TAIT partners with artists, brands, IP holders and place makers to bring culture-defining, never-before-seen experiences to life.
With a legacy of innovation spanning over 45 years, TAIT has grown from pioneering in rock ‘n’ roll concert staging to setting the global standard for extraordinary live events and experiences through cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and creative design. TAIT’s 20 global offices have developed iconic productions and experiences in over 30 countries, all seven continents, and even outer space for renowned performers, theme parks, exhibits, and venues across the globe, including partnerships with Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, Royal Opera House, Nike, NASA, Bloomberg, Google, Beyoncé, and The Olympics
Purpose
The Senior Showset Designer is responsible for guiding a team of Showset Designers in transforming conceptual designs into tangible realities through detailed scaled models and drawings on projects. Senior Showset Designer directs and oversees Showset Designers during project execution, ensuring alignment with creative vision, technical feasibility, and project deadlines.
The Senior Showset Designer collaborates closely with the project management team and cross-disciplinary teams to guide the showset team in elevating, developing, and documenting scenic and physical elements that define the guest experience. With expertise in scale, construction methodologies, and design execution, they ensure that showset drawing packages effectively convey design intent to clients, vendors, and fabricators.
Essential Responsibilities
Design Leadership
- Serve as the primary showset expertise on projects, ensuring creative vision aligns with technical feasibility and operational requirements.
- Oversee the design development process, guiding the showset team’s work rather than executing routine drafting. Focus on innovation, problem-solving, and continuous improvement of deliverables.
- Review showset design packages (drawings, models, specs) for accuracy, consistency, and adherence to creative intent.
- Identify opportunities to enhance design efficiency, constructability, and guest experience throughout the project lifecycle.
Project Leadership & Workflow
- Lead a team of Showset Designers on large-scale projects, providing artistic direction, technical mentorship, and workflow prioritization.
- On smaller projects, may work independently as the sole showset authority, managing all design phases from concept to execution.
- Collaborate with Production Designers, Art Directors, and Technical Leads to uphold design intent across all deliverables for each project.
- Work with the Project Management team to develop and monitor workflow schedules and resourcing plans, adjusting priorities as needed.
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
- Act as the liaison between showset design and other disciplines (architecture/planning, tech, engineering, BIM, media, etc.), ensuring seamless integration.
- Liaise with vendors and subcontractors to refine construction methodologies and material specifications.
- Coordinate with Project Management to align design deliverables with milestones, identifying risks or bottlenecks early.
Quality Assurance & Process Improvement
- Establish and enforce best practices for showset documentation, ensuring clarity for vendors and internal teams.
- Conduct regular internal showset design reviews to validate team output, providing actionable feedback to elevate quality.
- Refine workflows and tools to optimize collaboration across teams and projects.
Additional Leadership Duties
- Present design strategies to clients, executives, and partners as the showset authority on projects.
- Contribute hands-on design work for mission-critical or high-complexity elements.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 8+ years of experience in themed entertainment, live events, or experiential design (or related industry).
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture, design, industrial design, or equivalent professional experience.
- Proven track record leading showset teams on large-scale projects and working independently on smaller projects.
- Technical Expertise
- Advanced knowledge of showset standards, including package development, technical drafting, and facility integration.
- Software proficiency (market-dependent):
- LBE/PLACEMAKING: Revit & AutoCAD (required), Adobe CC, Rhino, SketchUp,
- LIVE: AutoCAD (required), Inventor, Rhino, Adobe CC.
- BRAND: Vectorworks or AutoCAD (required), Adobe CC.
- Knowledge of safety/accessibility codes (e.g., IBC, ADA, ASTM) relevant to market.
- Leadership & Team Coordination Skills
- Self-directed leadership: Manages discrete project tracks with minimal oversight.
- Trains junior designers in technical workflows and design thinking.
- Cross-disciplinary coordination: Bridges creative, engineering, and fabrication teams (e.g., resolves BIM clashes, material substitutions).
- Industry Knowledge (market-dependent)
- LBE/PLACEMAKING: Scenic construction (foam, fiberglass, rockwork), facility integration, and guest flow optimization.
- LIVE: Theater/staging systems (trussing, automation, touring), advanced scenic techniques (thermoforming, 3D printing).
- BRAND: Event scenic construction, print production, and temporary installations.
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TAIT is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran or any other protected characteristic as outlined by international, national, state, or local laws.
