Technical Design & Project Engineer – Sculptures & Art Installations

Company: Art Smiley

Department: Technical Design & Project Delivery

Reporting to: CEO / Management

Position Overview

Art Smiley is seeking a technically strong and commercially minded Technical Design & Project Engineer to manage the technical development and delivery of bespoke sculptures, public art installations, architectural art features, metalwork, and other custom art and fabrication projects. The successful candidate will serve as the central technical focal point between the client, sales team, designers, artists, consultants, suppliers, and manufacturing partners.

The role combines engineering design, technical coordination, cost estimation, value engineering, material selection, fabrication planning, and project execution. The candidate will translate creative concepts and client requirements into technically feasible, commercially viable, and manufacturing-ready solutions.

The position requires an individual who can take ownership of the complete technical lifecycle of a project, from the initial sales enquiry and concept review through design development, pricing, technical approvals, shop drawings, manufacturing coordination, quality control, and final handover.

Key Roles & Responsibilities1. Technical Design & Engineering

- Review client briefs, architectural drawings, concept designs, renders, specifications, and tender documents to establish project requirements.
- Develop practical and cutting-edge technical solutions for bespoke sculptures, public art, decorative metalwork, architectural features, and custom installations.
- Lead technical design development, including dimensions, material selection, construction methodology, fabrication details, assembly, and installation requirements.
- Prepare or coordinate 2D drawings, 3D models, detailed shop drawings, fabrication drawings, sections, connection details, and material specifications.
- Evaluate materials and construction methods, including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, fiberglass/GRP, GRC, resin, timber, and other suitable materials.
- Coordinate structural engineering, foundation design, wind-load calculations, anchoring details, and specialist engineering approvals where required.
- Ensure designs are practical, safe, durable, maintainable, and suitable for the intended indoor or outdoor environment.
- Coordinate with external designers, structural engineers, consultants, and specialist subcontractors as required.

1. Sales Support & Technical Client Solutions

- Work closely with the sales and business development team from the initial client enquiry through proposal submission.
- Review project requirements and identify technical challenges, design opportunities, risks, and appropriate solutions.
- Attend client meetings and technical discussions to understand requirements and provide engineering-led recommendations.
- Translate creative concepts into practical, buildable, and commercially competitive solutions.
- Support the preparation of technical proposals, methodologies, specifications, preliminary drawings, and presentations.
- Recommend alternative materials, fabrication techniques, and construction methods to meet client budgets and programme requirements.
- Respond to technical queries, consultant comments, and requests for information (RFIs).
- Support the sales team in presenting technical solutions and explaining material, fabrication, durability, and installation considerations.

1. Cost Estimation,



Quantity Take-Off & Value Engineering

- Prepare preliminary and detailed cost estimates for sculptures, art installations, metal fabrication, and related bespoke projects.
- Undertake material take-offs, weight calculations, quantity calculations, and fabrication assessments based on drawings and specifications.
- Estimate material costs, fabrication labour, machining, welding, polishing, finishing, mould-making, subcontracting, transportation, lifting, installation, and other project costs.
- Obtain and evaluate quotations from suppliers, manufacturers, workshops, and specialist subcontractors.
- Develop clear pricing breakdowns, cost comparisons, technical assumptions, exclusions, and commercial clarifications.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities through design optimisation, material alternatives, fabrication methods, and manufacturing efficiencies without compromising specified quality or safety.
- Support the sales team in preparing competitive quotations, BOQs, tender submissions, and technical-commercial proposals.
- Review changes in scope and design and assess their impact on cost, programme, and manufacturability.

1. End-to-End Design & Manufacturing Coordination

- Act as the single technical point of contact between the client, internal team, design consultants, and manufacturing partners.
- Establish and manage the technical workflow from approved concept to detailed design, shop drawings, fabrication, finishing, inspection, and installation.
- Prepare and maintain a project-specific technical deliverables register, drawing register, approval tracker, and technical action list.
- Ensure the latest approved drawings, specifications, material selections, finishes, and revisions are communicated to the relevant stakeholders.
- Coordinate design reviews and resolve technical issues before production commences.
- Ensure that fabrication teams receive complete and coordinated manufacturing information.
- Review manufacturing progress and clarify technical queries raised by workshops and suppliers.
- Monitor design changes, manufacturing constraints, and potential programme delays, escalating issues promptly.
- Coordinate pre-production samples, prototypes, mock-ups, first-off inspections, and client approvals where applicable.
- Verify that the manufactured product conforms to approved drawings, specifications, finishes, and quality requirements.

1. Quality Control & Technical Documentation

- Establish project-specific inspection and quality requirements in coordination with management and the client.
- Review fabrication quality, welding, surface preparation, polishing, coating, dimensional accuracy, assembly, and finishing.
- Coordinate factory inspections, inspection reports, material certificates, test reports, and other required quality documentation.
- Identify defects and non-conformances, coordinate corrective actions, and verify rectification before dispatch.
- Maintain technical records, approved drawings, material submittals, method statements, inspection records, and as-built documentation.
- Support the preparation of operation and maintenance manuals, warranties, handover documents,



and maintenance recommendations where required.

1. Project Coordination & Delivery

- Coordinate technical deliverables against project milestones, manufacturing schedules, and installation dates.
- Identify design, procurement, manufacturing, and installation risks at an early stage.
- Coordinate with project managers and site teams on access, lifting, transport, assembly, foundations, anchoring, and installation methodology.
- Provide technical support during site installation, testing, snagging, and final acceptance.
- Ensure that design and manufacturing issues are resolved efficiently to minimise rework, wastage, delays, and additional costs.
- Maintain effective communication across all stakeholders and provide regular technical progress updates to management.

1. Continuous Improvement & Technical Development

- Develop standard drawing templates, estimation worksheets, material databases, fabrication details, and technical documentation.
- Establish repeatable processes for design review, quotation preparation, manufacturing release, inspection, and handover.
- Research new materials, fabrication technologies, finishes, and engineering solutions relevant to Art Smiley's business.
- Identify opportunities to improve design efficiency, product quality, manufacturing productivity, and project profitability.
- Contribute to the development of Art Smiley's technical capabilities for larger public art, hospitality, commercial, and architectural art projects.

Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Approximately 3–7 years of relevant experience in mechanical design, metal fabrication, product development, technical project coordination, or bespoke manufacturing.
- Experience in sculpture fabrication, architectural metalwork, public art, exhibition fabrication, decorative metalwork, or similar custom-engineered products is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret architectural drawings, engineering drawings, specifications, and 3D models.
- Experience in cost estimation, quantity take-offs, material calculations, and supplier quotation evaluation.
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes, welding, sheet-metal fabrication, machining, polishing, mould-making, and finishing techniques.
- Proficiency in relevant CAD and 3D design software, such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, or equivalent. Knowledge of Rhino, SketchUp, or similar visualisation tools is an advantage.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and technical documentation.
- Good written and verbal communication skills in English.
- UAE project experience and familiarity with consultant submissions, technical approvals, and fabrication coordination are advantageous.

Required Competencies
- Strong engineering judgement and practical problem-solving ability.
- Commercial awareness and an understanding of project cost and profitability.
- Ability to translate creative concepts into technically achievable solutions.
- Excellent planning, coordination, documentation, and organisational skills.
- Strong ownership and accountability for deliverables.
- Ability to communicate effectively with clients, artists, sales personnel, consultants, suppliers, and fabrication teams.
- Attention to detail and a proactive approach to identifying technical risks.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- A hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset suited to a growing and entrepreneurial business.

📌 Technical Design & Project engineer (India)
🏢 Art Smiley Biz
📍 India