CAD / 3D Production Designer
Location: Staines, Surrey
Employment: Full-time
Salary: 27 - 30k depending experience
Sector: Retail / Travel Retail / Experiential / Events / Production
We work with some of the world’s leading brands and agencies to turn creative concepts into real, physical experiences – from retail displays and point-of-sale installations to pop-up shops, exhibitions, experiential builds and high-end travel retail projects.
Our work can be seen across retail environments, airports and travel retail locations, events and branded experiences. We have extensive in-house capabilities covering design, CAD, production, print, fabrication, logistics and installation, meaning our designers get to see their work go from an initial idea through to something physically built and installed.
We are now looking for an experienced CAD / 3D Production Designer to join our growing team.
The Role
This is a hands-on design role for someone who enjoys taking an idea and figuring out how to actually build it.
You will work closely with our creative, project management and production teams to develop 3D models and detailed production drawings for a wide variety of bespoke retail and travel retail projects.
A typical project could involve designing a branded retail display, a semi-permanent airport installation, a product showcase, pop-up environment, experiential structure or bespoke point-of-sale unit.
You will take creative concepts and develop them into accurate, practical and manufacturable 3D designs.
This isn't simply a visualisation role. We need someone who understands materials, construction, manufacturing and the realities of taking a 3D model into production.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop accurate 3D production models from creative concepts, briefs, sketches and artwork.
- Produce detailed CAD drawings, construction drawings and manufacturing information.
- Translate creative designs into practical, buildable solutions.
- Consider materials, thicknesses, fixings, joints, tolerances and methods of manufacture.
- Design bespoke retail displays, POS, stands, structures, furniture, branded environments and experiential builds.
- Produce models and drawings that can be used directly by our workshop and production teams.
- Work with Project Managers, Creative Designers and Workshop/Fabrication teams to develop solutions.
- Make design amendments quickly and accurately in response to client or production requirements.
- Help identify potential manufacturing or installation issues before production begins.
- Prepare files and information for manufacture, CNC, cutting, fabrication and finishing where required.
- Assist with estimating by providing accurate quantities, dimensions and material information.
- Develop designs with transportation, installation and dismantling in mind.
- Where appropriate, visit the workshop or installation sites to understand how designs are being manufactured and installed.
- Maintain accurate project files and ensure drawings/models are issued correctly.
- Contribute ideas that improve the efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness of our production processes.
About You
We're looking for someone who is technically strong, practical and commercially minded, but who also enjoys working in a creative environment.
You will ideally have experience in retail display, shopfitting, exhibition, events, experiential, POS, interiors, fabrication or a similar production environment.
Most importantly, you need to understand that a good 3D design isn't just something that looks good on screen – it needs to be possible to manufacture, transport and install.
You should have:
- Strong experience using 3D CAD software.
- Excellent understanding of 3D modelling and technical drawing.
- Experience producing drawings/models for real-world manufacture.
- Good knowledge of materials such as MDF, plywood, acrylic, metal, aluminium, plastics and other display/fabrication materials.
- An understanding of fabrication and construction techniques.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- The ability to interpret creative concepts and turn them into practical solutions.
- The ability to work to deadlines and manage multiple projects.
- Good communication skills and the confidence to work with designers, project managers, production teams and suppliers.
- A practical, problem-solving approach.
- The ability to work independently while also being a strong team player.
Software
Experience with one or more of the following would be advantageous:
- Fusion 360
- AutoCAD
- SketchUp
- SolidWorks
- Rhino
- Other professional 3D CAD / modelling software
Experience with DWG, DXF, STEP and other production/CAD file formats would also be useful.
We are particularly interested in candidates who understand the difference between creating a model that looks right and creating one that is actually ready to manufacture.
Why Join Fuel4?
You'll be working on genuinely varied projects for some very recognisable brands, with no two projects necessarily being the same.
Our work covers retail, travel retail, experiential, exhibitions, events, interiors and bespoke builds. We have our own production facilities, workshop, print capabilities, warehousing and installation teams, so you'll be working within an environment where your designs can progress from concept → CAD → production → installation.
We also have significant experience delivering travel retail projects, including installations within major airports and duty-free environments worldwide.
This is an opportunity for a CAD/3D designer who wants to be involved in the whole production process, rather than simply producing drawings and handing them over.
The Ideal Candidate
You might currently be working as a:
3D Designer | CAD Designer | Production Designer | CAD Technician | Technical Designer | Design Engineer | Retail Designer | Exhibition Designer | Shopfitting Designer
If you have a strong 3D/CAD background and enjoy solving the practical challenges of turning creative ideas into physical products, we'd like to hear from you.
Apply
Please send us your CV along with a portfolio or examples of your 3D/CAD and production work.
We are particularly interested in seeing examples where you have taken a design from concept through to manufacture.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,000.00-£30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Laleham TW18 4YA: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
Language:
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
