Job Opportunities

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Current Openings

Sign Designer & Project Manager

About the Role

This role blends creative design, technical drafting, client communication, and hands-on collaboration with our production and installation teams.

You will create large-format designs and accurate technical drawings for monument signs, freestanding signs, and building-mounted signs used for permits, engineering, and fabrication.
If you enjoy design and also enjoy understanding how things are built, read on.

This is not a sit-behind-the-computer-all-day job. You will regularly move through our fabrication and vehicle wrap installation facility to collaborate with team members, troubleshoot issues, and ensure accuracy during production.

To get a behind-the-scenes look at how this role is woven into every stage of our projects coming together, head over to our blog to learn about A Day in the Life of A Designer, then come back to read more about whether you might be a good fit for us, and we for you.

Responsibilities

• Create technical drawings for permitting, engineering, and production
• Design vehicle wraps, murals, interior and exterior signage, and large-format graphics
• Prepare preliminary layouts for estimating
• Revise layouts based on client needs and brand guidelines
• Collaborate with production and installation teams during fabrication
• Communicate clearly with clients and internal team members
• Ensure accuracy and quality throughout the entire design-to-installation process

Requirements

• Experience designing signs and vehicle wraps
• Ability to create technical drawings for signage
• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop
• Excellent spelling, communication, and math skills
• Ability to read a ruler to the 16th of an inch
• Professional appearance: business-casual attire, no visible tattoos above the collar, no visible piercings other than earrings
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift 35 pounds
• Positive attitude and strong teamwork skills
• On-site work required in Wilmington, NC

Compensation

We offer a tiered salary structure based on experience.

• $43,000–$52,000 for early-career designers
• $52,000–$62,000 for experienced designers with technical-drawing, project management and permitting experience

About Us

Port City Signs and Graphics is a full-service commercial sign and large-format graphics company founded in 1948 in Wilmington, NC. We produce exterior signage, vehicle wraps, interior branding, ADA signage, CNC-routed and dimensional signs, and large-scale commercial development signage.

We are growing and seeking a Sign Designer and Project Manager who enjoys both creative design and technical problem-solving.

Culture and Values

We hire and grow our team based on five core values:

Precision – We take pride in accuracy and craftsmanship.
Integrity – We communicate honestly and take responsibility for our work.
Partnership – We value strong relationships with clients, vendors, and community partners.
Innovation and Growth – We embrace learning and invest in the latest technology and top-tier equipment.
Teamwork – We support each other and problem-solve together to achieve shared success.

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Full health-care package: medical, dental, vision
• Simple IRA with company match
• Short-term disability coverage
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous vacation after one year
• Monday–Friday schedule with regular overtime opportunities

To Apply

You must complete the full application on Indeed to be considered.
Please include:

• Your resume
• A link to your portfolio or uploaded samples of work
• Examples of vehicle wrap designs or large-format signage
• Responses to all application questions
• Responses to follow-up emailed questions (if requested)

Application Questions:

• What interested you most about this job opportunity and prompted you to apply?
• Why are you looking for a new job?
• Please explain your experience working in or with the sign industry.
• Why do you want to live in or continue living in the Greater Wilmington area?
• Where do you see yourself in three years?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• Explain in detail your sign design experience.

Apply Now!

Print Production Specialist

We’re growing and looking for a skilled, dependable Print Production Specialist to join our team in Wilmington, NC. If you have experience operating wide-format printers, or have strong, transferable technical or hardware-based experience, and enjoy hands-on work, problem-solving, and producing high-quality finished products, we’d love to talk.

Does this sound like you?

You enjoy hands-on, detail-oriented work and take pride in doing things the right way. You’re comfortable working with machinery, materials, and computers, you stay calm when something doesn’t go as planned, and you like being part of a team that works together to get quality work out the door.

If that sounds like you… read on.

What You’ll Do

On a typical day, you will:

• Operate wide-format printers, including Epson S80600 eco-solvent printers and a SwissQ Nyala UV flatbed
• Load and unload print materials and substrates used in daily production
• Monitor print quality and make adjustments as needed to ensure accurate, consistent output
• Perform routine cleaning, calibration, and basic operational troubleshooting of printing equipment
• Review and prepare production files to ensure jobs are printed and cut correctly
• Assist with CNC router setup and operation and run cut files (training provided)
• Support finishing tasks as needed
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized print room
• Work closely with production, design, and installation teams to meet schedules and quality standards

What You Need to Succeed

• Experience in print production or a strong hands-on technical background (electronics, machinery, fabrication, manufacturing, etc.)
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with equipment and tools
• Attention to detail and pride in producing high-quality work
• Ability to follow processes, troubleshoot issues, and ask questions when needed
• Basic computer skills and comfort working with digital production files
• Ability to safely lift and handle materials up to 50 pounds
• Ability to stand, bend, reach, and move throughout the production area during the workday
• A team-first attitude—dependable, professional, and willing to help where needed
• Ability to pass a drug test and criminal background check

Preferred (But Not Required)

• Experience with large-format or UV printers
• Familiarity with RIP software or print production workflows
• CNC router or digital fabrication experience
• Sign, graphics, or manufacturing environment experience

Why Work With Us

Port City Signs & Graphics is a 75-year-old, locally owned business built on craftsmanship, precision, and teamwork. We maintain a positive, collaborative, drama-free environment where people genuinely enjoy working together.

We offer:

• Competitive pay ($17-$21/hr depending on experience)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Five paid holidays
• Retirement plan with company match
• Paid vacation after one year
• Opportunities for overtime
• A stable, supportive workplace with room to grow

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM, with occasional evening or weekend work.

To Apply (Required)

Applications must include:

• Cover Letter – Tell us about your experience and why you’re a strong fit
• Resume
• Answers to all questions listed with the application and any follow-up email questions

Incomplete applications will not be considered.
No phone calls, please.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00 – $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What about this job opportunity interests you most and prompted you to apply?
• Why are you looking for a new job at this time?
• What do you like to do for fun in your off time?
• Please describe the reasons you transitioned from each job on your resume.
• What what your favorite job thus far and why?
• Where would you like to be personally and professionally in three years?
• Why do you live or would you like to live in Wilmington, NC?
• Please explain in detail your wide format printer operation experience or any applicable experience.
• Please describe in detail your experience working with graphic files and rip software in a print production?
• Please describe your education background if it is not listed on your resume.

License/Certification:

• Driver’s License (Required)

Location:

• Wilmington, NC 28405 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Wilmington, NC 28405: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Apply Now!

Commercial Signage Estimator

Port City Signs & Graphics is growing, and we are looking for a smart, detail-oriented Commercial Signage Estimator to join our team in Wilmington, NC.

We are open to candidates with different backgrounds.

You may already be an experienced estimator who has worked in commercial construction, architectural specialties, signage, or another trade.

Or, you may have strong math, analytical, technical, construction, engineering, manufacturing, or problem-solving skills and the aptitude to become a strong estimator.

Commercial signage experience is helpful, but it is not required. We can teach signage. We are looking for someone who can think critically, work accurately, stay organized, communicate well, and learn how to develop reliable project costs.

Does This Sound Like You?

• You are good with numbers and enjoy solving problems.
• You naturally break complicated projects into smaller pieces and work through them methodically.
• You notice when a quantity, specification, drawing, or detail does not make sense.
• You are organized, dependable, and good at keeping track of details, deadlines, notes, and follow-up.
• You communicate proactively with teammates and are comfortable asking questions when something is unclear.
• You like understanding how things are fabricated, built, installed, and coordinated.
• You are comfortable learning technical information, new products, and new systems.
• You work independently but also value collaboration and input from the people around you.
• You are receptive to feedback and willing to learn how our company approaches estimating, production, and project coordination.

What You’ll Do

You will estimate commercial signage projects ranging from interior ADA and wayfinding packages to exterior signs, dimensional lettering, environmental graphics, monument signs, illuminated signage, and larger commercial construction projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Review construction plans, specifications, drawings, addenda, and project documents
• Identify signage scope and perform quantity takeoffs
• Develop estimates for materials, labor, fabrication, printing, subcontractors, equipment, permitting, and installation
• Identify missing information, scope gaps, conflicts, and potential pricing risks
• Obtain vendor and subcontractor pricing when needed
• Prepare assumptions, exclusions, alternates, and clarification questions
• Coordinate with design, production, fabrication, installation, sales, and operations
• Prepare accurate proposals and estimates by deadline
• Track active estimates, deadlines, and follow-up needs
• Review completed projects and job costing to improve future estimating accuracy
• Learn our products, materials, production processes, equipment, installation methods, and pricing systems
• Communicate with general contractors, architects, vendors, and customers when project clarification is needed

Because we are a collaborative small business, everyone occasionally helps outside his or her primary role. This position may assist with project intake, customer communication, or team support when needed, but the primary responsibility is estimating.

Relevant experience may come from:

• Commercial construction estimating
• General contractor or subcontractor estimating
• Architectural specialties
• Commercial signage
• Construction management
• Engineering or technical fields
• Architecture or drafting
• Manufacturing or fabrication
• Preconstruction or construction administration
• Quantity takeoffs
• Another analytical or technical field that requires strong numerical reasoning and attention to detail

Experience with construction plans, Bluebeam or other takeoff software, construction bid platforms, ADA signage, fabrication, installation, permitting, or scope clarification is helpful, but not required.

If you are highly analytical and mathematically strong but do not have traditional estimating experience, we still encourage you to apply. Tell us why you believe your background and abilities would translate well to estimating.

Our Work Environment

Port City Signs & Graphics has a strong, experienced team that works closely across estimating, design, production, fabrication, installation, and customer service. We value people who take ownership of their work, communicate well, and are willing to help one another.

We work in person because our work is highly collaborative and hands-on. Estimators regularly interact with the people who design, fabricate, produce, and install what they are estimating. We want someone who enjoys being part of that process and contributing to a team that takes pride in doing good work.

Why This Role Is Different

Commercial signage estimating combines construction, design, fabrication, printing, electrical components, permitting, installation, and project coordination. One project may include everything from hundreds of interior ADA signs to illuminated building signs, monuments, graphics, foundations, equipment rentals, and complex installation conditions.

We do not expect someone to arrive knowing every product or material we use. We do expect strong analytical ability, curiosity, attention to detail, and the discipline to work through a project carefully.

The goal is to become a trusted estimator who understands our customers, our capabilities, and what it takes to move a project successfully from initial review through installation.

What We Offer

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Life and AD&D insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Stable, established company
• Collaborative, in-person team environment
• Opportunity to develop expertise in a specialized commercial trade
• Long-term growth opportunity
• Room for compensation growth based on performance and increasing independence

About Port City Signs & Graphics

Port City Signs & Graphics is an established commercial sign company in Wilmington, NC.

We design, fabricate, print, and install interior and exterior signage, wayfinding systems, ADA signage, environmental graphics, vehicle graphics, and custom branding solutions for businesses, institutions, contractors, developers, and organizations throughout the region.

Qualified candidates should be prepared to complete a skills assessment as part of the interview process.

Applications must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter explaining your estimating, construction, bidding, or related trade experience
• Answers to all application questions
• Responses to any follow-up questions sent by email

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $52,000.00 – $71,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Please explain how/why you transitioned between each position on your resume.
• Please explain your education in detail if it is not listed on your resume.
• Where do you see yourself in 3 years?
• What do you like to do for fun?
• Why are you looking for a job or career change at this time?
• Describe your estimating, takeoff, bidding, or construction-plan experience, and well as the types of projects, trades, or industries have you estimated.
• What interested you about this role and prompted you to apply?
• Why do you or are you interested in living in Wilmington, NC?
• Tell us about a time you identified a scope gap, unclear requirement, missing detail, or pricing risk before a bid was submitted.
• What estimating software, takeoff tools, construction platforms, or project management systems have you used?

Ability to Relocate:

• Wilmington, NC 28405: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Apply Now!