Flys (Automation) Senior Technician

UK Theatre Association; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent arts organization is seeking a Senior Technician to join their Flys team in Westminster. The role involves ensuring safety and quality in technical operations for rehearsals and performances. Candidates must have proven experience in technical theatre and automated flying systems, alongside strong teamwork and communication skills. This position is essential for delivering high-quality performances in a leading arts environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent track record in technical theatre.
• Current experience as a trained and safe operator of automated flying systems.
• Ability to assess production needs for Flys operations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure operational and production requirements are met during rehearsals and performances.
• Work collaboratively within the Flys Team.
• Demonstrate initiative in handling day-to-day problems.

Skills

Technical theatre experience

Automated flying system operation

AutoCAD

Health and Safety knowledge

Job description

About the role

We are seeking to recruit a Senior Technician to join our Flys team. The roles involve working as part of the Flys Team to ensure the operational and production requirements of rehearsals and performances are carried out to the highest possible standard of safety, efficiency, and quality. Our Technical, Production and Costume Department plays a leading part in ensuring our performances are of the highest quality by delivering technical excellence for every performance, rehearsal, and event. As part of our recent upgrade programme, the RBO has worked with Tait to develop and launch the EpiQ Automation Control system, ensuring the RBO as an industry leader in Automated Flying. The RBO has a fully automated Flys system whilst still applying the principles of Manual Flying in our work. As such, whilst we will provide training in the specifics of our system, we do require some automation experience as a foundation.

Role fit

This role will suit a team player with a collaborative approach to working and strong communication skills. You will be able to illustrate an ability to work unsupervised and show initiative in dealing with day‑to‑day problems, as well as a willingness to learn new skills and help train others. You will also be able to demonstrate:

Qualifications

• An excellent track record in technical theatre. Current experience is essential.
• Excellent record as a trained and safe operator of an automated flying system (RBO or equivalent).
• Ability to assess production needs for Flys operations in a repertory house.
• An appreciation of technical aspects of performance, with an understanding of the broader technical needs of other departments.
• Good understanding of AutoCAD.
• Good knowledge of Health and Safety relevant to the safe operation of a flying system or automation more broadly.

Applicants must have work authorisation for the UK. No agencies.

About the Royal Ballet and Opera House

The Royal Ballet and Opera continues to lead the way in opera, ballet, music and dance both live on stage and through multiple digital platforms, from live streaming to worldwide cinema screenings. Our Covent Garden theatre has been at the heart of London and British cultural life for three centuries. We are home to two world‑class Companies: The Royal Ballet and The Royal Opera.

The Royal Opera House describes the place we work, not who we are. The whole is always more than the sum of its parts – we may be a House, but three quarters of our audiences experience what we do outside this building. While our Covent Garden theatre is the nerve centre, the impact and influence of the organisation can be felt in every corner of the country, and around the world.

The Royal Ballet and Opera is one of the UK's leading arts organisations and our aim is to inspire imagination, ignite emotion and make the extraordinary for everyone. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion underpin all that we do. We want our people to be representative of the diversity in the UK. We understand the creativity and innovation that diversity can bring and strive to create an inclusive environment in which everyone can thrive.