Product Assurance Specialist - Live events control

Electronic Theatre Controls; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Electronic Theatre Controls in Austin, TX is seeking a Senior Product Assurance Specialist to verify Hog software and console behavior across platforms. This onsite role collaborates with R&D to ensure features meet real‑world touring and large‑venue workflows.

You will evaluate features for practical workflows, reproduce bugs with context from live shows, and help define quality benchmarks reflecting demanding productions.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on Hog console programming experience.
• Proven track record in professional live production.
• Deep familiarity with networked console systems and file architecture.
• Strong ability to communicate findings to engineers.

Responsibilities

• Verify Hog software and console behavior across platforms.
• Evaluate new features for practical workflows used in touring and large venues.
• Partner with R&D and Product Management to identify gaps and improvements.
• Reproduce and document bug fixes with real‑world context.
• Define quality benchmarks for touring, broadcast, large‑venue production.

Skills

Hog programming

Live production experience

Networked console systems

DMX/IP lighting networks

Education

Technical associate’s degree or 4-6 years of job-related experience

3–5 years of Technical Theater or industry experience

Job description

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Product Assurance Specialist - Live events control

Department: R&D

Region: South (US)

ETC, a global leader in entertainment and architectural lighting, is seeking a seasoned lighting programmer to join our R&D Live Event Controls team as a Senior Product Assurance Specialist. This is an onsite role based at our Austin, TX location.

Who We're Looking For

Someone that has spent a decade (or more) behind a Hog console. You know the platform not just from the programmer’s seat, but from the road — the festivals, the tours, and the real-world pressure of getting a rig show-ready.

A unique individual that has pushed the Hog family to its limits, and you can clearly articulate what helps (and what hurts) in the workflows lighting programmers depend on. In this role, your insight isn’t just “opinions” — it’s structured, testable feedback that helps the team make better product decisions that directly affect Hog programmers around the world.

This role is for someone who has lived production and now wants to shape the software that runs it.

What You'll Do

• Perform hands‑on verification of Hog software and console behavior across current platforms and configurations (e.g., Tour Hog, Flex Hog, Road Hog 4-21 and Full Boar 4), with attention to interoperability and real‑world networked systems
• Evaluate new features with a critical programmer’s eye: do they support practical workflows used by working lighting programmers and designers across touring, theatre, broadcast, and large‑venue production? Do they hold up in a networked multi‑console rig under show conditions?
• Partner directly with R&D and Product Management to identify edge cases, workflow gaps, and opportunities for improvement — your field experience is the asset
• Reproduce, document, and advocate for bug fixes with the context of someone who has felt those issues mid‑show
• Engage with ETC’s professional user community and bring broad practitioner‑level insight to internal discussions, helping ensure feedback reflects multiple disciplines—not just a single personal workflow
• Help define quality benchmarks that reflect the demands of touring, broadcast, and large‑venue production

What You Bring

• 5 years, or more, of hands‑on Hog console programming experience — Hog platform fluency is essential
• A track record in professional live production: touring, concert, theatrical, broadcast, or large‑scale events
• Deep familiarity with networked console systems, show file architecture, and real‑world troubleshooting
• Strong instincts for what “correct” looks and feels like from an operator’s perspective
  Comfort communicating technical findings clearly, in writing and in conversation with engineers
• Working knowledge of DMX and IP‑based lighting networks (e.g., Art‑Net, SACN) — required

Why ETC

ETC’s Hog Family powers some of the world's most demanding shows. As part of our team, you’ll have a direct hand in where the platform goes next — and you’ll see your work in action everywhere from arena tours to broadcast studios. We offer competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and a team culture that’s collaborative and passionate.

Explore more at our website and YouTube channel, and check out current Hog software and product resources from ETC.

Representative Responsibilities:

• Participate in product requirements and design definition, contribute product assurance requirements to project plans and product designs.
• Interacts with engineering team to define, document, analyze, and perform tests for products and system integration.
• Have an in‑depth knowledge of a Product line within a product family.
• Develop and execute Product Assurance program for new products and modifications to existing products.
• Execute system integration test plans involving products interacting on a Network.
• Review product requirements for testability, ambiguity, and consistency.
• Investigate defect root causes and report findings back to appropriate project team members.
• Provide technical support to internal and external customers.
• Participate in ISO on the job training.
• With some assistance, produces Product Assurance program schedules and time estimates.
• Acquire and maintain test equipment.
• Has a working knowledge of commonly used tools and applications in R&D.
• Has a working knowledge of a Specific Product family in R&D.
• Learn department and corporate policies, procedures and plans.
• Schedule and attend identified training classes.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Completes special projects and assignments in a positive and timely manner
• Demonstrates basic written/verbal skills.
• Listens/gives constructive feedback.
• Participates as a team member, works effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to follow directions and project plans.
• Grasps technical concepts and asks for clarification and direction when needed.
• Demonstrates the ability to make independent decisions.
• Demonstrates the ability to systematically solve problems of moderate scope and perform root cause analysis.
• Ability to create a Product Assurance Program for a Specific product.
• Understands and applies best practices for Product Assurance.
• Has a working knowledge of a Specific Product family.
• Assists with design or modification of a product, service, or process.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Technical associate’s degree or 4 - 6 years of job‑related experience
• 3 – 5 years of Technical Theater or industry experience.
• Experience in a team environment
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and perform multiple tasks without general supervision.