JOB OPENINGS

MGA Sculpture Studio is an innovative workplace of public art and sculpture located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida’s Warehouse Arts District. Our focus is on larger-than-life work --- a 22’ tall stainless-steel Eagle in a full strike position; a 16,000lb full-scale replica of the first commercial airplane; or a 4,000 piece 15’ diameter acrylic chandelier, to name a noteworthy few. With a full schedule of projects through 2023 and beyond, we are in an exciting production and growth phase.
Take a look at our recent Job Openings.

Lead Sculpture Designer | CAD Fabrication Specialist

We are looking for someone who can work in a teamwork-valued environment- working closely with the Lead Artist and Fabricators to ensure designs are efficient, accurate, and buildable.

What to expect:

• Convert sculptural concepts into proposal-ready 3D CAD models

• Create waffled / ribbed / cross-sectioned structures suitable for large-scale fabrication

• Slice models into fabrication-ready components

• Lay out parts efficiently on flat sheets for water-jet cutting

• Generate clean, organized CAD files for direct machine output

• Collaborate with fabricators to resolve real-world build constraints

• Manage and help plan the technical execution of designs from screen to shop floor

Required Experience & Skills:

• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD software (Rhino, Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar)

• Proven experience preparing files for CNC / water-jet / laser cutting

• Hands-on experience designing waffled or sectional structures

• Solid understanding of materials, tolerances, and assembly logic

• Ability to work independently and take full responsibility of production files

• Clear communication skills and a positive, collaborative, solution-oriented mindset

Preferred Experience & Skills:

• Background in engineering, industrial design, architecture, or sculpture

• Creating technical drawings for engineering/permitting

• Efficiently nesting for production (preparing cut sheets)

• Z-brush or Blender experience (or comparable sculptural modeling applications)

Experience & Skills that are not required, but nice to have:

• Experience with large-scale or public art fabrication

• Parametric design experience (Grasshopper or similar)

• Familiarity with metal, wood, and/or composite fabrication

This role is not an Entry- level CAD drafting position. It is also not purely focused on conceptual or artistic work. It is a production driven, detail heavy, and fabrication/engineer-focused role! If you haven’t designed something that was physically cut and assembled from your files, this likely isn’t the right fit for you.

Education

• Engineering degree is preferred but not required

• Portfolio and fabrication examples are required

• Real-world output matters more than credentials

Compensation

$55,000 - $85,000, based on experience.

Compensation reflects the scope of responsibility, production demand, and opportunities for long-term growth within the studio.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a Resume, a Portfolio (showing fabricated CAD works), and a brief statement describing your role in the fabrication process to office@mgasculpture.com.

**Applicants must have prior experience creating fabrication-ready CAD files for CNC or water-jet cutting. **