Audio Video Engineering Manager

Automation Arts; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Automation Arts seeks an Engineering Manager to lead the day-to-day operations of the Engineering Department and balance management with active engineering contributions.

The role requires maintaining technical proficiency while guiding a team through complex projects, ensuring quality, schedules, and client commitments are met.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of audiovisual engineering, system design, or related technical experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams, projects, or departmental initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AV system design, integration methodologies, and industry best practices.
• Experience with engineering and documentation platforms such as AutoCAD, D-Tools, Visio, Revit, or similar applications.

Responsibilities

• Hold engineering personnel accountable for accuracy, efficiency, documentation quality, and adherence to company standards.
• Review engineering deliverables to ensure consistency, completeness, and technical accuracy.
• Monitor department performance metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead initiatives focused on process optimization and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Hands-on engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD

D-Tools

Visio

Revit

Job description

At Automation Arts our Core Values are the foundation of our Culture. The core values and culture allow us to be successful and push us to be better as a company and individually. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we believe in Empowering them to make decisions, and training them to be the very best they can be. Personal and career growth is fostered to not only advance individual growth, but to grow the culture, and company. We strive to attract talented individuals who are passionate, professional, and ambitious. Honesty and transparency allow us to be one team that strives to give our clients the best experience possible.

The Position

Engineering Manager

Posted: 7.20.26

Automation Arts Culture

At Automation Arts our Core Values are the foundation of our Culture. The core values and culture allow us to be successful and push us to be better as a company and individually. Our employees are our greatest asset, and we believe in Empowering them to make decisions, and training them to be the very best they can be. Personal and career growth is fostered to not only advance individual growth, but to grow the culture, and company. We strive to attract talented individuals who are passionate, professional, and ambitious. Honesty and transparency allow us to be one team that strives to give our clients the best experience possible.

The Position

The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations, performance, and development of the Engineering Department. This position ensures engineering deliverables are accurate, efficient, compliant with Automation Arts standards, and aligned with project objectives.

The Engineering Manager provides leadership and accountability for engineering personnel while continually improving departmental processes, technical standards, and tools. This is a hands‑on leadership position that balances management responsibilities with active engineering contributions. The Engineering Manager is expected to maintain technical proficiency and provide direct engineering support during periods of high workload, complex project requirements, staffing transitions, or resource constraints.

The Engineering Manager serves as a capacity resource for the department, assisting with engineering deliverables as needed to maintain project schedules, support team success, and ensure consistent client outcomes.

The Engineering Manager works closely with the Director of Technology to develop strategic initiatives, evaluate emerging technologies, improve engineering workflows, and expand Automation Arts' technology offerings.

The Engineering Manager serves as the primary resource for engineering team development, quality assurance, process improvement, pricing updates, software administration, and technical innovation.

The Engineering Manager is first and foremost a leader of people, standards, and processes; however, they are also expected to remain technically engaged and contribute directly to engineering deliverables when needed to support department capacity, project success, and client commitments.

Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the Engineering Department.
• Lead and manage engineering personnel, workloads, priorities, and resource allocation.
• Conduct regular one‑on‑one meetings and performance discussions with engineering team members.
• Establish departmental goals, objectives, and performance expectations.
• Support hiring, onboarding, training, mentoring, and career development initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
• Coordinate with Sales, Project Management, Programming, Commissioning, and Operations teams to ensure alignment and successful project execution.
• Monitor department utilization, capacity, and forecasted workload requirements.
• Develop staffing recommendations and resource plans to support company growth.

Technical Contribution & Capacity Support

• Maintain working knowledge of current engineering standards, tools, methodologies, and technologies.
• Actively participate in engineering activities when departmental capacity requires additional support.
• Assist with system design, drawing production, scope development, equipment selection, documentation, and technical review efforts as needed.
• Provide technical leadership and engineering support on complex or high‑profile projects.
• Serve as a resource for engineers requiring technical guidance, troubleshooting, or design assistance.
• Support project teams during critical project milestones or periods of elevated department workload.
• Function as a department "pressure valve" by helping balance workload demands while maintaining quality and schedule commitments.
• Identify recurring workload challenges and recommend staffing, training, process, or technology improvements to increase departmental capacity.
• Maintain hands‑on familiarity with Automation Arts engineering standards, tools, and workflows to ensure practical and effective leadership.

Engineering Quality & Accountability

• Hold engineering personnel accountable for accuracy, efficiency, documentation quality, and adherence to company standards.
• Review engineering deliverables to ensure consistency, completeness, and technical accuracy.
• Monitor department performance metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and constructive feedback to engineering personnel.
• Support performance improvement initiatives when expectations are not met.
• Ensure engineering activities support project schedules, budgets, and client expectations.

Standards, Process & Continuous Improvement

• Assist in creating, maintaining, and updating Automation Arts engineering standards.
• Develop and document best practices, workflows, templates, and engineering procedures.
• Drive standardization efforts to improve consistency, efficiency, and scalability
• Ensure engineering documentation remains current with industry standards, manufacturer requirements, and company expectations.
• Lead initiatives focused on process optimization and continuous improvement.

Software, Tools & Pricing Management

• Manage engineering software platforms, licensing, templates, and related resources.
• Maintain engineering databases, equipment libraries, and design standards.
• Oversee engineering‑related pricing updates and labor standards.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, Sales, and Leadership to ensure pricing accuracy and consistency.
• Evaluate software platforms, engineering tools, and workflow technologies that improve efficiency and deliverable quality.
• Coordinate software training and adoption within the engineering team

Technology Development & Innovation

• Collaborate with the Director of Technology and engineering team to evaluate emerging technologies, products, and industry trends.
• Research and develop new technology offerings that support company growth strategies.
• Participate in manufacturer relationships, product evaluations, demonstrations, and training initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to leverage automation, artificial intelligence, and innovative engineering practices to improve workflows and customer outcomes.
• Assist in strategic planning for future engineering capabilities and service offerings.
• Promote a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the department.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales to ensure engineering scope, budgets, and solution designs align with project requirements.
• Support project teams during design reviews and technical decision‑making processes.
• Participate in management meetings and strategic planning initiatives.
• Collaborate with Programming, Commissioning, Operations, and Project Management teams to improve project execution and customer satisfaction.
• Serve as a technical and operational liaison between departments when needed.

Accountability

The Engineering Manager reports directly to the Director of Technology and is accountable for department performance, engineering quality, team development, resource management, standards compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This position also supports organizational objectives by collaborating with other department leaders, employees, vendors, manufacturers, and clients to achieve successful project outcomes and strategic goals.

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of audiovisual engineering, system design, or related technical experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading technical teams, projects, or departmental initiatives.
• Strong understanding of AV system design, integration methodologies, and industry best practices.
• Experience with engineering and documentation platforms such as AutoCAD, D-Tools, Visio, Revit, or similar applications.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical project work with personnel leadership and departmental management responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain hands‑on engineering proficiency while leading departmental operations and strategic initiatives.

Preferred

• 3+ years of formal leadership, supervisory, or management experience.
• CTS, CTS-D, CTS-I, or equivalent industry certifications.
• Experience with enterprise networking concepts and AV-over‑IP technologies.
• Experience developing standards, workflows, and process improvement initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Technology, Business, or a related field.

Additional Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional leadership, coaching, and team-development skills.
• Strong technical aptitude and analytical problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to effectively prioritize competing department and project demands.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong decision‑making and conflict‑resolution capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of business operations and resource management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and business productivity tools.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel as required.