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 position: This is a project-based role with an anticipated duration of 2+ years.

Location: On-site or Remote, providing the candidate resides in one of the following markets: Santa Fe, NM; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; New York, NY; or Los Angeles, CA

Compensation: The base salary for this position is $80,000

Deadline: The deadline for submitting applications for this position is July 3, 2025. Meow Wolf reserves the right to extend this deadline if needed.

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.

Required Qualifications

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

• 3+ 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 

• 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

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.  

Work Environment: 

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and scanners. This position also works in an indoor setting with exposure to noisy environments, dim lighting, strong visual effects including strobing lights, special effects, fog machines and small and/ or enclosed spaces. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Physical ability to walk, stand, take stairs/slides/elevators, and navigate the elements during the day and night. Employee may be required to remain in a sitting or standing position for prolonged periods, and repeat motions that may  include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.   Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.

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, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 5 p.m. or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

This position does not require supervisory responsibility.

Travel 

This position will require moderate travel (25%-30%)

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.