Audio-Visual Systems Engineer

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join the Seattle Art Museum's AV Services team as an Audio-Visual Systems Engineer, where you'll bring art to life through cutting-edge technology. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of creativity and technical excellence, supporting world‑class exhibitions, performances, and events across three iconic museum locations.

As our AV Systems Engineer, you'll serve as a key technical resource for museum events and exhibitions. You'll plan, execute, and troubleshoot complex AV installations—from intimate artist talks to large‑scale theatrical performances and hybrid events connecting local and global audiences. This role combines hands‑on technical work with collaborative planning, requiring both deep AV expertise and excellent communication skills.

You’ll balance diverse priorities: maintaining and upgrading permanent AV infrastructure, designing and executing event setups, troubleshooting systems in real‑time, collaborating with curators and event planners, supervising on‑call technicians, and documenting systems and processes. Schedule flexibility is essential—you’ll work evenings and weekends to support museum programming, with advance coordination.

Full Time, Non‑exempt

Director of Technology

$36.63 - $40.72 an hour

Manage and operate AV systems across all museum locations for diverse programming including lectures, performances, corporate events, artist demonstrations, hybrid meetings, and private rentals.

Design and execute AV installations for exhibitions, including systems integrated within individual artworks.

Set up and operate hybrid event technology, including audio routing (microphones, Zoom, Dante), video switching, live streaming, and recording workflows.

Perform installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and teardown of permanent and temporary AV systems.

Troubleshoot audio, video, lighting control, networking, and conferencing systems.

Supervise on‑call staff and freelance technicians through event load‑in, execution, and strike.

Maintain equipment inventory and ensure safe installation practices.

Collaborate with the Associate Director on capital equipment selection and the Production Manager on rental equipment coordination.

Create and maintain technical documentation including SOPs, playbooks, signal flow diagrams, wiring schematics, and equipment inventories.

Train new AV staff and contractors on museum systems and best practices.

Collaborate with curators, event planners, educators, and development staff to understand AV requirements and deliver effective technical solutions.

Participate in equipment budgeting, project timelines, and safety assessments.

Stay current with emerging AV technologies and industry best practices.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Five years of experience in theatre, events, or professional audio‑visual work.

Demonstrated expertise in maintaining, troubleshooting, and operating AV systems including digital video projectors, live sound reinforcement, theatrical lighting, power distribution, and video recording equipment.

Experience with industry‑standard video switching and engineering systems.

Working knowledge of audio and lighting consoles.

Understanding of signal flow, system routing, and AV over IP concepts.

Knowledge of safe rigging practices and temporary electrical wiring (including varying voltage systems).

Proven ability to successfully execute high‑visibility events.

Excellent communication skills—ability to work effectively with both technical and non‑technical colleagues across all organizational levels, as well as artists, vendors, and external partners.

Strong organizational skills, time management, and ability to balance multiple priorities simultaneously.

Self‑motivated with demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Asana, Slack, and internet‑based research.

Ability to pass and maintain security background check…