Operations Manager - Technical and SFX

BEAT THE BOMB•Charlotte, NC

11d•$50,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

BEAT THE BOMB is hiring an Operations Manager - Technical and SFX for its Charlotte location, an immersive group entertainment venue featuring interactive game rooms, laser mazes, arcade lounges, food and beverage service, and private event spaces. The position is the primary onsite contact for maintaining the venue’s game technology and special effects, including interactive rooms, projectors, RFID technology, the network, and paint, foam, and slime cannons. The manager leads and develops junior technology and SFX staff, serves as the onsite technical and special-effects lead during key shifts, and coordinates with the company’s CTO and Technology Manager. Working alongside the Charlotte leadership team, the role also supports general venue operations and guest experience. Night, weekend, and holiday availability is required, as is willingness to respond to occasional after-hours emergencies.

Requirements

At least 3 years of IT and/or AV support experience for a venue-based operation, such as an office, school, church, arcade, or family-entertainment center.
At least 1 year of experience working with or in interactive or activated venues, such as laser tag arenas, arcades, go-karts, golf or driving ranges, airsoft or paintball venues, modern bowling alleys, or museums.
Working knowledge of Windows systems, PC hardware, and OS configuration.
Basic networking literacy, including modems, routers, switches, and IPv4.
Comfort debugging and testing AV and mechanical issues.
Mechanical, electrical, or plumbing fixes do not intimidate you.
Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays.
Ability to lift 50 pounds.
Clear communication, calmness under pressure, and ability to solve problems on the fly.
Enjoyment of working with teammates and guests.
Willingness to be a hands-on teammate and work in a fast-paced, messy paint-blast facility.
Track record of motivating talent and leading a team through a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.
Experience managing venue-based entertainment or food and beverage operations.
Experience with remote desktop tools, especially RustDesk.
Experience with NDI systems.
Experience with VLANs.
Experience with Slack.
Experience with Google tools, including Drive, Docs, and Slides.
Experience assembling tower PCs and NUCs.
Experience with networked CCTV cameras and/or Reolink.
Basic maker skills involving LED strips, electronics, and audio systems, including soldering.

Responsibilities

Maintain and repair the reliability of technology and special-effects systems, including computers, cabling, laser mazes, compressors, HVAC filters, bomb room effects, and photo bomb systems.
Serve as onsite technology and SFX lead during key shifts and respond to urgent issues, including occasional after-hours emergencies.
Track and report technology and SFX issues through End-of-Day reports.
Manage technology inventory and spare-parts stock.
Maintain the server room and location network.
Support HQ’s Technology team with software updates, debugging, testing new games and features, and maintaining current SOPs.
Lead technology training for managers and staff.
Manage facility vendors, including pest control and repair services, and oversee in-house laundry for hazmat suits.
Recruit, train, schedule, and coach the technology and SFX team; conduct one-on-ones and performance reviews, and resolve conflicts.
Open and close the location, work in roles as needed, and support guest reservations, check-in, and onboarding.
Communicate regularly with HQ’s CTO and Technology Manager.
Uphold service quality, safety, and guest satisfaction standards.
Pitch in wherever needed, including blasting guests with paint, foam, and slime.