AV Systems Engineer

Seattle Art Museum•Seattle, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The AV Systems Engineer manages and performs the maintenance, load-in, operation, and load-out of audio-visual systems and equipment across the Seattle Art Museum’s three locations: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Seattle Art Museum Downtown. The role supports events, meetings, performances, exhibits, educational and public-engagement programming, rentals, and development activities. It also provides customer service, supervises on-call staff during events, maintains AV equipment and inventory, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders on projects and day-to-day needs. The position assists with equipment selection, installations, maintenance, training, budgeting, and planning. It works with the Production Manager on rental equipment and collaborates across departments on audio guides, interactives, and exhibit-based needs. The role contributes to SAM’s commitment to welcoming and inclusive visitor experiences and participates in learning opportunities related to antiracism, cultural competency, and equity. This is a full-time, non-exempt position reporting to the Associate Director of Audio-Visual Services. Work is based across SAM’s Seattle locations, primarily indoors in climate-controlled spaces, with some outdoor events. The role involves moving around work areas, occasional extended standing, transporting equipment up to 50 pounds, and working safely at heights using ladders, scaffolding, and personnel or scissor lifts.

Requirements

High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Five years of experience in theatre, event, or audio-visual work.
Experience with industry-standard video switching and engineering systems.
Proficiency in maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and operating AV systems and equipment, including digital video projectors, live sound reinforcement, theatrical lighting, power distribution, and video recording equipment.
Working knowledge of a variety of audio and lighting consoles.
Ability to maintain performance spaces.
Experience with and understanding of safe rigging practices.
Ability to successfully execute high-visibility events.
Experience and knowledge of proper temporary electrical wiring practices, including varying voltage systems.
Ability to work effectively and positively with technical and nontechnical staff across organizational levels and disciplines, as well as external contacts.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with executives, management, and employees.
Professional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor communication to the audience.
Ability to motivate teams and manage several projects simultaneously.
Ability to assess priorities, meet deadlines, and apply strong time-management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
Highly organized, self-initiating, and able to work autonomously.
Ability to exercise discretion in maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Zoom, Asana, Slack, and internet-based research.
Ability to pass and maintain security background check clearance.
Ability to communicate effectively with trustees, the public, and coworkers; use a computer screen and interpret printed materials and paperwork; and operate computers, keyboards, telephones, and other office productivity machinery.
Ability to transport up to 50 pounds of equipment and supplies.
Ability to work safely at heights, on ladders and scaffolding, and to safely operate multiple types of personnel and scissor lifts.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in theatre, film, television, or equivalent experience.
OSHA 30 or OSHA 10 certification.
Experience working with a mix of in-house AV staff, freelance technicians, and contractor-supplied technicians.

Responsibilities

Manage audio-visual facilities and operate AV systems across all museum locations.
Assist the Associate Director in selecting capital AV equipment.
Perform installation, maintenance, teardown, and other AV services as directed.
Support lectures, theatrical performances, music performances, demonstrations, corporate presentations, hybrid events and meetings, private rentals, educational and public-engagement programming, and fundraising activities.
Support exhibit presentations, including AV needs within individual works of art.
Set up and operate hybrid events and meetings.
Provide excellent customer service to internal and external clients and visiting artists.
Supervise on-call staff through event load-in, run of show, and strike.
Maintain equipment and supplies inventory for presentations, functions, and exhibits.
Perform routine and specialty maintenance on AV equipment and related computer systems.
Keep current with changes in AV technology and use industry best practices.
Assist the Production Manager in securing rental equipment as assigned.
Work cross-departmentally to create and install audio guides, interactives, and other exhibit-based needs.
Ensure safe installation of AV equipment.
Assist in training new AV staff and contractors in operating AV systems across all sites.
Assist in creating training materials for new staff.
Participate in and assist with equipment budgeting and timeline creation as assigned.
Collaborate with stakeholders across departments to define and deliver effective AV support.
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to complete projects and deliver day-to-day needs.
Contribute to welcoming, inclusive customer service and positive visitor experiences.
Participate in institutional learning opportunities related to antiracism, cultural competency, and equity.

Benefits

Fully employer-paid HMP medical plan or employee-contribution PPO plan.
Dental insurance, vision insurance, and basic life insurance, LTD, and AD&D coverage.
Flexible Spending Account.
Short-Term Disability.
Supplemental dental insurance.
Participation in SAM’s 403(b) retirement plan.
Following one year of service and 1,000 hours worked, a discretionary 3% employer contribution regardless of participation, plus an employer match program.
Paid vacation, PSST, bereavement leave, and jury duty leave.
14 scheduled holidays and one paid floating holiday.
Subsidized unlimited Orca card.
Onsite fitness facility.
Employee Assistance Program.
Patron-level SAM membership for full-time staff.
Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums for full-time staff.
Discounts to the museum shop and programming.