Museum Technology Specialist

Summary

At the California Science Center, we believe science is best understood through doing. Our exhibits are powered by physical mechanisms, sensory input, and cutting-edge digital layers. Visitors will tinker, push, play, code, observe, and question—through hands-on experiences rooted in curiosity and discovery. To bring this to life, we’re assembling a foundational Phase III Exhibit Support Team through a cluster hire. We’re seeking collaborative, technically skilled visionaries across key exhibit development scopes. This is your chance to join a historic institution with a contemporary vision.

Qualifications

• As a teaching institution, we believe in learning by doing. A good candidate will have a proven track record of success in one or more of the above scopes with a series of projects that showcase their contributions.
• A great candidate will have experience in the museum, theme park, or experience design sector and may have an advanced degree in their specific subject matter.
• Cultural fit is important to us; we are a diverse institution, and we encourage all qualified applicants that are inspired by our vision and contributing to the cultural fabric of Los Angeles to apply.
• These positions will require weekends, and occasional evening, or holiday work

Target Skillsets

Exhibit Engineering Fabrication - You’ll bring our exhibits to life through mechanical systems and digital fabrication. You’ll review and produce shop drawings, build prototypes, and execute in-house designs. You’ll manage and maintain the fabrication shop and expand our in-house capacity for fabrication and repairs. From prototypes to full-scale installations, you’ll ensure every exhibit is functional, engaging, and durable.

• Strengths: Mechanical systems, prototyping, fabrication management, material knowledge
• Tools: SolidWorks/Fusion, Vectorworks, CNC, woodworking, 3Dprint, welding, finishing, machining
• Background: Interactive exhibits, engineering, mechatronics, industrial design, maker culture

Digital Interactives Media - You’ll maintain and develop the digital layer that makes our exhibits come alive. From touchscreens to real-time simulations, you’ll design, deploy, and manage interactive content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning.

• Strengths: Creative coding, UX/UI, sensor-based interactions
• Tools: Unity, TouchDesigner, Unreal, Arduino, Brightsign, Raspberry Pi, Python
• Background: Interactive media, creative tech, immersive experiences

AV Systems - From multichannel sound systems to synchronized video projections, you’ll design, deploy, and manage AV systems that bring each exhibit to life. Behind the scenes, you’ll collaborate with Exhibition Development to edit videos for content updates. You’ll also collaborate with our Exhibit Designer and Curatorial team, developing projection studies and advising on the limitations and possibilities of new technologies.

• Strengths: AV system design, signal flow, playback control, video editing, projection mapping, LED wall programing
• Tools: QLab, Dante, NDI, Q-SYS, OBS, Blackmagic, Adobe Premier, Mad Mapper, Vectorworks, 22 Miles
• Background: AV integration, live event tech, immersive environments

Museum Lighting - You create the atmosphere for our exhibits, shaping how visitors experience the space. You will design lighting plans, advise on, develop, and maintain our fixture inventory and control systems, and lead lighting installations. Your creative vision will enhance every exhibit, guide the visitor’s journey, and emphasize key interactive elements.

• Strengths: Theatrical lighting, lighting design, control systems, fixture specs, color theory
• Tools: ETC EOS, DMX, DALI, Vectorworks
• Background: Themed entertainment, performance lighting, interactive exhibits
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Graphics Production - You manage the production and installation of all graphic elements in the museum—from interpretive graphics and signage to large-format prints and digital overlays. You’ll prepare files for print, oversee quality control, manage production timelines, coordinate with external vendors, and oversee and lead installation teams.

•  Strengths: Project management, production scheduling, quality control, vendor management
• Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, print production, file preparation, materials knowledge
• Background: Graphic design production, exhibition graphics, project management
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Installation and Maintenance -You’re the project leader who makes sure every exhibit is installed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. From managing the logistics and leading on-the floor installation teams to reporting progress and troubleshooting, you’ll be the key to ensuring every exhibit is ready to engage visitors.

• Strengths: Project management, installation coordination, logistics, timeline management
• Tools: Project management software (Asana, Monday, Microsoft Planner etc.), budgeting tools, logistics coordination
• Background: Exhibit installation, project management, museum operations, production

Conservation – You’ll be the guardian of our collection's physical integrity, preserving scientific artifacts and models for future generations. Whether it’s cleaning and restoring historic spacecrafts, stabilizing preserved specimens, or producing condition reports and enforcing care requirements, you’ll collaborate with Exhibit and Curatorial teams to ensure objects are both preserved and accessible, balancing interaction with longevity.

• Strengths: Preventive conservation, materials analysis, documentation, stabilization, risk assessment
• Tools: ODDY testing, environmental monitoring equipment (RH/temp/light), conservation databases, XRF/FTIR, condition reporting tools
• Background: Conservation science, museum studies, materials science, heritage preservation, conservation of modern materials

Apply Individually or As a Team

We welcome individual applicants, as well as teams who have worked together in the past. If you and a colleague have complementary skill sets, we’re excited to consider you both as a team. Collaboration and creativity are at the heart of our vision.

Compensation

$27.34 - $29.13 / Hour