Head of Digital Fabrication

TTS Studios partners with artists, brands, and creative teams to transform ambitious ideas into expertly-crafted experiences. From touring Broadway shows and museum exhibits, to premium events and experiential marketing installations, to permanent sculptures and architectural build-outs; every project we build is custom. Our 40,000-square-foot facility in North Charleston combines traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing, including CNC routing, waterjet cutting, metal fabrication, woodworking, paint, engineering, and digital design.

About the role

We are seeking a Head of Digital Fabrication to lead the team, processes, technology, and physical workspace of our Digital Fabrication Department. This department serves as the bridge between Technical Design and Production, turning digital models and drawings into accurate, efficiently-manufactured components through CNC programming, routing, waterjet cutting, and disciplined production planning.

This is not simply a CNC programming position. The Head of Digital Fabrication is a working department leader who programs complex work, guides technicians and operators, plans the cutting sequence that keeps the rest of the shop moving, and builds reliable systems for machine readiness, file management, maintenance, material flow, scrap control, and continuous improvement. The equipment includes CR Onsrud Routers and a Flow Waterjet.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable at a computer, beside a machine, and in a production meeting. They do not need to arrive knowing how to repair every possible machine failure; they do need the technical curiosity, mechanical judgment, and troubleshooting discipline to find the answer.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and develop the Digital Fabrication team, including daily work assignments, performance accountability, cross-training, and team development.
• Own CNC programming and machining strategy for the department, including CNC routers, waterjet equipment, and future digital fabrication technologies.
• Translate production-ready CAD files and technical drawings into accurate machine programs; review files for manufacturability and resolve missing information, geometry, fit, or tool-access concerns before material is cut.
• Develop efficient nests and machining plans, including tooling, feeds, speeds, cut order, work-holding, machine assignment, and clear setup reports for operators.
• Plan and prioritize programming and cutting work based on production sequence, critical-path needs, project deadlines, material availability, and the needs of downstream departments.
• Coordinate closely with Technical Design (engineering), Project Management, the Director of Production, and other department heads to resolve questions, communicate priorities, and prevent production delays.
• Maintain accurate workflow visibility in Asana and consistent standards for file naming, programming archives, machine code, reports, tool libraries, templates, software licenses, and support resources.
• Delegate machine operation and setup work for the team; provide clear handoffs, training, troubleshooting support, and quality checks before parts leave the department.
• Ensure machines remain production-ready through preventive maintenance, inspections, spoilboard care, vacuum and dust-collection maintenance, and maintenance documentation.
• Diagnose machine, software, tooling, electrical, mechanical, and workflow problems using logical troubleshooting, technical documentation, manufacturer support, and outside service when appropriate.
• Manage tooling, consumable, and routine material inventory; anticipate needs and coordinate purchasing early enough to prevent avoidable interruptions.
• Own department organization and material flow, including sheet and plate storage, project materials, access paths, machine clearances, reusable scrap, remnants, waste hoppers, dust, debris, and disposal planning.
• Participate in production and company operating meetings; identify issues, provide useful project feedback, and escalate schedule, quality, staffing, or equipment risks early.
• Research and implement improvements to tooling, software, programming standards, equipment, automation, maintenance, layout, training, and documentation that improve quality, capacity, reliability, material yield, and scalability.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience programming and operating CNC equipment in a custom, high-mix manufacturing or fabrication environment.
• Proficiency with AlphaCAM or comparable CAM software; strong candidates with transferable CNC programming experience will be considered.
• Working knowledge of nest-based CNC routers, including tooling, feeds and speeds, work-holding, spoilboards, cut quality, nesting, and material optimization.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, 2D and 3D CAD files, layer standards, and dimensions.
• Demonstrated leadership ability and experience directing, training, or developing technicians, operators, or other production employees.
• Strong understanding of fabrication sequence and the ability to prioritize work so downstream departments receive the right parts at the right time.
• Mechanical aptitude and a disciplined troubleshooting mindset; ability to research unfamiliar problems, follow technical documentation, work with support resources, and determine when outside service is required.
• Working knowledge of common sheet and plate materials, including plywood and other wood products, plastics, composites, aluminum, and steel.
• Strong computer, file-organization, and communication skills; ability to work consistently within shared project folders, Asana, and other production systems while giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Adaptability and composure in a deadline-driven environment with non-negotiable completion dates, including willingness to work overtime and weekends when project schedules require it.
• Formal education in manufacturing, engineering, design, or a related field is welcome but not required; demonstrated technical ability, judgment, and leadership matter most.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience programming and operating waterjet cutting systems.
• Advanced AlphaCAM experience, including nesting, tool libraries, reports, post-processors, and workflow standardization; experience with AutoCAD, Fusion, Vectric Aspire, or comparable CAD/CAM software is also valuable.
• Experience in scenic construction, experiential fabrication, architectural millwork, exhibit fabrication, sign manufacturing, or another high-mix custom production environment.
• Experience managing preventive maintenance, software support, or manufacturer service relationships for CNC equipment.
• Experience reducing scrap, developing training materials, improving manufacturing processes, or implementing laser cutting, tube processing, robotics, additive manufacturing, or other emerging fabrication technologies.
• Experience using project management software such as Asana.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Drive.

Benefits

• 15 total days of PTO (10 PTO days + 5 Holiday/Flex Days) to be used at the employee’s discretion; approval required.
• Employer contribution to employee medical insurance (after 30 days).
• Option to enroll in dental and vision insurance (after 30 days).
• Matching 401k plan (after 90 days).

Schedule

Monday through Friday onsite, 7:00am to 3:30pm; 40 hours of work expected per week. Overtime and weekend work required as needed to meet project deadlines.

Pay

$35 per hour with flexibility based on experience and leadership ability. Regular performance-based reviews and wage growth potential.

This position is fully on-site in North Charleston, South Carolina and reports to the Director of Production.