AV Systems Engineer
About The Position
The AV Systems Engineer performs and manages the maintenance, load-in, operation, and load-out of audio-visual systems and equipment across Seattle Art Museum’s three locations: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and Seattle Art Museum Downtown. The role supports a broad range of events, exhibitions, and museum activities, including performances, presentations, hybrid meetings, venue rentals, educational programming, and fundraising events. It also provides technical support for exhibit-based installations such as audio guides and interactives. The position works with internal and external clients, visiting artists, contractors, and staff across departments. It supervises on-call staff during event setup, operation, and teardown; helps train staff; maintains equipment and supplies; and contributes to equipment planning, budgeting, and project delivery. The role requires safe AV installation and operation, strong customer service, and the ability to support multiple projects and events.
Requirements
- High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Five years of experience in theatre, events, 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 working knowledge of 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 with 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 and work to deadlines, with strong time management, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
- Highly organized, self-initiating, and able to work autonomously.
- Ability to use discretion when 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.
Nice To Haves
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in theatre, film, or 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 AV installation, maintenance, teardown, and other assigned services.
- Support lectures, theatrical performances, music performances, demonstrations, corporate presentations, hybrid events and meetings, venue rentals, educational and public engagement programming, and development and fundraising activities.
- Support exhibit presentations, including AV components within individual works of art.
- Set up and operate hybrid events and meetings.
- Provide customer service to internal and external clients and visiting artists.
- Supervise on-call staff during load-in, the 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 AV technology and apply industry best practices.
- Assist the Production Manager with securing rental equipment as assigned.
- Work across departments to create and install audio guides, interactives, and other exhibit-based needs.
- Ensure AV equipment is installed safely.
- Assist in training new AV staff and contractors and creating training materials.
- Participate in equipment budgeting and timeline creation as assigned.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define and deliver effective AV support and complete projects and day-to-day work.
- Contribute to welcoming, inclusive, and exceptional customer service for museum visitors.
- Participate in institutional learning opportunities related to antiracism, cultural competency, and equity.
Benefits
- Employer-paid HMP medical plan or employee-contribution PPO plan.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Basic life insurance, long-term disability, and AD&D coverage.
- Flexible Spending Account.
- Short-term disability.
- Supplemental dental insurance.
- Participation in SAM’s 403(b) retirement plan.
- After one year of service and 1,000 hours worked, a discretionary 3% employer contribution and 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 Seattle Art Museum membership for full-time staff.
- Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums.
- Discounts to the museum shop and programming.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
