Pilchuck Glass School is hiring: Hiring a Skilled Glass Blower / Studio Technici

Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting is proud to offer a full-time hybrid position of a Glass Blowing Studio Tech. We are the largest American made lighting company in the US and the leader in our industry in studio glass design. We have a state-of-the-art facility located in the Miami area and produce a variety of challenging glasswork.

Our product line is unlike any other, consisting of glass that is mold blown, free formed, cast, fused, slumped, glued, and coldworked. A single light fixture often goes back and forth between hot, warm, and cold processes, making the work atypical and exciting. We have a heavy production load that constantly evolves with our variety of products. More often, we are tasked with exciting and challenging custom orders.

We are looking for a senior/master Glassblower with experience running a glass studio and at least 10 years of production glass blowing experience. The position is for someone who can produce the product 70% of the time and perform technical duties the other 30%. This job is exciting, challenging, skill-building, and rewarding; however, it is not for the faint of heart. The studio is in a brand new 17,000 sq.ft. space, with a massive ventilation/air system, but we need someone who is not afraid of the Miami heat!

Job Details:

1. Full time
2. Salary: equivalent to glass production and experience running a studio ($25.00– $30.00 per hour)
3. PTO, OT, medical insurance plan
4. Studio time for artists

Miami (and neighboring Fort Lauderdale) has exciting perks and artistic opportunities, including beaches, Wynwood Design District, galleries, and two major airports (MIA and FLL).

Please submit current CV/Resume to studioglass@finearthl.com and feel free to ask any questions. Check out the website www.finearthl.com.

Key Responsibilities:

Glass Blowing: Estimated to 70% of time

• Expert Glassblowing: Demonstrating exceptional skill in all aspects of glassblowing, mold blowing, shaping, forming, and finishing work.
• Design Support: Support the creation of innovative designs, often pushing the boundaries of glassblowing techniques.
• Mentorship: Guiding apprentices and journeymen, sharing their knowledge and expertise.
• Project Management: Overseeing complex glassblowing projects as directed, ensuring that they meet deadlines and quality standards.
• Quality Control: Ensuring that all glass pieces produced meet the highest standards of craftsmanship.
• Technical Proficiency: A deep understanding of glass properties, techniques, and equipment, equivalent to 10 years of production experience.
• Creativity: The ability to design and create unique and innovative glass pieces.
• Coldworking: Basic coldworking skills.
• Problem-Solving: The capacity to overcome challenges and find solutions to technical issues.
• Leadership: The ability to guide and mentor others in glassblowing.
• Independent or Collaborative: May work independently or as part of a team, depending on the nature of the project.
• Physical Demands: Glassblowing can be physically demanding, requiring strength, dexterity, and the ability to stand for long periods in hot weather.

Key Responsibilities of the Shop Tech: Estimated to be 30% of time

• Furnace Operation: The operation, repair, and maintenance of the Falorni furnaces. Requires a basic knowledge of combustion systems and the ability to read an electrical schematic.
• Kiln Maintenance: Replacing components and servicing electrical annealers and kilns. Understanding of kiln operation and repair, including replacing elements and breakers.
• Watlow Controllers: Full operation and programming of Watlow controllers.
• Gas Devices: Repair and maintenance of all gas devices such as gloryholes and pipe warmers.
• Basic Shop Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance of the hot shop studio equipment and all varied shop equipment.
• Repair of Wood Molds: Rebuilding to maintain the operation of the wood molds.

More Studio Details:

Studio Equipment:

Hotshop: (3) new 750lb Falorni furnaces, (2) 16” glory holes, (2) 12” glory holes, (2) new pipe warmers, (4) benches, (2) down draft tables, (5) large WDG annealers H 4’ x W 8’ x D 4’.

Kiln: (3) new 5’x6’ clam WDG, (1) new 3’x3’ clam WDG, (1) new small WDG front loader 3’x4’, (2) Jumbo clam 10’x 8’ WDG, (6) Paragon coffin kilns, (1) Rolling Car Kiln H 5’x W 4’x D 5’, (1) Large front loading annealer H 4’x W 8’x D 4’ WDG.

Coldshop: (1) Toolboy Jim9000 Height Adjustable Lathe, (1) Diamond Bandsaw, (1) Pneumatic water fed grinding booth, (4) Waterjet Design 24” Diamond Grinder, (4) Diamond Saws, (5) Somca Belt Sanders, (3) Drill Press.

Glass Facility: Blowing molds, optic molds, graphite hot casting molds, hot torches, ladles for hot casting, slumping molds, kiln casting molds and supplies, flat glass cutting area, UV light conveyor belt.

Lighting Facility: Massive metals department/fabrication, paint department with spray booths, gold leaf room, silver leaf room, resin department, final assembly, packing, shipping, design department, showroom.