Technical Planner

ES:ME Entertainment Services; Doha; On-site; QAR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

ES:ME Entertainment Services seeks an experienced Technical Planner to lead AV and rigging planning for events. You will translate client briefs into detailed technical plans, develop Vectorworks drawings, and document rigging layouts for complex productions.

You will collaborate with clients, designers, venues, and suppliers to deliver accurate, safe, and compliant plans that meet tight production timelines.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in technical planning, event production, AV, or related fields.
• Advanced/professional Vectorworks skills with ability to produce detailed drawings independently.
• Strong knowledge of event rigging and temporary structures.
• Experience translating concepts into detailed technical plans and drawings.
• Familiarity with AV environments and venue/infrastructure considerations.

Responsibilities

• Translate briefs and client requirements into detailed technical plans and Vectorworks drawings.
• Develop Vectorworks drawings for AV, rigging, staging, lighting, video, and structures.
• Produce rigging layouts, ground plans, elevations, sections, and equipment layouts.
• Coordinate with rigging suppliers, engineers, venues, and contractors.
• Create and maintain final technical drawing packages for onsite teams.
• Review venue information and ensure plans are accurate, safe, and compliant.

Skills

Vectorworks

Rigging

Technical planning

3D modelling

Event production

Education

Technical degree in event production/engineering/architecture/technical theatre

Tools

Vectorworks

Job description

We are looking for an experienced and highly skilled Technical Planner to join our AV production team, with a strong focus on rigging, event infrastructure, and technical planning.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years' experience translating event concepts, creative designs, and client requirements into accurate, detailed, and technically deliverable production plans.

A key requirement of this role is advanced proficiency in Vectorworks, with the ability to produce professional technical drawings, rigging plans, layouts, elevations, sections, and detailed production documentation suitable for use by project managers, production teams, suppliers, riggers, and onsite crews.

You will work closely with clients, project managers, designers, production teams, venues, and suppliers to turn ideas into practical technical solutions while ensuring that plans are accurate, safe, compliant, and achievable within the event environment.

Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Planning & Design

Technical Planner – AV & Rigging

Department: Technical / Production

Location: Doha/Dubai/Riyadh

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: COO/ CEO

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and highly skilled Technical Planner to join our AV production team, with a strong focus on rigging, event infrastructure, and technical planning.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years' experience translating event concepts, creative designs, and client requirements into accurate, detailed, and technically deliverable production plans.

A key requirement of this role is advanced proficiency in Vectorworks, with the ability to produce professional technical drawings, rigging plans, layouts, elevations, sections, and detailed production documentation suitable for use by project managers, production teams, suppliers, riggers, and onsite crews.

You will work closely with clients, project managers, designers, production teams, venues, and suppliers to turn ideas into practical technical solutions while ensuring that plans are accurate, safe, compliant, and achievable within the event environment.

Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Planning & Design

• Translate client briefs, event concepts, creative designs, and production requirements into detailed technical plans.
• Develop comprehensive Vectorworks drawings for AV, rigging, staging, lighting, video, audio, structures, and associated event infrastructure.
• Produce detailed:
• Rigging plans
• Ground plans
• Elevations and sections
• Equipment layouts
• Truss and structure plans
• AV system layouts
• Cable and equipment plans
• Technical details and construction drawings
• Venue integration plans
• Interpret architectural, structural, and venue drawings and incorporate relevant information into technical plans.
• Develop plans from initial concept through to final construction/installation documentation.
• Identify technical challenges and develop practical solutions during the planning stage.
• Ensure drawings accurately reflect the agreed scope, equipment requirements, dimensions, and site conditions.

Rigging

• Plan and document temporary event rigging installations, including truss, motors, points, structures, and suspended equipment.
• Develop accurate rigging layouts based on venue information, available rigging points, approved capacities, and event requirements.
• Coordinate with rigging suppliers, structural engineers, venues, and specialist contractors where required.
• Understand and incorporate relevant rigging, loading, weight distribution, and safety requirements into technical planning.
• Ensure proposed rigging solutions are technically feasible and clearly documented for onsite implementation.
• Review venue rigging information and identify limitations, conflicts, or additional requirements before production.

Client & Project Support

• Work closely with project managers and clients to understand technical requirements and translate them into clear production documentation.
• Attend site visits, technical meetings, venue inspections, and client meetings when required.
• Provide technical input during the development of event concepts and proposals.
• Review client and designer drawings and provide technical feedback where necessary.
• Communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Support project teams with accurate technical information, drawings, equipment requirements, and revisions throughout the project lifecycle.

Production & Onsite Support

• Produce final technical drawing packages for use by onsite production and installation teams.
• Ensure drawings are kept current and accurately reflect the latest project requirements.
• Manage drawing revisions and maintain clear version control.
• Liaise with onsite teams to resolve technical issues and drawing queries.
• Attend installations and events where required to verify that planned solutions are correctly implemented.
• Update plans following site changes, client revisions, or technical developments.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years' professional experience in technical planning, event production, AV, entertainment, exhibition, or a closely related industry.
• Advanced/professional-level Vectorworks skills with a proven ability to produce detailed technical drawings independently.
• Strong practical knowledge of event rigging and temporary structures.
• Proven experience translating creative event concepts and client briefs into detailed technical plans.
• Strong understanding of AV production environments, including familiarity with audio, video, lighting, staging, power, and associated infrastructure.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, venue, and engineering drawings.
• Strong understanding of dimensions, scale, spatial planning, equipment clearances, and technical feasibility.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and drawing revisions simultaneously.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight production deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a practical approach to technical challenges.

Desirable Skills & Qualifications

• Experience planning large-scale live events, concerts, corporate events, exhibitions, festivals, or experiential productions.
• Experience working with major venues, convention centres, hotels, arenas, or outdoor event sites.
• Knowledge of Vectorworks Spotlight and/or Braceworks.
• Experience with 3D modelling and visualisation within Vectorworks.
• Understanding of rigging calculations, point loading, structural limitations, and temporary structures.
• Familiarity with relevant local and international event safety standards and regulations.
• Experience working with structural engineers, rigging specialists, venue technical teams, and production suppliers.
• Technical qualification or degree in event production, engineering, architecture, technical theatre, or a related discipline.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate will be:

• Technically minded with exceptional attention to detail.
• Highly proficient and confident in Vectorworks.
• Practical and solutions-oriented.
• Comfortable working from both highly developed designs and early-stage concepts.
• Able to visualise complex technical installations in three dimensions.
• Organised and methodical with excellent document control.
• Confident communicating technical information to clients and production teams.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced event environment where requirements can change quickly.
• Proactive in identifying potential technical issues before they become onsite problems.
• Safety-conscious and committed to delivering technically sound and achievable solutions.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on a diverse range of high-profile AV and live event projects.
• A technically challenging role with significant responsibility for the planning and delivery of complex productions.
• The opportunity to work alongside experienced production, AV, rigging, and creative teams.
• Exposure to large-scale events and technically complex installations.
• A collaborative and fast-paced working environment.
• Salary negotiable