Scenic Charge Artist

Job Title: Scenic Charge

Company: SFDS (Scenic Fabrication and Design Shop)

Location: Brooklyn & New York City (projects across NYC & surrounding areas)

Salary: Starting at $95,000/year (commensurate with experience)

Employment Type: Full-time

About SFDS

SFDS is a fast-paced scenic fabrication and design shop working across theater, events, installations, and brand activations. We specialize in turning ambitious creative concepts into physical reality—cleanly, efficiently, and with a strong attention to detail.

Position Overview

We’re looking for a Scenic Charge to lead the paint department and oversee the execution of all scenic finishes. This role sits at the intersection of artistry and operations—you’ll be responsible for maintaining visual quality while managing people, timelines, and shop workflow.

You should be equally comfortable mixing a custom finish, leading a team under pressure, and collaborating with designers, fabricators, and project managers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all scenic painting projects from sample to final execution
• Interpret design renderings and translate them into finished surfaces
• Mix and match paints, stains, and textures to achieve desired effects
• Create samples and mockups for client/design approval
• Supervise and schedule scenic artists and freelance painters
• Maintain paint inventory, tools, and shop organization
• Ensure projects are completed on time and within budget
• Collaborate closely with fabrication, design, and production teams
• Uphold safety standards and best practices in the shop

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in scenic fabrication, scenic painting, and team management
• Strong portfolio demonstrating a range of scenic finishes (wood grains, metals, aging, faux finishes, etc.)
• Experience leading a team or managing projects in a shop or production environment
• Solid understanding of materials, tools, and painting techniques
• Ability to read drawings, renderings, and technical plans
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

Preferred

• Experience in theater, events, or experiential production
• Familiarity with CNC, carpentry, or fabrication processes
• Network of freelance scenic artists

What We Offer

• Competitive starting salary of $95,000/year
• Opportunity to work on diverse, high-impact creative projects
• Collaborative and hands-on shop environment
• Growth potential within a scaling company

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Resume
• Portfolio (required)
• Brief note about your experience leading teams and managing scenic work

Send applications to: [email protected] with subject line: Scenic Charge Application – [Your Name]

Pay: From $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Work Location: In person