Fast Facts

The On-Call Exhibit Engineer position at the Exploratorium in San Francisco involves designing and producing interactive exhibits, focusing on functionality, safety, and innovation in engineering.

Responsibilities: Key responsibilities include creating exhibit designs, producing design documentation, supporting production management, and participating in installations and maintenance.

Skills: Required skills include basic shop knowledge, experience with Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD, effective communication, and ability to work collaboratively.

Qualifications: Preferred qualifications include a BA/BS degree in engineering or design, along with experience in exhibit fabrication and a keen interest in science and teaching.

Location: The job is located in San Francisco, California, with on-site work required a certain number of days per week.

Compensation: $41 - $43 / Hourly

SUMMARY

Exhibit Engineers are the primary staff responsible for exhibit design and production. Although exhibit designs will come from many sources and fabrication may be accomplished in coordination with other staff or entities, exhibit engineers ensure the functionality, reliability, safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of each exhibit. Exhibit engineering at the Exploratorium emphasizes the design and building of interactive exhibits with complex mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems within design, budget, and schedule to fulfill the needs of the project. Exhibit engineers are also expected to be knowledgeable of current technologies and professional standards and to have an active role in the maintenance and improvement of existing exhibits, design practices, and documentation standards. This position reports to the Engineers Group Manager. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Execution:
• Consistently deliver high-quality exhibit engineering across a number of projects under the direction of project leadership
• Create exhibit designs that fit into budget and schedule, meeting regular milestones
• Produce complete sets of design documentation including: part and assembly drawings, bills of materials, electronics and wiring schematics, maintenance manual pages and assembly instructions
• Provide support to Production Management and project teams as needed in regards to purchasing efforts, including occasional management of subcontractor and vendor relationships
• Design and fabricate basic tooling/fixtures for manufacturing
• Participate in off-site installations, maintenance trips, and de-installations
• Solutions/Idea Generation: Regularly implement a wide variety of practical and innovative engineering strategies. Work to find creative ways to bring new and appropriate technologies into our current system
• Facilities Work/Institutional Support:
• Contribute to general museum operations, including shop and/or lab maintenance, exhibit maintenance, material ordering and stocking, and equipment upkeep
• Share design and engineering techniques with other Exploratorium staff
• Provide technical advice to help production staff order and build exhibits; promote quality, efficiency, and decreasing costs
• Maintain current library of exhibit designs by managing design revisions, photographing design details, and organizing design information
• Collaborate with design, engineering, and production staff, to find efficient ways to create exhibits
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in engineering or design
• Basic shop knowledge: wood, metal, and plastic fabrication; prototyping and fabrication of exhibits using appropriate production methods; follow safety standards
• Basic experience with Autodesk Inventor essential plus working knowledge of AutoCAD, Wiki-based platforms, MS Word & Excel
• Ability to effectively communicate ideas and concepts through hand sketching, basic drawing skills preferred
• Comfortable taking direction and mentoring from senior shop staff, senior engineers, and project leadership
• Ability to adhere to budgets and timelines for individual exhibits and projects, and to proactively communicate expected variances
• Sense of value and efficiency as expressed in effectiveness of solutions, use of materials, and personal time management
• Interest in science and teaching a plus

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position is based in San Francisco, California with staff expected to work onsite a certain number of days per week based on department requirements
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds short distances. Able to move from place to place; bend, stretch, grasp, reach, kneel and twist

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position is open until filled

HOW TO APPLY

This is an on-call (variable hours per week), non-exempt, position that does not include benefits. The starting range for this role is $41.37 to $43.79. This range represents steps 1-3 on a 6 step union pay scale. Please, no phone calls in regards to this job. To apply, please visit the Exploratorium job page.

The Exploratorium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and values diversity, inclusion and respect. We welcome and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

Exploratorium

Piers 15/17, San Francisco, CA 94111

Website: https://www.exploratorium.edu/about/jobs. No phone calls, please

The Exploratorium is committed to an inclusive workforce.