Curator | Computer History Museum

Calmuseums; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA is seeking a Curator to steward the history of computing, identify artifacts, and interpret the people and ideas that shaped our digital world.

This hybrid, full-time role combines collecting, exhibition development, oral histories, digital content creation, and public engagement to bring computing history to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in History, Museum Studies, Science & Technology Studies, Information Studies, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. in a related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in a museum, archive, academic institution, research organization, technology company, or similar environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the history of computing and contemporary technology.
• Experience developing exhibitions, digital content, public history initiatives, or interpretive programming.
• Experience conducting historical research and creating engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Experience with collecting, archives, oral histories, or preservation of historically significant materials.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Proven ability to build relationships with researchers, donors, collectors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to translate complex technical topics into compelling stories for both technical and general audiences.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial, and adaptable with a preference for digital preservation or emerging technologies.

Responsibilities

• Research, document, and interpret the history of computing, with emphasis on developments from the past 25 years and their impact on society.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue acquisitions of artifacts, archives, software, born-digital materials, and corporate records.
• Conduct oral history interviews with innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, researchers, and other leaders.
• Develop exhibitions, digital content, publications, and educational resources that bring computing history to life for wide audiences.
• Collaborate with exhibit developers, designers, educators, collections, archival, and digital teams to create engaging museum experiences.
• Represent the Museum through presentations, VIP tours, media opportunities, conferences, and public programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with technology companies, researchers, donors, and industry leaders to strengthen the Museum's collections and public impact.
• Monitor emerging technologies and trends to guide future collecting priorities and long-term curatorial strategy.

Skills

Public speaking

Writing

Research

Project management

Public engagement

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in History/related field

Master's degree or PhD

Job description

Are you passionate about preserving the history of computing while helping shape how future generations understand technology? Do you enjoy combining historical research, storytelling, collecting, and public engagement?

We are currently in search of a Curator for the Computer History Museum. This position is hybrid in Mountain View, CA. This is a full-time, permanent position.

ORGANIZATION: Computer History Museum
LOCATION: Mountain View, CA
POSITION TITLE: Curator
SCHEDULE: Hybrid (60% onsite)
DURATION: Fulltime position with full benefits
YEARLY RATE: $90,000 - $100,000

Is This Your Dream Job? The Curator serves as a subject matter expert on the history of computing, helping identify, preserve, and interpret the people, technologies, and ideas that have shaped our digital world. This highly collaborative role combines collecting, exhibition development, oral history, digital content creation, and public engagement to ensure the Museum continues documenting both the history of computing and its ongoing impact on society.

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Bachelor's degree in History, Museum Studies, Science & Technology Studies, Information Studies, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• Preferred: Master's degree or Ph.D. in a related discipline
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in a museum, archive, academic institution, research organization, technology company, or similar environment
• Demonstrated knowledge of the history of computing and contemporary technology
• Experience developing exhibitions, digital content, public history initiatives, or interpretive programming
• Experience conducting historical research and creating engaging content for diverse audiences
• Experience with collecting, archives, oral histories, or preservation of historically significant materials
• Excellent writing, presentation, and public speaking skills
• Proven ability to build relationships with researchers, industry leaders, donors, collectors, and other stakeholders
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to translate complex technical topics into compelling stories for both technical and general audiences
• Collaborative, intellectually curious, entrepreneurial, and adaptable
• Preferred: Experience with digital preservation, born-digital collections, software history, or emerging technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, robotics, gaming, or networking

How You Will Spend Your Day:

• Research, document, and interpret the history of computing, with an emphasis on developments from the past 25 years and their impact on society.
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue acquisitions of historically significant artifacts, archives, software, born-digital materials, and corporate records.
• Conduct oral history interviews with innovators, entrepreneurs, engineers, researchers, and other leaders whose work has shaped computing history.
• Develop exhibitions, digital content, publications, and educational resources that bring computing history to life for a wide range of audiences.
• Collaborate with exhibit developers, designers, educators, collections, archival, and digital teams to create engaging museum experiences.
• Represent the Museum through presentations, VIP tours, media opportunities, conferences, and public programs.
• Build and maintain relationships with technology companies, collectors, researchers, donors, and industry leaders to strengthen the Museum's collections and public impact.
• Monitor emerging technologies and trends to help guide future collecting priorities and long-term curatorial strategy. We'd love to hear from you.

Careers In Nonprofits is an equal opportunity employer. Empowered by the #ILoveMyJob mission, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment within the nonprofit sector.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regretfully can only respond to those candidates who best meet the requirements of a specific position or whose backgrounds are generally applicable to our client base. Please rest assured that we retain all candidate information for possible future matches, even if you do not hear from us in regard to your application in response to this ad.