Exhibits Specialist (Fabrication) IS-1010-11

Application deadline: 23 October 2026. Department: Smithsonian Institution Exhibits. Location: Landover, MD. Position type: Trust Fund (Indefinite appointment). Schedule: Full time. Position sensitivity: Non‑Sensitive/Low Risk. Open to all qualified applicants eligible to work in the United States.

About the role

This position is located in Smithsonian Exhibits (SIE), Smithsonian Institution, in Landover, Maryland. The incumbent reports to the Head of Production, SIE. Smithsonian Exhibits is the Smithsonian‑wide resource for exhibit planning, design, and production, providing expertise and support to all public‑facing exhibit functions within Smithsonian museums, research centers, and offices. SIE supports the Smithsonian's mission to connect American and international audiences with the richness of Smithsonian content and collections by:

• Providing the highest quality exhibit design, interpretive writing, project management, graphic production, model and mount‑making, fabrication, and installation.
• Partnering with Smithsonian museums and offices to augment in‑house capabilities.
• Serving as a professional resource for Smithsonian and outside museum colleagues.

The Production Shop comprises two groups — Fabrication and 3D Studio — responsible for the creation, fabrication, and installation of three‑dimensional exhibit components such as dioramas, models, mounts, interactives, and structures (platforms, cases, pedestals) using a variety of materials and methods. Work includes detailing, prototyping, woodworking, welding and metalworking, acrylic fabrication, 3D scanning/printing, mount making, finishing, and installing, with significant use of CAD/CAM technology. The purpose of this position is to perform a full range of production and related tasks in the preparation and installation of museum exhibitions of complex nature, each with unique challenges including specialized techniques and unique materials. The role requires dedication to occupational safety, excellent communication and facilitation skills, a commitment to customer service and teamwork, and respect for the varied expertise and skills of Smithsonian Exhibits.

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian, funded from the endowment, business revenue, donations, grants, and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. Salary ranges are generally the same as for federal positions, and trust and federal employees often work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program (detailed in the Benefits section).

Responsibilities

Prepares and produces finished exhibit elements: Working from conceptual ideas, scale layouts, detailed design drawings, or digital files, the incumbent prepares and produces finished exhibit components including models, facsimiles, dioramas, metal and acrylic mounts, exhibit cases and vitrines (using the Frank™ system), panels, platforms, and unique one‑of‑a‑kind structures. Components must be rugged to withstand vandalism, handling, and high‑traffic areas. Traveling portable exhibits must be designed and built for ease of disassembly, packing, shipping, and reassembly by persons unfamiliar with exhibit fabrication.

The incumbent utilizes a wide variety of materials — plastics, epoxies, adhesives, plaster, clay, wood, composites, laminates, metals — and determines the most appropriate technique and approach for each assignment, selecting materials while applying a high degree of technical and artistic skill. Work involves computer applications to manipulate and send files to printers or plotters; operating large routers and shop machinery; matting and framing; milling wood and other construction materials; assembling components; cleaning and repairing 3D prints; finishing; and installing.

The incumbent works with project managers, designers, curators, and other museum professionals from a range of disciplines, accepts responsibility for their part in project production, and at times works in a team setting. Duties may include researching and identifying proper materials; assisting in project estimating; providing feedback on designs and/or drawings; specifying and/or ordering supplies; directing the work of others or acting as point person during a project; and representing the department as needed. The incumbent may assign tasks, evaluate progress, report on project status, and assess a project at completion, alerting the supervisor to potential problems and recommending changes to overcome difficulties.

Equipment operation and maintenance: Operates, maintains, and/or manages equipment for exhibits production or maintenance, ranging from small power tools to machinery and CNC equipment. Observes all safety and environmental regulations, demonstrates knowledge and practice of safety procedures, PPE, tool guarding, and general shop safety etiquette. Ensures the shop is clean and orderly, performs regular maintenance on equipment, and stays current on industry standards, new technologies, and changes.

CAD/CAM and prototyping: Details components or submitted digital files using CAD/CAM software such as Rhino, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Inventor, or Mastercam. May create small