Description
Aardvark Studios is the industry leader in custom mobile marketing vehicles, known for executing high-impact experiential builds for the world’s most iconic brands. We're looking for a senior-level vehicle expert to join our team and take full ownership of how we design, customize, and build our vehicles — from chassis to final finish.This is a hands-on leadership role (75% build / 25% leadership). You’ll roll up your sleeves and lead from the front, working closely with our shop team, creative department, and design engineers to raise the bar on every vehicle we touch.
If you’ve spent a decade building experiential vehicles, and you know how to get the most out of a team, tools, and a shop environment — we want to talk.
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the build and customization of mobile marketing vehicles from shell to showstopper — vending windows, flooring, electrical, scenic, framing, finishes, and more.
- Set the standard for craftsmanship and quality across metal, wood, finish, and custom fabrication work.
- Recommend shop layout improvements, new tools, and workflow optimizations to the owner and COO.
- Train and mentor shop staff on advanced vehicle fabrication techniques and best practices.
- Collaborate closely with the design engineering team to ensure concepts are buildable and field-ready.
- Advise the creative team on vehicle feasibility and teach them how to design smarter.
- Oversee internal QC and final checks to ensure nothing leaves the shop unless it’s flawless.
- Support internal teams (sales, PM, fleet) with vehicle-related input as needed — but this is not a client-facing or logistics role.
Who You Are:
- Minimum 10 years of experience customizing vehicles specifically for experiential marketing and mobile activations.
- Master builder with deep knowledge of vehicle systems, structural design, materials, and mobile-ready construction methods.
- Equally comfortable cutting metal, teaching a junior fabricator, or advising on a better liftgate spec.
- Natural leader who’s low ego, solutions-focused, and energized by improving how a shop runs.
- Passionate about quality, process, and delivering jaw-dropping results — on time and on budget.
Bonus Traits (Not Required, But Nice to Have):
- Experience in high-end event, trade show, food truck, or film vehicle fabrication.
- Background in training or mentoring shop teams.
- Understanding of 12V, AV, or simple tech integration.
Why Aardvark:
We build the coolest vehicles in the country — and we do it all in-house. You’ll be part of a fast-moving, creative, and high-performing team where your voice matters and your impact is real. This is your chance to put your stamp on something big.
