Manufacturing Draftsperson

Burbank, CA

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a Manufacturing Draftsperson who has true command of Fusion and turns Show Production’s 3D designs into the 2D drawings our shop and vendors use to build. This is a hands-on, individual-contributor role, built for someone who has spent real time in the shop: we want a drafter who has built what they draw. The work is precise and high-volume, in a fast production environment where a clean drawing set is the difference between a part built right the first time and one that comes back. You will report to the Technical Show Production Lead and work alongside the designers and fabricators whose show elements and effects end up in real attractions, hotels, museums, and brand experiences. Day to day you will detail drawings, model and modify geometry, and coordinate packages with outside shops, and you will help set and hold the drawing standard the shop follows.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Produce complete 2D manufacturing and fabrication drawings from the 3D models created by Show Production, including the special effects team.
• Detail every drawing fully, with dimensions, tolerances, GD&T, materials, finishes, hardware callouts, weldment details, tabulations, and bills of materials.
• Build and modify 3D models in Fusion to support drafting, design changes, and fabrication.
• Clean up, repair, and prepare incoming geometry for documentation, and adjust models for fit, tolerance, fabrication method, and assembly.
• Work across our other primary tools as the job requires, mainly Rhino, AutoCAD, and Illustrator, moving geometry and drawings between them cleanly.
• Work with the designers and the shop so drawings reflect how parts are built: machining, welding, sheet metal, casting, and assembly.
• Turn redlines and design changes around quickly and keep drawing sets current through the build.
• Own and maintain the shop floor build books; compile as-built drawings at the conclusion of production.
• Coordinate drawing packages with outside machine shops and vendors, and resolve their questions during fabrication.
• Maintain drawing standards, title blocks, and revision control so every set is consistent, traceable, and ready for the shop.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Fusion Jedi. Deep, fluent command of Fusion 360 across both 2D drawing and 3D modeling. It is the primary tool for this role.
• Extensive first-person fabrication experience. You have built parts and assemblies with your own hands, and it shows in how you design/draw them. This experience matters as much as your CAD skill: for this role a strong builder who is also strong in Fusion is desired more than a pure CAD specialist.
• Cross-fluency across our other primary tools, mainly Rhino, AutoCAD, and Illustrator, with the ability to pick up others as the work demands.
• A proven track record of clean, complete, build-ready manufacturing drawings that a shop can work from without guessing.
• Solid command of GD&T, tolerancing, and standard drafting practice.
• Hands-on knowledge of fabrication methods, including machining, welding, sheet metal, casting, and assembly, so drawings reflect how parts are really made.
• Accurate, organized, and fast, with the discipline to keep drawing sets and revisions clean under real deadlines.
• Comfortable translating someone else’s 3D design intent into precise documentation without losing fidelity.
• A portfolio or sample drawing set that shows the quality and completeness of your work. Please include one with your application.
• 3 to 6 years of combined drafting and fabrication experience, or less with clear mastery of Fusion and a strong body of shop work.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• A fabrication background in custom automotive, applied research, or prototype build environments, which tends to translate well to this work.
• A pragmatic, build-first mindset. You reach for the approach that gets a good part made, not the most theoretically rigorous one.
• A background in industrial design.
• Experience detailing for fabrication in a themed entertainment, scenic, or custom manufacturing shop.
• Familiarity with sheet metal, weldment, and structural detailing conventions.
• An understanding of CAM and CNC workflows, and how a drawing drives the machine.
• Comfort working from evolving or incomplete design intent and closing the gaps sensibly.
• Experience with other CAD packages such as Inventor or SolidWorks.
• ZBrush or other organic modeling and sculpting tools.
• Rapid prototyping and 3D printing.
• Scripting against the Fusion API in Python to automate repetitive drawing and modeling tasks.
• Data management experience with Autodesk Vault or a similar system
• Skilled in designing and building precision jigs and assembly tooling.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing (TPS) principles to minimize waste and build repeatable process.
• Exemplary writing and communication skills
• Ability to comfortably and effectively communicate, both verbally in presentation and conversation, and written in correspondence to project team, vendors, consultants and AOA partner.
• Ability to give direction, adapt to change, establish relationships, work in a team environment, and produce results.

AOA Company Information

About Us

From hospitals and astronaut training facilities to restaurants, hotels, and attractions, AOA creates memorable and purpose-driven destinations that surpass expectations and resonate across audiences. As the leading design, production, and project management firm, our team is made up of experts with multifaceted skills that translate across departments, fields, and industries. We handle all aspects of the project life cycle from concept to completion. In short, AOA is as remarkable as the projects we support, and we welcome those who live and work with dedication to quality to join our team.

Benefits and Culture

At AOA, we take our work and fun very seriously, which is why we prioritize our team members above all else. Our culture is built on mutual respect, transparency, and the recognition that we all have personal lives and real obligations outside of work. We support our team members as people first, because we all do our best when we’re at our best. We are proud to provide a robust PTO package, a variety of insurance coverages, and both paid maternity and paternity leave. Our benefits include health and wellness benefits, commuter benefits, special reimbursements for cell phone use, athletic classes, and more. Ultimately, our company is nothing without our team members, and we do all we can to foster an inclusive, supportive, and high-spirited culture.

Core Values

AOA Vision - To dream, create, and build global experiences of a lifetime.

AOA Mission - To create and build innovative and transformative experiences that astonish and exceed

At AOA, we expect that all employees embrace and uphold our Company Values

Our Communication is rooted in authentic respect. We recognize that transparency is necessary for building trust and that professionalism is a shared responsibility in all situations.

Our Quality is the gateway to repeat business. We go above and beyond every project to exceed expectations and introduce innovation to novel challenges.

Our Leadership is empowered by organization-wide integrity. We are encouraged to do the right thing, both by acting with productive financial responsibility and by being creative and efficient problem solvers.

Our Teamwork is the foundation of our AOA Family and Community. We work collaboratively to promote diversity in all forms, champion inclusion, and sustain an environment where trust is paramount.

Our Balance is sacred to our quality of life. We want all of our team members to be present at work and in life, to devote time to physical and mental wellness, and to embrace the moment with fun and happiness.