Technical Design Manager

Location: New York

Powerhouse Arts is a not‑for‑profit organization committed to creative expression. Housed in a purpose‑built facility in Brooklyn, the organization hosts an extended network of art and fabrication professionals and educators who work together to co‑create and share artistic practices vital to the well‑being of artists and the communities to which they serve. Our facilities house fabrication services, production services, production spaces, and member workshops for artisans.

In 2025, PHA welcomed thousands of patrons as the building became a center for art and performance.

As the organization continues to grow and expand its impact, PHA is seeking a Technical Design Manager who translates artistic vision into buildable solutions by developing fabrication strategies and managing the creation of shop drawings, 3D models, and fabrication files for all Public Art department projects. This role informs material selections, connection approaches, and assembly sequences while collaborating closely with the Fabrication & Installation Manager on buildability and fabrication execution.

Reporting to the Director of Public Art, the Technical Design Manager oversees digital fabrication operations and equipment and supervises the Digital Fabrication Specialist. The ideal candidate for the role will have exceptional design skills, a deep understanding of diverse fabrication processes, strong structural knowledge, and the ability to create comprehensive drawings and models for ambitious installations in public spaces, galleries, museums, and cultural institutions.

Responsibilities

• Design Management
- Translate artist sketches, concepts, and design intent into buildable fabrication strategies across diverse materials, including metal, wood, textiles, acrylic, and novel materials.
- Determine material selections, connection approaches, finishes, and assembly methods in collaboration with the Fabrication & Installation Manager and project teams.
- Develop assembly sequences and determine jigs/fixtures needed for fabrication.
- Oversee production of shop drawings, plans, elevations, sections, and 3D models, while working closely with the Digital Fabrication Specialist to ensure accuracy, buildability, and alignment with design intent.
- Collaborate with the Fabrication & Installation Manager to solve complex fabrication challenges, identifying solutions that balance artistic intent, structural requirements, budgets, and timelines.
- Coordinate with Production Manager and Fabrication & Installation Manager to integrate design scopes into project planning, scheduling, and production execution.

• Structural Analysis & Engineering Coordination
- Ensure fabrication approaches meet structural requirements and can be executed safely and efficiently by evaluating structural considerations and material properties to inform design decisions.
- Assess buildability to identify potential fabrication challenges and propose solutions in collaboration with the Fabrication & Installation Manager.
- Identify when structural engineering review is required and coordinate with external consultants, provide design drawings for analysis, and ensure their specifications are incorporated in fabrication drawings.

• Digital Fabrication Production & Team Management
- Manage design work for digitally fabricated components using CNC milling, laser cutting, 3D printing, and emerging technologies.
- Oversee digital fabrication operations, including equipment selection, workflow optimization, and capacity planning.
- Determine appropriate digital fabrication processes based on design requirements, material properties, and project constraints.
- Create fabrication‑ready files including tool paths and nesting layouts.
- Supervise the Digital Fabrication Specialist, delegating shop drawing production and fabrication tasks while maintaining design oversight.
- Manage equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and coordinate support with vendors.
- Foster a collaborative, creative, and safety‑focused work environment.

• Project Collaboration & Coordination
- Collaborate with the Production Manager on cost estimating for fabrication scopes, informing material quantities,…