Exhibitions Creative Engineer (Project Based Role)

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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:

Project-Based Role: This is a project-based role with an anticipated duration of 2+ years

Location: On-site (Santa Fe, NM)

Compensation: This position has a base salary starting at $80,000. Compensation may vary based on location and experience.

Job Summary:

 Exhibitions Creative Engineers are members of the Creative Technology team and work closely with other teams within Meow Wolf INC in designing, developing and driving technical artwork and interactive artwork, programming objects and installations that seam together sensors, microcontrollers, computers, lights, sound, video, and electromechanical elements. Exhibitions Creative Engineers define interactive behaviors, element design, technical systems design, component selection, and programming of finished elements.
The CE team is responsible for designing electrical and electromechanical hardware. This includes selecting motors systems, which comprise motors, motor drivers and systems engineering. CEs are responsible for programming. CEs collaborate with tech fab to ensure the drive mechanism is functional and provide documentation for tech systems design.

As members of the Creative Technology team, Exhibitions Creative Engineers are embedded in various art projects and collaborate closely with Audio, Video and Lighting Designers, Experience Designers, Technologists, Tech Fabricators, CAD Designers, and Artists during the design and production of elements that may be interactive, contain mechanized moving parts, emit light, and sound. Exhibitions Creative Engineers will also ensure that each programmed element can be controlled by the exhibit’s show controller. This position requires above-average programming ability, design ability, high attention to detail, and the ability to efficiently collaborate with others. The successful candidate is a quick learner, self-motivated, and driven to try new technologies. Practical experience with general fabrication, tech component assembly, and the ability to read schematics and datasheets is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Creative Directors, Experience Designers, Audio, Video, and Lighting Designers, AD&P Artists, and Technical Direction at the onset of each project to design and refine interactive elements, determining the technical components and systems needed to support the creative vision of each element.

• Document interactive element design, including system architecture, system behaviors, sensor logic, and control flow, ensuring clarity for implementation

• Perform rigorous research and development testing to prove viability of technical designs

• Document all testing results in a technical system documentation packet and hone in on a finalized design for each element and system in partnership with the Technical System Designer.

• Design electronic and multimedia hardware and software systems needed for Meow Wolf exhibitions.

• Develop and deploy production software code for microcontrollers and interactive systems.

• Finalize the programming of each element and ensure compatibility with the overall show controller.

• Produce documentation for installation and maintenance of exhibition components.

• Furnish the final code to Operations Maintenance at the close of a project in case future changes need to be made onsite.

To be successful in this role…

• High school diploma/GED required, B.S. Degree or higher in Computer Sciences, Computer/Electrical Engineering, or related field preferred

• 3+ years experience designing and developing interactive environments, prototyping electronics and control systems, and developing custom electronics with microcontrollers for artistic and technical exhibits

• Proven proficiency in at least one high-level multimedia programming language such as TouchDesigner, Python, Processing and Max/MSP

• Experience in programming Arduino

• Knowledge of programming microcontrollers for interactive experiences

• Strong technical writing skills, and the ability to document program code

• Strong ability to develop dynamic interactive behaviors using custom electronics and microcontrollers

• Strong ability to self-manage and drive project deliverables forward

• Collaborative problem solving across artistic and technical disciplines

• Self-starter, able to identify and drive major technical needs for a project

It would be nice to have…

• 5+ years of experience designing and developing interactive environments with a focus on electronics and control systems for major guest-facing exhibitions

• Desired familiarity with Unity, Max/MSP, OpenGL, C, C++, C#, TouchDesigner, Javascript, Network Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science

• Experience programming animatronic functions

• Experience with the IoT 

Work Environment and Physical Demands…

• This job operates in a professional studio and office environment.

  • This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. 

  • This role also includes standard equipment use such as powered and non-powered tools and various art making materials. 

  • The employee will routinely use respirators in the presence of any dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gasses, smokes, sprays, or vapors.

• The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. 

• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 

• Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of medium work. 

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

• This is a full-time position averaging 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm MT or 10 am to 6 pm MST  – occasionally requiring flexibility to work during evenings or weekends based on business needs, as well as travel to off-site locations. 

• All employees 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.

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.