Exhibition Technology Specialist

Meow Wolf•Houston, TX

1d•$32•Onsite

About The Position

The Exhibition Technology Specialist works as a technologist in a unique and exceptional immersive arts exhibition covering areas of lighting, sound, video, projections, networking, show power, control & automation, interactive game mechanics, computer art installations, and animatronics. The Exhibition Technology Specialist is responsible for repairs and preventive maintenance of exhibit technology, along with design and development of enhancements related to the functionality & overall experience of the exhibition. The ideal candidate should be proficient in redesigning or the rebuilding of problematic systems or installation of new systems during new installations. The Exhibition Technology team is tasked with operating and maintaining the exhibition daily, supporting special events, media events and contributing to new exhibit installations. This is a full-time hourly position which requires a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Pay is $32/hr. How you will do it… The Exhibition Technology Specialist will have expertise in areas of electrical systems, data distribution, electronics, micro-controllers, lighting, audio, video, coding and how they work together to create a complete & immersive show experience. This individual will carry out installations, repairs, and upgrades on technical show equipment and systems, adhering to electrical codes, regulations, and standards. Knowledge and familiarity with electrical drawings, electronic schematics, computer hardware, software, applications, and operating systems and IT infrastructure are required. Executing daily inspections and reporting, creation of and adherence to preventive maintenance schedules and the use of the Meow Wolf designated maintenance database, managing parts inventory and software backups are a must. In addition, the Exhibition Technology Specialist will ensure best practices, standard operating procedures, safety related work practices as well as build and create the documentation of custom interactive artwork, objects and installations that seam together sensors, micro-controllers, computers, lights, sound, video, and various electromechanical elements that are part of the exhibition. This role is charged with keeping these systems operational and coordinating with the exhibit-wide maintenance staff to repair and maintain all systems at the highest standard of quality. The Exhibition Technology Specialist will assist in training staff (exhibit team members, managers, creative operators, etc.) to engage the guests in the exhibition’s technical installations. The Exhibition Technology Specialist is also responsible for the implementation of the expanding goals of the exhibition, including engaging with the design, creative development, programming, systems engineering, mechanical integration, fabrication, and production of new interactive exhibit elements. Additional duties include but are not limited to: Working collaboratively with all Meow Wolf Staff within the exhibition staff and sister exhibitions to support team building, knowledge transfer and problem solving techniques. Respond and resolve any immediately solvable technical problems. Document all maintenance and inspections using the Corporate CMMS. Support all exhibit staff members as needed on projects and repairs. Review and document in the Bug Reports and Tech Failure Log for updates/changes in daily operation. Install, test and report on new software and firmware upgrades. Report needs of parts to the Exhibition Manager Clean, and maintain all exhibit tech pieces, tech closet/nook electronics and exhibit technical equipment. Work independently and in partnership with other exhibit teams to keep the exhibition clean, safe and functional. Update new media content and programming to exhibit devices and controllers as needed. Install, replace, connect, configure, and test any electronic devices, parts, tech equipment, computers, etc. as needed. Work with the Facility Maintenance team to solve any AC power problems, or upgrades. Observe guest interactions with the exhibition to conceptualize enhancements for the guest experience. Design and implementation of guest experience enhancements. Upgrading, enhancing, and the recreation of exhibit assets to better service their operation and functionality. Document all exhibit as-builts, upgrades and changes. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

3-5 years of professional experience working in performing arts, live events, immersive arts or theme park in one or more of the following disciplines: Emerging New Media Technologies: Generative audio and video, augmented and virtual reality, LIDAR and position tracking. Entertainment Technology: Lighting, sound, moving lights, video and projections, show and ride control systems, system automation/programming/scheduling. Software Development: front end web development, micro controller firmware programming (Arduino, Teensy, Raspberry pi, Advatek, Onlogic), programming(Processing, C++, Python), network messaging (OSC, UDP/TCP). Electrical or mechanical engineering: PCB design, layout and fabrication, working with sensors and electrical components (relays, solenoids, actuators, pneumatics, servos, motors), systems integration. Digital fabrication: 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC milling, CAD designs, parametric modeling.
Has a dedicated respect for safety standards and practices.
Be willing to work as an inspirational and motivated part of a team.
The ideal candidate for this position holds a minimum of an Associate degree, is a graduate of a Technical Institute, holds relevant Industry Certifications or has equivalent job experience.
Is competent and proficient in one or more of the following specialties: Theatrical Lighting and Projection / Video Systems Audio Systems, specifically Q-SYS & Networked Audio Protocols such as Dante Architectural Lighting Systems Touch Designer, Max/MSP, other Visual Programming Environments Processing, Arduino IDE, C++, Python, & other Creative Programming Environments Electrical Engineering and Low Voltage Electronics Creative Technology and Physical Computing Network Engineering Principles Reading & comprehending other people’s code & documentation and ability to adjust code.
Basic knowledge of GitHub and version controlled project management.
Has strong communication skills and ability to collaborate.
Has strong ability to self-manage and work collaboratively.
Has strong organizational and documentation capabilities.
Is highly detail oriented, meticulous, and organized.
Has strong fabrication skills and is skilled with power and hand tools.
The employee will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated competency troubleshooting and repairing embedded systems that incorporate Arduino, Teensy, and Raspberry Pi.
Advanced understanding of Max / MSP.
Advanced understanding of Touch Designer.
Ability to design using CAD & CAM software for use and fabrication with 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling machines.
Show Lighting Programming, in particular working with ETC systems.
Advanced understanding of Network Engineering & IT infrastructure.
Adept in programming languages such as Python, C/C++, Node Red, JavaScript; frameworks like NodeJS, Svelte/React; and protocols like OSC, MIDI, TCP/UDP.
Familiarity with PCBs, logic circuits, schematics, sensors/components, prototyping, and layout.
Comfortable configuring, troubleshooting, and administering Linux computers from the command line, Macs from the GUI and command line, and Windows PCs.
Experience with projectors and media servers.
OSHA 10 General Industry.

Responsibilities

Carry out installations, repairs, and upgrades on technical show equipment and systems, adhering to electrical codes, regulations, and standards.
Executing daily inspections and reporting, creation of and adherence to preventive maintenance schedules and the use of the Meow Wolf designated maintenance database, managing parts inventory and software backups
Build and create the documentation of custom interactive artwork, objects and installations that seam together sensors, micro-controllers, computers, lights, sound, video, and various electromechanical elements that are part of the exhibition.
Assist in training staff (exhibit team members, managers, creative operators, etc.) to engage the guests in the exhibition’s technical installations.
Engaging with the design, creative development, programming, systems engineering, mechanical integration, fabrication, and production of new interactive exhibit elements.
Working collaboratively with all Meow Wolf Staff within the exhibition staff and sister exhibitions to support team building, knowledge transfer and problem solving techniques.
Respond and resolve any immediately solvable technical problems.
Document all maintenance and inspections using the Corporate CMMS.
Support all exhibit staff members as needed on projects and repairs.
Review and document in the Bug Reports and Tech Failure Log for updates/changes in daily operation.
Install, test and report on new software and firmware upgrades.
Report needs of parts to the Exhibition Manager
Clean, and maintain all exhibit tech pieces, tech closet/nook electronics and exhibit technical equipment.
Work independently and in partnership with other exhibit teams to keep the exhibition clean, safe and functional.
Update new media content and programming to exhibit devices and controllers as needed.
Install, replace, connect, configure, and test any electronic devices, parts, tech equipment, computers, etc. as needed.
Work with the Facility Maintenance team to solve any AC power problems, or upgrades.
Observe guest interactions with the exhibition to conceptualize enhancements for the guest experience.
Design and implementation of guest experience enhancements.
Upgrading, enhancing, and the recreation of exhibit assets to better service their operation and functionality.
Document all exhibit as-builts, upgrades and changes.
Other duties as assigned.