Associate Director, Immersive Tech & Exhibitions - Hybrid

Calacademy; San Francisco, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

California Academy of Sciences seeks an Associate Director of Creative Technology to shape innovative visitor experiences. You will lead the Experience Studio’s Creative Technology function, setting technical vision for immersive exhibits, planetarium programs, and new experience formats.

Role focuses on innovation, real-time media, AI, and interactive environments, while building a capable team and partnering with external collaborators for reliable, evolving systems.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in creative technology and immersive media.
• 3–5 years in technical leadership; public experiences such as museum exhibitions or planetariums.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with real-time media, interactive environments, and physical computing.

Responsibilities

• Lead as Creative Technology Lead on major exhibition, immersive and planetarium initiatives from concept through delivery.
• Drive velocity by prototyping, rapid sketches, and proof-of-concepts to inspire exhibit ideas.
• Lead hands-on prototyping, testing with visitors, and ensure durable experiences in high-volume settings.
• Foreground emerging tech including computer vision, projection mapping, AI, AR/VR/XR, and physical computing.
• Oversee system architectures, specs, and documentation; manage vendors and contractors.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to translate science into engaging visitor experiences.

Skills

Innovation & Emerging Tech

Strategic Leadership

Lifecycle Management

Communication & Collaboration

Technical Expertise

Programming Languages

Education

Bachelor’s degree in relevant technical or design field

Tools

Unity

Unreal

TouchDesigner

Projection Mapping

Real-time Media

Job description

California Academy of Sciences seeks an Associate Director of Creative Technology to shape innovative visitor experiences. You will lead the Experience Studio’s Creative Technology function, setting technical vision for immersive exhibits, planetarium programs, and new experience formats.

Role focuses on innovation, real-time media, AI, and interactive environments, while building a capable team and partnering with external collaborators for reliable, evolving systems.