At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build bespoke special effects equipment for major live events and shows.
- Company: Join ER Productions, a leading global special effects and laser company.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health care, pension scheme, and 20 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth in the exciting entertainment industry.
- Why this job: Create jaw-dropping effects that captivate audiences worldwide and take ownership of your projects.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in mechanical or SFX design, CAD experience, and hands-on fabrication skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Want to design and build the special effects that headline the world's biggest shows?
ER Productions is a world-leading special effects and laser company, delivering flame, pyro, CO2, water, laser and bespoke effects for stadium tours, live events, film and installations worldwide.
A lot of what we use doesn't exist off the shelf, so we engineer and manufacture it ourselves.
This could be the job for you.
This role sits within FABER Entertainment Engineering, the in-house engineering arm of ER Productions, where we design, develop and build the equipment behind our effects.
For the right person there are genuine development and career opportunities as the business continues to grow, along with the chance to broaden your skills and take real ownership of what you make.
The role
Reporting to the Technical Director.
We're looking for an engineer who can take a bespoke effect from concept to working hardware, designing it in CAD and then making it on the workshop floor.
Sitting within FABER, our engineering team, you'll work alongside R&D and fabrication engineers at the intersection of mechanical design and hands‑on making, with a strong focus on fuel‑based flame systems using both gas (Propane/Butane) and liquid fuels (Isopar, IPA and similar).
You should be equally at home in CAD and standing at a manual mill.
This role is hands‑on across design, build and testing, and you will be responsible for making sure the equipment is safe for others to use and operate.
As an SFX Design & Manufacturing Engineer, what you'll do
- Design bespoke special effects equipment from concept through to manufacturable parts using CAD, including flame-system hardware, sheet metal and milled parts.
- Develop fuel‑based flame systems, both LPG and liquid fuel (Isopar, IPA and similar), including gas and fluid distribution, valves, regulators, ignition and interlocks.
- Manufacture parts and prototypes in‑house on the manual mill and lathe, on CNC mill, lathe and router, producing toolpaths in CAM.
- Build, bench‑test and iterate assemblies until they perform reliably, repeatably and safely.
- Own the safety of what you design, including risk assessment, ATEX reasoning for fuel systems, FMEA and compliance (UKCA/CE) as appropriate.
- Produce clear documentation (drawings, BOMs, assembly and test notes) and keep up to date with new manufacturing technologies and techniques.
- Minimum 2 years' proven experience designing bespoke mechanical or SFX equipment, ideally taking designs through to physical, working hardware.
- Hands‑on experience with fuel‑based systems, LPG and/or liquid fuel (Isopar, IPA and similar), including the associated safety considerations.
- Minimum 2 years' CAD experience (Autodesk Fusion ideal), creating 3D models and 2D technical drawings.
- Practical machining across manual milling, lathe, CNC machining and CAM programming.
- Working knowledge of electronics and controls, such as solenoid valves, ignition systems, sensors and interlocks.
- A sound understanding of relevant safety and compliance for fuel and flame equipment (e. g. ATEX, UKCA/CE).
- A relevant engineering qualification (e. g. HNC/HND or degree in mechanical engineering) or equivalent hands‑on experience.
- Background in live events, touring, film/TV, theme park or the wider entertainment industry.
- Autodesk Fusion specifically, including its integrated CAM.
- Awareness of functional safety and control‑system safety for ignition and interlock systems.
- Broader fabrication skills such as welding and sheet metal work.
- Relevant safety or compliance certifications (e. g. gas safety, ATEX/DSEAR awareness, or a recognised welding qualification).
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to sites occasionally.
- Design and build effects seen by audiences worldwide, on kit that mostly doesn't exist until you make it.
- Real ownership, taking projects from concept through to working hardware.
- A hands‑on, practical engineering culture where decisions get made quickly and your work has visible impact.
- Unusual, technically challenging effects systems to get your teeth into.
- Room to grow your skills as FABER and the wider business expand.
Package on Offer
- Salary: From £35,000, dependent on experience
- Participation in company bonus scheme (after probationary period)
- Bupa Health Care (after probationary period)
- Company Pension Scheme
- Apple Laptop
- 20 days holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas shutdown
A little about us
ER Productions is an international, award‑winning laser show & laser system design and special effects specialist, with credits spanning high profile events, advertising, television and worldwide concert tours.
Constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to the ongoing development, manufacture and sourcing of cutting‑edge laser & SFX products, we have the largest collection of laser solutions worldwide.
With offices in the UK, Spain, Australia and USA, ER Productions is perfectly placed to deliver systems and show‑stopping laser & SFX displays around the world.
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SFX Design & Manufacturing Engineer in Dartford employer: ER Productions
At ER Productions, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and innovative work culture. As a Financial Controller, you will not only play a pivotal role in our global financial operations but also benefit from extensive professional development opportunities in a fast-paced, creative environment. Join us in our dynamic London office, where your contributions will directly impact our ambitious growth strategy while collaborating with some of the biggest names in entertainment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SFX Design & Manufacturing Engineer in Dartford
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We think you need these skills to ace SFX Design & Manufacturing Engineer in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to ER Productions specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at ER Productions
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with ER Productions, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like ER Productions value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
