfortable working in a hands-on production environment. Preferred Experience Experience with any combination of the following is highly valued: CNC routing Large-format printing Flatbed printing Vinyl cutting and application 3D printing Woodworking Power tools Painting and finishing Mechanical troubleshooting Basic electrical troubleshooting Inventory management Production scheduling Crew supervision Field installations Reading drawings, measurements, and production plans Schedule Fantasy Lab Studios operates on a project-based schedule. Work hours may vary depending on production and installation requirements. Some projects may require evening, overnight, weekend, or extended-hour installations. Slower production periods may be used for inventory, shop organization, equipment maintenance, cleanup, and preparation for upcoming projects. Physical Requirements Ability to stand for extended periods. Ability to work around fabrication machinery and production equipment. Ability to safely lift and move materials associated with fabrication and installation work. Ability to participate in on-site installations when required. What We Value We are looking for someone who takes ownership of their work, enjoys machinery, solves problems, and takes pride in seeing projects completed correctly. The strongest candidate will be someone who can step into an active project, understand what needs to happen next, organize the team, and keep the work moving without constant supervision. This is the version I'd actually post on Indeed. It reads like a normal professional JD while still filtering for the exact kind of person you want.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$28.00 - $32.00 per hour Application Question(s): Are you comfortable participating in hands-on fabrication and installations, including lifting and moving production materials as required? How many years of hands-on experience do you have in custom fabrication, scenic production, signage, exhibits, woodworking, printing, event production, millwork, or a similar production environment? Which fabrication equipment or processes have you personally operated or worked with? Please include any experience with CNC routers, 3D printers, large-format or flatbed printers, vinyl, woodworking equipment, painting/finishing, or other machinery. Describe a time a machine, production process, or project was not going as planned. What did you personally do to solve the problem and keep the work moving? Have you previously supervised or led a fabrication, production, or installation team? If yes, what were you responsible for and how many people did you typically oversee? A project is due tomorrow, production is behind schedule, one team member calls out, and the installation is scheduled overnight. Walk us through how you would handle the situation. Are you comfortable with a project-based schedule that may occasionally include evening, overnight, weekend, or extended-hour installations?

Work Location:

In person