AV Design and Show Control Engineer

Theme Park AV; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Theme Park AV seeks an experienced AV integration specialist to design, program, install, and commission complex show systems for attractions and immersive experiences. You will develop technical documentation, wiring diagrams, and control logic across platforms such as Q-SYS, Crestron, Alcorn McBride, and AMX.

The role combines design work with field installation and on-site problem solving. The ideal candidate has 3+ years of hands-on AV experience, strong reliability, and excellent

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on AV design, show control, installation and commissioning.
• Experience with Q-SYS, Crestron, AMX or similar platforms.
• Ability to document systems with diagrams and wiring layouts.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver AV and show control systems for attractions and immersive spaces.
• Develop technical docs: signal flows, wiring diagrams, layouts, and cueing structures.
• Program and support AV platforms and integrate systems into unified controls.
• Hands-on installation, testing, commissioning, and onsite problem solving.

Skills

AV design

Show control

Installation

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

Audiovisual Technology degree

Tools

Q-SYS

Crestron

Alcorn McBride

AMX

Job description

About the Role

This role is for someone who can bridge creative ideas and technical execution. Our work lives in themed entertainment, attractions, exhibits, immersive environments, and other experience-driven spaces where audio, video, lighting, control, automation, and show systems all need to work together reliably. The right person for this role is not just familiar with AV systems, but they have hands-on experience designing, programming, installing, testing, and troubleshooting integrated systems in real project environments. This is a fast-moving, detail-heavy role that requires strong technical ability, good judgment, follow-through, and excellent organization and integrity. You will work with creative teams, clients, project managers, engineers, installers, and trades to turn creative intent into functioning systems. Some days may involve design documentation, equipment selection, programming, or support portal troubleshooting. Other days may involve building racks, configuring systems, commissioning equipment on site, or solving issues under tight project timelines. This role is ideally based in Knoxville, TN, but remote work may be considered depending on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and overall fit.

What You’ll Do

You will help design and deliver AV and show control systems for attractions, exhibits, immersive experiences, and venue-based installations. This includes developing technical documentation such as signal flows, wiring diagrams, equipment layouts, system drawings, control logic, cueing structures, and timecode playback details. You will program, configure, and support AV and show control platforms such as Q-SYS, Crestron, Alcorn McBride, AMX, or similar systems. The work may involve integrating audio, video, lighting, media playback, automation, animatronics, ride systems, special effects, DSPs, PLCs, show controllers, media servers, and show action equipment into unified control systems. You will also be involved in hands-on installation and commissioning. This may include preparing and testing equipment before shipment, building and wiring racks, terminating connectors, loading system files, configuring networked components, calibrating audio and video systems, and validating that systems perform as expected. Because our projects are complex and often time-sensitive, you will need to troubleshoot issues clearly and quickly. You may support systems during installation, commissioning, or live operation, and you may also provide technical support through our company support portal for AV, show control, programming, configuration, and system performance issues. You will help coordinate with project managers, clients, trades, and internal teams to keep work moving, identify resource needs, communicate progress, and flag risks such as equipment delays, technical problems, or schedule challenges.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone with 3+ years of real, hands‑on experience in AV system design, show control, installation, configuration, and commissioning. You should be ready and prepared to jump in on new and exciting projects in themed entertainment. Just as important as technical ability, we need someone who is reliable, honest, detail-oriented, and able to work in a fast-moving environment. This role requires someone who can communicate clearly, take ownership of their work, ask good questions, think ahead and follow through when the work gets challenging. Strong candidates will have experience with:

• AV system design, show control, installation, configuration, or commissioning
• Q-SYS, Crestron, Alcorn McBride, AMX, or similar platforms
• Audio, video, lighting, DSPs, media servers, PLCs, automation, show controllers, or show action equipment
• Signal flow, structured cabling, low-voltage systems, AV networking, and system troubleshooting
• Technical documentation such as system drawings, wiring diagrams, equipment layouts, and signal flows
• Cable routing, labeling, soldering, and connector termination

Other Requirements

• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Authorized to work in the United States
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and passport
• Reliable transportation and clean driving record
• Ability to travel for projects, including extended on-site assignments lasting two or more weeks as needed

Preferred Experience

A degree in Audiovisual Technology or a related field is helpful, but equivalent on-the-job experience is just as valuable.

Experience in themed entertainment, attractions, exhibits, immersive environments, live entertainment, or venue-based installations is strongly preferred.

AVIXA CTS certification is preferred but not required.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This role includes both design work and hands‑on field work. You may work in an office, shop, warehouse, construction site, active installation environment, or completed venue depending on the project. The job may require lifting, loading, and organizing AV equipment such as cables, speakers, screens, racks, and related components. Employees may need to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for long periods, climb ladders, work at heights, and use power tools. Forklifts, pallet jacks, or other equipment may be used to move heavier items. Project conditions can vary and may include outdoor work, changing weather, large commercial spaces, or construction environments. Project schedules may also require evenings, weekends, travel between the office and job sites, out-of-state or international travel, and extended on-site stays.