Lead Exhibition Technical Engineer

Meow Wolf; Grapevine (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP

Dental and Vision Insurance

401k Retirement Plan

Parental Leave

Job summary

Meow Wolf’s Grapevine, TX location seeks a Lead Exhibition Technical Engineer to safeguard exhibit tech and drive enhancements across lighting, sound, video, projection, networking, and control systems. You’ll diagnose complex hardware/software issues, design improvements, and support events and new installations.

The role emphasizes SOP creation, cross-functional training, and maintaining system reliability for daily operations and special events.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5+ years of hands-on experience in emerging media tech or related fields.
• Associate degree or equivalent practical industry experience required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily inspections and preventive maintenance of exhibit tech and components.
• Author clear SOPs and train staff on new show control systems and diagnostic tools.
• Ensure high system availability for daily operations and events; deploy software and firmware updates.

Skills

DMX/ETC lighting

Q-SYS & Dante

TouchDesigner/Max/MSP

Micro-controllers & embedded

Python/C/C++/JavaScript

Linux/Windows/macOS admin

Git & CAD/CAM

Education

Associate degree or equivalent practical experience

Tools

CMMS database

SOP documentation

Job description

Privacy Notice for California Applicants and Employees Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. Come as you are! We are individuals who inspire creativity in people's lives through art and exploration, so that our combined imaginations can transform the world we live in. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastic realms of story and exploration.

Our Vision is to be the world’s leading creative company, reimagining the paradigm of art and storytelling, to make a positive difference in the world. We share a strong commitment to Belonging through our values of: Collaborative Creativity: We believe the act of creating together amplifies possibilities. Provocative Playfulness: We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery. Outsiders Welcome: We are all outsiders at heart, and we create space for everyone to feel like they belong. Authentic Compassion: We are “kind punks” - supportive to each other and standing up for what we believe in. Audacious Courage: We have the courage to radically reinvent ourselves to push the boundaries of art.

If this all sounds like YOU, read on….

Job Description

Job Disclosures

Location: (On-Site) Grapevine, TX

Job Summary

The Lead Exhibition Technical Engineer is a technologist that works in a unique and exceptional immersive arts exhibition covering areas of lighting, sound, video, projections, networking, show power, control & automation, interactive game mechanics, computer art installations, and animatronics. This role is responsible for repairs and preventive maintenance of exhibit technology, along with design and development of enhancements related to the functionality and overall experience of the exhibition. The ideal candidate should be proficient in redesigning or the rebuilding of problematic systems or installation of new systems. The Exhibition Technology team is tasked with operating and maintaining the exhibition daily, supporting special events, media events and contributing to new exhibit installations.

Job Responsibilities

• Maintenance & Operations: Conduct systematic daily inspections, routine cleaning, and comprehensive preventive maintenance across all exhibit technology, electronics, and interactive show components. Efficiently diagnose and resolve complex technical hardware and software issues, while accurately logging bug reports, repair histories, and maintenance schedules using the corporate CMMS database.
• Team Collaboration & Leadership: Partner closely with local exhibition staff, facility maintenance teams, and cross-site sister exhibition engineering groups to foster cross-functional knowledge transfer and collaborative problem-solving. Serve as a technical subject matter expert, authoring clear standard operating procedures (SOPs), guiding best practices, and training staff on operation of new show control systems and diagnostic tools.
• Technical Support & Integration: Guarantee high system availability for daily exhibit operations, special guest events, and media productions. Execute low-voltage wiring, device configuration, component replacement, and deployment of software, firmware, and media content updates across show control networks, theatrical/architectural lighting, Q-SYS audio, video, and micro-controllers.
• Project Development & Enhancements: Continuously observe visitor interactions to conceptualize and design technical enhancements that elevate the overall guest experience. Participate in the mechanical integration, physical fabrication, coding, and prototyping of custom interactive artwork, while thoroughly documenting as-built schematics, system topologies, and software version histories.

Required Qualifications

Experience & Education: 3 to 5+ years of hands‑on professional experience in emerging media technology, creative tech installations, software development, electrical engineering, or professional AV systems integration. Associate degree, technical institute certification, or equivalent practical industry experience required.

Technical Skills & Domain Expertise: Deep technical proficiency in theatrical/architectural lighting (DMX/ETC systems), networked audio protocols (Q-SYS, Dante), visual programming environments (TouchDesigner, Max/MSP), micro-controllers and embedded systems (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Teensy), low-voltage electronic schematics, and physical computing. Strong competence in reading and debugging code across languages such as Python, C/C++, JavaScript, and Node-RED, as well as working knowledge of Linux/Windows/macOS administration, networking principles, version control (Git), CAD/CAM software, and hands‑on fabrication tools.

Soft Skills & Safety Standards: Outstanding interpersonal communication, organizational, and self‑management skills with the ability to lead work projects effectively under direction from management. Uncompromising commitment to workplace safety protocols, electrical codes, standard operating procedures, and OSHA compliance (OSHA 10 General Industry preferred).

Work Environment and Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required. This job primarily operates in an indoor setting with exposure to noisy environments, dim lighting, strong visual effects including strobing lights, special effects, smoke machines and small and/or enclosed spaces. Outdoor settings may also be required for special events or as needed for maintenance and troubleshooting. This position may work at heights at times and equipment and training will be provided. Moving in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including small, enclosed spaces Remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers Positioning or moving objects up to 75 pounds Use of maintenance tools and cleaning equipment, includes use of cleaning agents and chemicals Use of lead free solder with smoke extraction required Use of access equipment such as ladders and aerial work platform Safe standards are required for work at heights Ability to operate and manipulate power tools, specialty lighting, fog machine, computers, rigging equipment, projectors and all other exhibit technical equipment as needed The employee will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position that requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Supervisor Responsibilities

This position does not require supervisory responsibility.

Travel

This position does not require travel.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

IMPACT

Meow Wolf is committed to our DIY roots and grassroots community support principles. To document that commitment, we converted our legal designation into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation and have certified as a B Corporation. As a B Corp, we have a triple bottom line of supporting financial, social and environmental wellbeing in our community.

INCLUSION

Meow Wolf is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to ensuring all employees enjoy and thrive in a work environment where differences make us the vibrant, wonderful community we are! All employment decisions at Meow Wolf are based on business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

BENEFITS

The choices we make concerning our benefits during enrollment periods are among the most important we select for ourselves and our families. As part of the total compensation package for full-time employees, Meow Wolf offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes various options to meet individual healthcare and financial needs along with many perks.

• Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• HSA, HRA, and FSA options
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Company paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s)
• Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks
• Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch and Cafes Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests
• Regular or Project Based Full-time positions

Please visit www.meowwolf.com/careers for more information.

Meow Wolf is an arts and entertainment company based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story and exploration.