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Scale Model Maker Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer

Glen Cove, NY ยท On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Create parametric 3D models and manufacturing drawings in Autodesk Fusion (or similar tools) for ... Employee discount on Allied Maker products Work Environment & Physical Requirements * On-site at ...

Create parametric 3D models and manufacturing drawings in Autodesk Fusion (or similar tools) for ... Employee discount on Allied Maker products Work Environment & Physical Requirements * On-site at ...

Design Engineer

Glen Cove, NY ยท On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Create parametric 3D models and manufacturing drawings in Autodesk Fusion (or similar tools) for ... Employee discount on Allied Maker products Work Environment & Physical Requirements * On-site at ...

... enabled model where human artistry meets machine speed. This role requires immense change ... Technical Literacy & "Maker" Mindset: A forward-thinking leader who understands the mechanics of ...

... enabled model where human artistry meets machine speed. This role requires immense change ... Technical Literacy & "Maker" Mindset: A forward-thinking leader who understands the mechanics of ...

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Scale Model Maker information

See New York salary details

$11

$18

$26

How much do scale model maker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for scale model maker in New York is $18.12, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.94 and $21.30 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by scale model makers on the job?

Scale Model Makers often encounter challenges such as interpreting complex blueprints, working with intricate components at miniature scales, and choosing the right materials for durability and realism. Meeting tight deadlines while maintaining high standards of accuracy and detail can also be demanding, especially when collaborating with designers, engineers, or clients with specific requirements. Additionally, adapting to new technologies like 3D printing and digital modeling can be essential for staying competitive in the field. However, overcoming these challenges can be highly rewarding and often leads to the development of valuable technical and creative skills that support career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a scale model maker?

To thrive as a Scale Model Maker, you need excellent manual dexterity, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of design principles or technical drawings, often supported by coursework or experience in model making, industrial design, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as precision hand tools, 3D printers, CAD software, and materials like plastics, wood, and metal is highly desirable. Creative problem-solving, time management, and effective communication skills help you excel when working on team projects and meeting tight deadlines. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing accurate, high-quality models that support design, engineering, or architectural projects.

What is a scale model maker?

A Scale Model Maker builds precise, small-scale replicas of objects, structures, or products for industries like architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. They use materials such as wood, plastic, and metal, often incorporating 3D printing and CNC machining. These models help visualize designs, test functionality, or present concepts to clients. Strong attention to detail and craftsmanship are essential skills for the role.

What jobs use scale models?

Scale model makers create detailed miniature versions of objects for various industries, including architecture, film, engineering, and product design. These professionals often work with tools like CAD software and modeling materials to produce accurate representations used for presentations, testing, or visual effects.

How do you become a scale model maker?

To become a scale model maker, you typically develop skills in drawing, painting, and working with various modeling materials through self-study, workshops, or formal education such as art or design programs. Gaining experience with tools like hobby knives, airbrushes, and modeling software, along with building a strong portfolio, can help you enter the field and find opportunities in hobby shops, studios, or freelance work.
What are the most commonly searched types of Scale Model Maker jobs in New York? The most popular types of Scale Model Maker jobs in New York are:
What are popular job titles related to Scale Model Maker jobs in New York? For Scale Model Maker jobs in New York, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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What cities in New York are hiring for Scale Model Maker jobs? Cities in New York with the most Scale Model Maker job openings:
Infographic showing various Scale Model Maker job openings in New York as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $37,684 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

Design Engineer

Allied Maker

Glen Cove, NY โ€ข On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Job description

The Design Engineer translates creative direction into buildable fixtures. Working on both new collection development and bespoke custom orders, this role produces detailed CAD models, drawings, and documentation that our shop floor, vendors, and installers can all build from. The Design Engineer partners closely with the design studio on aesthetics, with the Manufacturing Engineer on producibility, and with the Assembly and Quality teams on how a fixture actually comes together and gets inspected.
Key Responsibilities
CAD & Technical Drawings
  • Create parametric 3D models and manufacturing drawings in Autodesk Fusion (or similar tools) for collection and custom fixtures.
  • Produce clean, dimensioned drawings with tolerances, finishes, and notes appropriate to the vendor or in-house process.
  • Develop BOMs and maintain part revisions in NetSuite with support from the Systems Engineer.

New Product & Custom Development
  • Partner with the design studio from concept through production release: sketch review, massing studies, proportion and scale studies, and prototype iteration.
  • Specify materials and finishes in collaboration with Design, including glass, machined and spun metal, alabaster, and wood.
  • Lead prototype builds, capture lessons learned, and carry them into a clean production release.

Manufacturability & Vendor Handoff
  • Review designs with the Manufacturing Engineer for manufacturability, tolerance stacks, and cost before release.
  • Issue drawing packages to vendors and answer technical questions through the Manufacturing Engineer.
  • Incorporate feedback from QC and Assembly into drawing updates and ECOs.

Standards & Compliance
  • Design fixtures that meet UL 1598 / UL 8750 and relevant electrical and structural standards in collaboration with the Assembly Engineer.
  • Maintain design documentation and revision history in a disciplined way so that what's in the field matches what's in the system.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • 3-5 years of design engineering experience producing production-ready drawings for manufactured products.
  • Strong CAD skills in Autodesk Fusion (Fusion 360) or a comparable parametric CAD tool, with GD&T proficiency.
  • Experience designing for multiple materials and processes: machining, metal spinning, casting, glass, and wood.
  • Ability to balance aesthetic intent with buildability; comfortable iterating with a design-led team.
  • Strong communication skills and organized documentation habits.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience designing lighting fixtures and familiarity with UL 1598 / UL 8750.
  • Experience with NetSuite item and BOM records.
  • Background in luxury goods, architectural hardware, or high-end furniture.
  • Exposure to rendering, photometric analysis, or thermal considerations for LEDs.
Compensation & Benefits
  • Base salary range: $90,000 - $115,000 annually (based on experience)
  • Discretionary annual performance bonus
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off, holidays, and parental leave
  • Employer-paid life and disability insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Safety shoes and prescription eyewear allowance
  • Employee discount on Allied Maker products
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
  • On-site at the Glen Cove, NY workshop; split between CAD work and time on the shop floor
  • Occasional exposure to shop-floor conditions during builds and reviews
  • Requires seated work with periodic standing and light lifting (up to 25 lbs)
About Allied Maker
Allied Maker is an American design and manufacturing studio creating luxury-crafted lighting fixtures. Based in New York, each piece is made to order by a dedicated team of craftspeople, with a focus on authentic materials, refined form, and enduring quality.
The studio operates at the intersection of design, engineering, and manufacturing. Ryden Rizzo leads product design and form. Lanette Rizzo leads design direction, production, and client strategy. Together, they set a standard where design integrity, engineering, and performance are inseparable.
Allied Maker is widely specified by leading architects and designers and continues to expand its capabilities while maintaining a singular focus: deliver artisan-crafted, highly engineered, sophisticated yet simple lighting design solutions.
Salary Range Annually
$90,000-$115,000 USD