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Director of Modelmaking & Fabrication

Outstanding craftsmanship, material intelligence, and modelmaking leadership for an award-winning architecture firm.

  • Part-time | Katonah office

  • Work hours are Fridays and Saturdays, 9:00am to 6:00pm.

  • Remote and hybrid work arrangements are not available for this role.

  • $30,000 to $40,000, commensurate with experience

Create Architecture That Matters

Are you passionate about physical making as both an art and a discipline? Do you enjoy translating architectural ideas into beautifully crafted models, mockups, and prototypes? Are you energized by rigorous thinking, exceptional craftsmanship, and meticulous execution?

 

If you are driven to produce work that is as intelligent as it is beautiful, we invite you to join our team.

About Siegel

Siegel, formerly Robert Siegel Architects, improves the built world one building at a time. From our studios in New York City and Katonah, New York, we design higher-education, civic, cultural, commercial, residential, and public-sector projects throughout the United States and abroad.

 

We design architecture that enriches the human spirit and improves daily life. We study how people move, work, gather, and experience a place, then translate those specific observations into architecture that is easy to use and beautiful to look at.

 

We seek clients with a clear mission. We unite functional clarity, high performance, technical innovation, and craftsmanship. We integrate planning, structure, building systems, and materials to make buildings intuitive, comfortable, durable, energy-efficient, and adaptable. We lead project teams toward sustainable solutions that meet budget and schedule requirements. Through critical thinking and close collaboration, we create architecture that reflects its time and feels as though it has always been there.

Responsibilities

You will lead the development of Siegel's modelmaking practice and physical fabrication culture across our Katonah and New York City studios. 

Responsibilities include:

  • Establish and manage the firm's model shop operations, equipment, materials, budgets, and safety.

  • Produce models from quick paper and cardboard studies to museum-quality basswood models.

  • Collaborate with architects and designers on models, mockups, prototypes, and fabrication studies, advising on methods and materials.

  • Research and implement new fabrication technologies, including 3D printing.

  • Cultivate a culture of craftsmanship and experimentation; mentor staff across the office.

  • Welcome visitors to our public-facing Katonah studio; support exhibitions and presentations.

Qualifications

Successful candidates will possess:

  • Intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to design excellence.

  • Exceptional craftsmanship, with demonstrated expertise in museum-grade basswood models, museum board, plastics, and mixed-media fabrication.

  • Significant modelmaking, fabrication, and shop-management experience, with strong carpentry skills.

  • Proficiency in Rhino and digital fabrication: 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling.

  • Exceptional communication skills and a collaborative, public-facing studio presence.

  • Bachelor or Master of Architecture, or a degree in a related design discipline.

  • Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Salary & Benefits

Siegel offers a competitive compensation package that includes:

  • Competitive salary

  • 401(k) with employer matching

  • Eligibility for discretionary profit-sharing contributions

  • Paid time off (PTO) as provided by applicable law

  • Professional development, mentorship, and opportunities for long-term career growth

How to Apply

If our work inspires you and you believe your talents align with our mission, we would love to hear from you! 

 

Please submit the following as PDF files to work@siegel.design:

  • Cover letter describing why Siegel is the right fit for you and why you believe you would be an outstanding addition to our team. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please describe your authorization to work in the United States.

  • Résumé: one page.

  • Portfolio: Submit academic or professional work that demonstrates your modelmaking and fabrication abilities, including physical models, mockups, prototypes, and fabrication studies, with particular emphasis on museum-quality craftsmanship and material detail.

    • Include only models, mockups, prototypes, and other materials personally created by you.

    • For each project, identify your role; the parts of work shown that you personally produced; and the materials, tools, or methods you used.

    • Do not include work created by colleagues, consultants, fabrication shops, photographers, or marketing departments.

    • Accurate attribution is essential. We want to understand how you think, make, communicate, and resolve fabrication problems. Portfolios that do not clearly distinguish your work from the work of others may not be considered.

Our Culture

Since our founding in 1991, we have believed that diverse perspectives create better architecture.

 

Our studio brings together architects with different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking because meaningful innovation comes from the exchange of ideas. We foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration, mentorship, and continuous learning, where every member of the team is encouraged to challenge conventions and contribute to the evolution of our practice.

 

Siegel is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status.

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