Assistant/Associate Professor of Scenic Stage Automation

University of North Carolina School of the Arts; North Carolina; On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor of Scenic Stage Automation for a two-year appointment. The role involves teaching specialized coursework, mentoring students through the production process, and enhancing the Stage Automation Program.

Applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Production or a related field and at least five years of professional experience. Candidates with an MFA or terminal degree and significant industry experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years professional experience in scenic technology or related field.
• Evidence of strong teaching potential and student mentorship.
• Professional experience supporting diverse identities and collaborative environments.

Responsibilities

• Teach coursework in Stage Automation and mentor students during production.
• Support and expand the Stage Automation Program with emerging technologies.
• Maintain the quality and integrity of the Stage Automation Programs.

Skills

Stage Automation

Technical Direction

Scenic Construction

CAD Drafting and Engineering

Project Management

Automation Programming and Integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Production or related field

Job description

Assistant/Associate Professor of Scenic Stage Automation

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

An EHRA application is required in order to be considered for a faculty position. Please note, EHRA applications do not have an employment entry section. Instead, a resume/CV will be required to be uploaded by the applicant, along with any other documents the Department or assigned Search Committee deem relevant for the review process. Applications will be treated confidentially until the final stages of the search process. Salary will be commensurate with experience. UNCSA follows the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) guidelines for faculty credentialing. The successful candidate will be required to submit a curriculum vitae, official transcripts of earned degrees, and/or substantiating documentation of experiential qualifications as a condition of employment. Pursuant to UNCSA policy, as a condition of employment the University must obtain a criminal background report and determine that the nature and seriousness of any criminal offenses do not render employment with the University inappropriate.

Position Information

Position Title: Assistant/Associate Professor of Scenic Stage Automation

Position Number: 030257

School/Department: The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), School of Design and Production has a low “student to faculty” ratio and a collaborative environment. The UNCSA resident faculty is made up of artists who have distinguished careers in the profession. The faculty is encouraged to continue professional activities while employed at the School. The University is supported by more than 150 guest artists throughout the year and collaborates with various educational, cultural, civic, and business organizations to promote the importance of the arts in our society.

Position Summary

This position is a time-limited appointment with a duration of two years.

• Teach coursework within the Undergraduate Stage Automation and Graduate Stage Automation curricula.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students throughout the production process from engineering and estimating through fabrication, automation integration, technical rehearsals, load‑ins, and strike planning.
• Support and expand the Stage Automation Program with an emphasis on emerging technologies, automation systems, rigging systems, and industry-standard workflows.
• Teach and mentor students in areas including scenic construction, technical direction, project management, fabrication, automation integration, and production coordination.
• Advise students regarding curricular progress, portfolio development, and end‑of‑semester evaluations.
• Maintain the quality and integrity of the Stage Automation Programs through curricular development, mentorship, and high‑quality instruction.
• Assist in admissions and recruitment efforts through interviews, portfolio reviews, on‑campus recruitment events, and off‑site recruiting activities.
• Continue active professional engagement within the entertainment industry.
• Participate in shared governance by serving the program, school, and institution.
• Of students within the Graduate program the Stage Automation
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean of the School of Design and Production.

Specialization or certification in any of the following areas is highly desirable:

• Stage Automation
• Technical Direction
• Scenic Construction
• CAD Drafting and Engineering
• Metal Fabrication, including Welding and Machining
• Structural Design
• Project Management
• Emerging Entertainment Technologies
• Automation Programming and Integration

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Production, Scenic Technology, Stage Automation, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in scenic technology, technical direction, stage automation, or entertainment production.
• Evidence of professional work supporting diverse identities and collaborative environments.
• Evidence of strong teaching potential and student mentorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA or terminal degree in Technical Production or related discipline.
• Significant professional experience in live entertainment, themed entertainment, immersive entertainment, theatre, opera, dance, or large‑scale production environments.
• Experience with automation systems, rigging systems, control systems, CAD drafting, fabrication technologies, welding, machining, and project management.
• University‑level teaching experience and/or mentorship of emerging professionals.
• Industry certifications or specialized experience in automation, rigging, fabrication, or structural design.

Tenure Information

UNCSA utilizes a multi‑year contract system in lieu of tenure.

Documents Needed to Apply

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Portfolio
• List of References
• Teaching Philosophy

Contact Information

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

1533 South Main St.

Winston Salem, NC 27127

336-770-3399