Exhibit Electronics and AV Manager
About The Position
The Exhibit Electronics A/V Manager is a member of the Saint Louis Science Center’s Exhibits team, within the Science and Education Division. The role designs, implements, programs, and maintains interactive hands-on exhibits and lighting systems across permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions. Working with exhibit designers, engineers, fabricators, educators, and operations staff, the manager develops reliable A/V and lighting solutions that support exhibit narratives, educational goals, visitor experience, accessibility, safety, and artifact conservation. The position combines creative audiovisual design with hands-on technical support for public-facing science center interactives. It produces technical documentation, integrates lighting with exhibit electronics and control systems, and manages audiovisual equipment and operations at Energy Stage, the planetarium’s in-house audiovisual, media, and traveling exhibit systems that interface with the house system. The role also supports exhibit development, installation, maintenance, repairs, special events, and traveling exhibitions, and mentors Exhibit Electronics technician staff.
Requirements
- A minimum of 3–5 years of experience designing and implementing A/V systems in museums, science centers, themed environments, exhibitions, or similar settings.
- A technical degree or equivalent professional experience in lighting design, theatrical production, electrical engineering, exhibit design, or a related field.
- Experience with lighting control protocols and/or networked lighting systems.
- Ability to read and produce technical drawings, wiring diagrams, and specifications.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and comfort working hands-on with tools and electronic components.
- Ability to lift 50–70 pounds and work in varied conditions, including heights, confined spaces, and indoor and outdoor environments.
- Ability to climb ladders, work from lifts, and operate in elevated spaces.
- Ability to stand, bend, lift, carry, and use tools for extended periods.
- Ability to work amid noise, dust, chemicals, and public visitor traffic.
- Adaptability to changing tasks and priorities in a dynamic museum environment.
- Willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, and early mornings to support installations and special events.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in a nonprofit museum or science center environment.
- Familiarity with microcontrollers, show control, or interactive exhibit systems.
- Knowledge of museum conservation lighting standards.
- Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary exhibit development teams.
- Proficiency with lighting design and drafting software.
Responsibilities
- Design creative, functional, and maintainable A/V solutions for interactive science exhibits, immersive environments, galleries, and public spaces.
- Develop A/V concepts that reinforce exhibit narratives, educational objectives, and spatial design intent.
- Produce A/V documentation, including fixture schedules, wiring diagrams, control narratives, and aiming and focusing plans.
- Integrate lighting systems with exhibit electronics, including sensors, microcontrollers, show-control systems, and AV components.
- Program and configure lighting control systems, including networked or programmable controllers.
- Collaborate with Exhibit Electronics and Exhibit Engineering staff on system architecture, power distribution, and control strategies.
- Manage technical audiovisual equipment and operations at Energy Stage, including the planetarium’s in-house audiovisual, media, and traveling exhibit systems that interface with the house system.
- Work with exhibit designers, graphic designers, educators, curators, the exhibit electronics manager, facilities, and operations teams during development of new exhibit interactives.
- Participate in exhibit design reviews, prototyping sessions, shop builds, and installation schedules.
- Support special events, temporary exhibits, and traveling exhibitions as needed.
- Inspect, service, and repair museum exhibits and exhibit-related equipment daily to support reliability and visitor satisfaction.
- Troubleshoot, test, and modify electronic circuits, wiring, and components.
- Assist with prototyping, construction, and testing of new exhibit technologies.
- Support installation and de-installation of traveling and special exhibitions, including setup of electrical and technical systems.
- Mentor Exhibit Electronics technician staff during exhibit maintenance, repairs, and operations.
- Assist in planning exhibit lifecycles with an emphasis on energy efficiency, durability, and ease of maintenance.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
