Job Opportunities

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!

Commercial Signage Estimator & Bid Specialist

Commercial Signage Estimator / Construction Bid Specialist

Port City Signs & Graphics is growing, and we are looking for an experienced estimator to join our commercial sales and estimating team in Wilmington, NC.

This role is designed for someone who is comfortable reading construction plans, reviewing specifications, performing quantity takeoffs, identifying scope, preparing accurate estimates, and managing bid details from initial review through submission.

Commercial signage experience is helpful, but it is not required. Experience in commercial construction estimating, quantity takeoffs, bid preparation, architectural specialties, millwork, glazing, casework, interiors, electrical, painting, flooring, Division 10 specialties, or another construction-related estimating role may transfer well.

This is primarily an estimating and bid specialist role. The right person should be able to think through how a project will actually be fabricated, coordinated, and installed—not simply price from a list. Because we are a collaborative team, this person should also be willing to assist with customer communication, project intake, or team coverage when needed. That support is not the main focus of the position, but it is part of how we work together and serve our customers well.

Does This Sound Like You?

You are comfortable reading construction plans, specifications, drawings, and bid documents.

You understand that good estimating requires more than entering numbers into a spreadsheet.

You are detail-oriented, organized, analytical, and calm under deadline pressure.

You know how to identify scope, ask clarifying questions, and recognize potential gaps before a bid is submitted.

You communicate professionally with general contractors, architects, vendors, customers, and internal team members.

You like understanding how things actually get built, fabricated, installed, and coordinated in the field.

You are willing to learn the signage industry while bringing strong estimating, construction, or trade experience to the role.

You appreciate working in person with a collaborative team.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will support commercial estimating, bid preparation, and project intake for signage, wayfinding, ADA signage, exterior signs, interior graphics, environmental branding, and related commercial projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Review construction plans, specifications, drawings, addenda, and bid documents to identify signage scope
• Perform quantity takeoffs for interior signage, ADA signage, exterior signage, wayfinding, graphics, and related project components
• Review bid invitations and construction platforms to identify commercial projects that are a good fit for our company
• Develop accurate labor, material, fabrication, subcontractor, permitting, equipment, and installation estimates
• Identify scope gaps, exclusions, alternates, assumptions, and clarification items before bids are submitted
• Coordinate with sales, design, production, fabrication, and installation teams to confirm scope, pricing, timing, and feasibility
• Communicate with general contractors, architects, vendors, subcontractors, and customers as needed to clarify project requirements
• Prepare and submit complete, organized bids by deadline
• Track bids, document follow-up needs, and support the sales team through the bid process
• Review past estimates and completed jobs to understand company pricing, production capabilities, and installation workflow
• Learn Port City Signs & Graphics’ products, systems, pricing structure, production methods, and internal processes
• Assist with project intake, customer communication, phone coverage, or team support when needed

What We’re Looking For

Required qualifications:

• Proven experience reading and interpreting construction plans, specifications, drawings, or bid documents
• Estimating experience in commercial construction, signage, architectural specialties, or a related trade
• Strong quantity takeoff, math, organizational, and analytical skills
• Ability to manage multiple bids, deadlines, details, and priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Professional customer-service mindset
• Ability to work effectively with sales, design, production, fabrication, installation, and administrative team members
• Accuracy, accountability, and strong attention to detail
• Willingness to learn the technical details of commercial signage and environmental graphics
• Ability to pass a background check and drug test

Experience That May Transfer Well

We are especially interested in candidates with estimating or project experience in:

• Commercial construction
• Architectural specialties
• Environmental graphics or wayfinding
• Commercial signage
• General contractor or subcontractor estimating
• Construction administration, preconstruction, or bid coordination

Nice to Have, But Not Required

• Experience with commercial signage, wayfinding, environmental graphics, or architectural branding
• Familiarity with construction bid platforms
• Knowledge of ADA signage requirements
• Experience coordinating with general contractors, architects, property managers, or commercial clients
• Understanding of fabrication, installation, permitting, or production workflows
• Experience preparing exclusions, alternates, assumptions, or scope clarification notes

Why This Role Is Different

Commercial signage estimating requires technical judgment, accuracy, and coordination. A signage package may include interior ADA signs, dimensional lettering, illuminated signs, monument signs, wall graphics, tenant panels, wayfinding systems, installation requirements, permitting, access equipment, and coordination with multiple trades.

We do not expect someone to walk in on day one knowing every product, material, or signage requirement. We do expect someone to bring strong estimating discipline, construction-plan literacy, professionalism, curiosity, and attention to detail.

The goal is for this person to become a trusted estimator who understands our customers, our production capabilities, our installation process, and how projects move from bid invitation to final installation.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Room for compensation growth based on performance and increasing independence
• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Stable, established company with long-term growth opportunity
• Collaborative in-person work environment
• Opportunity to apply construction estimating experience in a specialized commercial trade

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.

Application Requirements

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

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!

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!