Design Engineer

Conference Technologies; Washington, Reston (District of Columbia, VA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fun culture

Growth opportunities

Medical benefits

401K matching

Bonus eligibility

PTO and holidays

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Cell phone allowance

Job summary

Conference Technologies, a leading AV provider, seeks a Design Engineer in the Washington DC area to translate client concepts into build‑ready AV designs. You’ll be the technical backbone from concept through execution, partnering with Sales, PMs, BIM/CAD, and field teams to keep projects smart, buildable, and CTI‑compliant.

You will design commercial AV systems, create signal flow diagrams, review scope, select equipment, and ensure designs meet budgets and CTI standards.

Qualifications

• 3+ years designing commercial AV systems.
• Strong experience creating AV documentation/drawings (signal flow, system drawings, Visio/CAD).
• Comfort selecting equipment and building solutions that are practical and within budget.
• Communication skills for cross-team coordination.
• Collaborative, proactive work style; ability to obtain TS clearance if needed.

Responsibilities

• Design complete commercial AV systems (conference rooms, boardrooms, training spaces).
• Create AV signal flow diagrams, system drawings, and documentation (Visio and/or CAD).
• Review project scope, proposals and kickoff info to clarify requirements.
• Select equipment and define system architecture aligned with CTI standards and budgets.
• Coordinate with Sales, PMs, BIM/CAD, architects, consultants, IT, and electrical stakeholders.
• Provide technical direction and QA on drawings for field use.
• Support execution with answers and design updates due to site conditions or product availability.

Skills

AV design

CAD/Visio drawings

Cross-team comms

TS clearance preferred

Tools

Visio

CAD

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Washington DC - Reston , VA 20190

Who We Are

CTI has been a leading Audio Visual provider for over 38 years. Since we began in 1988, our mission has been simple: to provide a fantastic customer experience.

At CTI, our biggest asset is our people, and we know that sometimes the most awesome employees don’t fit the typical mold. If you are hardworking and friendly and know the importance of fantastic customer service, you could be a good fit at CTI. We have developed a collaborative and lively working environment, where the best and the brightest show up to work each day ready to have fun and employ their passion for and knowledge of technology in everything they do. This creative atmosphere helps us apply and share our skills with our clients, who seek quality, high-end Audio Visual, and Conference Solutions.

What You’ll Do

As a Design Engineer, you’ll take a client’s big ideas and turn them into clear, build-ready AV system designs. You’ll be the technical backbone from concept through execution support—partnering with Sales, PMs, BIM/CAD, and the field to keep projects smart, buildable, and aligned with CTI standards (and yes…with a little fun along the way).

• Design complete commercial AV systems (conference rooms, boardrooms, training spaces, enterprise collaboration environments, etc.)
• Create AV signal flow diagrams, system drawings, and documentation (Visio and/or CAD)
• Review project scope, proposals, and kickoff info—then ask the right questions to clarify technical requirements and assumptions
• Select AV equipment and define system architecture that aligns with CTI standards, real-world constraints, and budgets
• Collaborate with Sales, Project Managers, BIM/CAD teams, architects, consultants, IT, and electrical stakeholders to keep designs coordinated and buildable
• Provide technical direction and quality assurance on drawings so the field can trust what’s on the page
• Support execution with answers and adjustments: field/programming questions, procurement clarifications/substitutions, and design updates due to site conditions or product availability

What Success Looks Like

• Designs that install cleanly with minimal rework (aka fewer “uh-oh” moments on the jobsite)
• Clear, accurate documentation the field can trust (because good drawings make everyone’s day better)
• Projects that meet client expectations, CTI standards, and budget
• Strong collaboration across Sales, PMs, BIM/CAD, and field teams—with room for CTI’s “fun is mandatory” culture

What You Bring

• 3+ years designing commercial AV systems (not entry-level—bring your signal flow skills)
• Strong experience creating AV documentation/drawings (signal flow, system drawings, Visio/CAD)
• Comfort selecting equipment and building solutions that are practical, buildable, and aligned to standards/budget
• Communication skills that make cross-team coordination easy (you can translate tech to humans)
• A collaborative, supportive work style—independent when needed, curious enough to ask great questions
• TS clearance preferred or ability to obtain.

What’s In It For You?

At CTI, we know our company’s success is directly correlated to the success of our employees. So, it’s fitting that we thrive on and encourage employee growth, both professionally and personally. Our competitive compensation package includes:

• A culture where “fun is mandatory”, teams value your ideas, we celebrate wins (big and small), and you have support
• Opportunities for growth and learning
• Competitive base salary
• Employer-matched medical, prescription, and dental insurance (available after 60 days of employment)
• Employer matched 401K up to 3% (after 6 months of employment)
• Bonus eligibility that is based off our results-oriented incentive plan (after 3 months of employment)
• A graduated PTO program, all major holidays off, as well as three “floating” holidays, available upon your first day of employment
• Special gifts for significant life events, such as marriage, the birth of a child, and buying a house
• Cell phone reimbursement plan
• Long- and Short-Term Disability 100% paid by CTI
• Life Insurance 100% paid by CTI

CTI. is an equal opportunity employer. We do not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.