Exhibition Designer Job San Francisco area,California USA,Design & Architecture

As a member of the Exhibition Design Department, the Exhibition Designer provides conceptual and technical expertise in designing museum artwork installations and exhibitions. Under direction of the Senior Manager of Exhibition Design and Director of Exhibition Management and Design, the Exhibition Designer develops and drafts floor plans, elevations, and other design drawings for temporary exhibitions and permanent gallery rotations with adherence to museum and ADA standards, considering curatorial, conservation, technical, and facility needs.

The Final date to receive applications is Monday, October 12, 2026, 9 PM PST.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Works closely with the Director of Exhibition Management and Design and the Senior Manager of Exhibition Design to assist in developing design concepts and producing sketches, layouts, and other drawings for temporary exhibitions and permanent collection rotations.

Prepares organized, accurate, and legible plans, elevations, renderings, and detailed construction drawings in accordance with strict deadlines and departmental software/drawing standard requirements. Makes adjustments and corrections to drawings during the design phase as requested.

Works closely and communicates regularly with the Curator, Conservator, Registrar, Exhibition Graphic Designer, Exhibition Project Manager, Director of Preparation, and Technicians throughout the design, construction, and installation process. This is a highly collaborative role that requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work positively and effectively with multiple stakeholders throughout all phases of an exhibition.

As assigned, prepares drawings of exhibitions and rotations incorporating existing inventory of exhibition furniture including cases, movable walls, mounts, platforms, and stanchions.

As assigned, is present during art installation to ensure execution of design intent and to field design-related questions and issues.

Maintains office pin-up board and public drive folder with up-to-date drawings of current and upcoming exhibitions.

Prepares and maintains an archive of exhibitions including as-built drawings and records of paint colors, finishes, casework details, etc.

Maintains an up-to-date library of paint samples, fabric samples, and other materials. Maintains comprehensive facility and exhibition gallery floor plans with up-to-date information regarding wall configurations, emergency exits, security cameras, lighting, electrical outlets, climate sensors, reflected ceiling plans, etc.

Maintains an organized electronic inventory system for all exhibition furniture, including temporary walls, pedestals, cases, and vitrines.

Coordinates with technicians to design exhibition build-outs and prepare orders for related building materials, fabric, furniture, paint, etc.

Provides layouts and architectural details to tour venues, artists, guest designers, and internal staff.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional:
Schedule

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Hybrid schedules are a minimum of 4 days a week onsite, with the understanding that schedules may change based on operational needs. The workweek is Monday - Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours per week.

Compensation

This is a union position eligible for the Museums' benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance and a generous time off package. There is a 7-step union pay scale for this position:
Step 1 (starting rate) is $39.46 per hour, Step 7 (max rate) is $52.88. Generally, new employees start at the beginning of the pay scale.

Final date to receive applications

Monday, October 12 at 9 PM PST. We plan to launch the interview process in October.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources .

COFAM is the Corporation of Fine Arts Museums and is the privately funded non-profit corporation which supports the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, a department of the City and County of San Francisco.

COFAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all phases of employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Comprising the de…