AV Engineer

Y Combinator is the leading startup accelerator for entrepreneurs. Since 2005, YC has invested in over 5,000 companies, including Airbnb, Coinbase, DoorDash, Dropbox, Instacart, Reddit, Stripe, and OpenAI. Today, YC has built the most powerful startup community in the world alongside the products and programs to support founders for the life of their company.

About the Role:

Y Combinator is introducing an AV Engineer position to support our Media and Events teams. This is a cross-functional role ideal for someone who is an expert AV technician with solid experience working on high-profile, complex events. You’ll contribute to the behind-the-scenes excellence that makes our events memorable, from setting up and operating AV equipment to transforming raw footage into polished, shareable content.

You’ll be a key operational partner working across multiple teams at YC, ensuring that both our creative output and event experiences are technically sound, visually engaging, and flawlessly delivered.

This is a full-time position. Candidates must live in the SF Bay Area and be available to work onsite at our offices located at Pier 70, San Francisco. Evening and weekend work is required.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with setup, testing, and operation of audio-visual equipment for live and virtual events (projectors, mics, mixers, cameras, etc.).
• Provide technical support during events, troubleshooting sound, lighting, and streaming issues in real time.
• Support event logistics, including venue setup, vendor coordination, and production crew assistance.
• Help prepare and maintain run-of-show documents and event toolkits.
• Work with contractors and third-party AV teams as needed.
• Edit and deliver post-event content such as highlight reels, interviews, and recap videos.
• Organize and manage footage, B-roll, and production assets.
• Apply basic post-production techniques (color correction, sound leveling, adding intros/outros).
• Support video exports and optimizations for various platforms (YouTube, internal channels, social).
• Maintain AV equipment inventory, perform gear check-ins/outs, and assist with tech upgrades.

Must-Haves:

• 4 years of experience in AV/technical operations, working on high-profile events.
• Hands-on experience with video editing and video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro).
• Comfort with event tech setups, including microphones, video switchers, lighting rigs, and streaming gear.
• Calm under pressure, with the ability to troubleshoot tech issues quickly and clearly.

Location: YC is headquartered in the SF Bay Area. Candidates must live in the SF Bay Area and be available to work onsite at our offices located at Pier 70, San Francisco. Evening and weekend work is required.

Compensation: $175,000 to $190,000 annual salary.

Benefits: Our full benefits package includes medical, vision, and dental plans, infertility benefit, STD/LTD, life insurance, commuter benefits, flexible spending account, health savings account, 401(k) 4% matching, generous parental leave, paid holidays, and flexible paid time off policy.

Work Authorization: This position does not support work authorization/visa sponsorship.

Y Combinator considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law, including San Francisco’s Fair Chance Ordinance. Y Combinator is committed to protecting the privacy of the personal information of job applicants and complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act. The privacy policy of Ashby, Inc., the hiring platform used by Y Combinator, governs the collection of such data and can be found here.