AUDIO VISUAL PROGRAMMING MANAGER

Bluewater Technologies Group•Wixom, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Audio/Visual Programmer Lead is the senior technical and operational leader of Bluewater's Programming Team. This role is responsible for programming quality, technical standards, team development, workload planning, estimation accuracy, labor efficiency, and programming execution across all Integration projects. While the Programmer Lead remains an active programmer on complex projects, the primary responsibility is ensuring the overall success of the programming function through leadership, accountability, process discipline, technical mentorship, and operational rigor. The Programmer Lead serves as the technical authority for control system programming, DSP configuration, user interface development, system commissioning support, and troubleshooting. This individual works closely with Engineering, Project Management, Installation, Sales, and Operations to ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and in accordance with Bluewater quality standards. Success in this role requires a balance of technical expertise, leadership capability, financial awareness, resource planning, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Requirements

7+ years of professional AV programming experience.
2+ years of leadership, mentoring, or team lead experience preferred.
Advanced proficiency with one or more major control platforms: Crestron (preferred), Q-SYS, Extron, AMX
Advanced DSP configuration experience (Biamp, Q-SYS, BSS preferred).
Strong understanding of AV system architecture.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and system documentation.
Strong understanding of AV-over-IP and networking fundamentals.
Experience supporting commissioning and troubleshooting efforts.
Experience estimating programming labor and managing technical project scope.
Experience delivering client training and system handoff sessions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills.
Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required.
Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed.
Walking primarily on a level surface for periods throughout the day is required.
Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required throughout the workday.
Proper lifting techniques required.
Position may include lifting up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Crestron Certified Programmer
Crestron Masters
Q-SYS Certifications
Extron Certifications
Biamp Certifications
CTS
CTS-I
Network-related certifications
Completion of manufacturer programming certification programs (Crestron, Extron, AMX, Q-SYS preferred)

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, coach, and develop the Programming Team.
Establish and maintain programming standards, best practices, templates, documentation requirements, and quality expectations.
Conduct regular reviews of programming deliverables for consistency, quality, and maintainability.
Drive accountability for project deadlines, documentation, responsiveness, and execution.
Ensure team members are effectively prioritizing workload and managing commitments.
Provide technical coaching and development plans for programmers.
Assist leadership with hiring, onboarding, performance management, career development, and succession planning.
Foster a culture of ownership, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Promote adoption of standard programming methodologies and repeatable processes.
Manage programming workload across the team.
Balance resources against project priorities and business needs.
Identify resource constraints and proactively recommend solutions.
Ensure programming activities align with project schedules and critical milestones.
Monitor team utilization, productivity, and efficiency.
Manage programming resource allocation across projects by assigning programmers based on project priorities, technical requirements, certifications, and specialized expertise.
Support project recovery efforts when schedules, budgets, or deliverables are at risk.
Own Programming Team performance metrics, including estimate accuracy, labor utilization, programming efficiency, rework reduction, and on-time completion.
Develop programming labor estimates during project pursuit and design phases.
Review estimates for accuracy, completeness, assumptions, and risk.
Partner with Engineering and Project Management to validate programming scope and effort.
Establish realistic labor budgets and programming schedules.
Track estimated versus actual programming hours.
Identify scope creep and support Change Order development.
Provide recommendations to improve future estimating accuracy.
Participate in project financial reviews and lessons learned sessions.
Support margin improvement initiatives through improved forecasting, planning, execution, and accountability.
Serve as the highest-level technical escalation point for the Programming Team.
Design and review programming architecture.
Support development of complex control system programming.
Review code quality and programming methodologies.
Assist with commissioning and troubleshooting of complex systems.
Support root cause analysis and resolution of system issues.
Provide technical guidance during project planning and execution.
Evaluate emerging technologies, programming methodologies, and manufacturer platforms.
Ensure technical consistency across projects and programmers.
Develop and maintain programming for: Crestron, Q-SYS, Extron, AMX, Biamp, BSS, Other approved control and DSP platforms.
Develop custom user interfaces and control workflows.
Configure DSP systems and audio processing platforms.
Create technical documentation, programming standards, and user guides.
Participate in testing, commissioning, and system validation.
Train clients and internal teams on system operation and functionality.
Ensure all programming deliverables are properly archived, documented, and maintained.
Partner closely with Engineering, Project Management, Installation, Quality Assurance, Service, and Sales teams.
Participating in project kickoff meetings.
Reviewing project scope and technical requirements.
Supporting project readiness initiatives.
Identifying technical risks early.
Assisting with scope clarification and change management.
Supporting successful project handoffs.
Driving lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
Helping strengthen collaboration between Engineering, Programming, Operations, and Project Management.
Other duties as assigned.
Maintain a professional appearance consistent with company standards, client expectations, and safety requirements.
Communicate programming progress, project risks, resource constraints, and support needs proactively to project stakeholders.
Travel to client sites as required for programming, commissioning, testing, troubleshooting, and client training activities.
Provide remote technical support to internal teams during system commissioning and issue resolution.
Be able to climb ladders and work safely in active construction and installation environments.
Maintain a professional, collaborative, and solutions-oriented demeanor in all circumstances.
Partner with Engineering to provide technical feedback that improves system design quality, programming efficiency, and client outcomes.