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.

The Exhibit support team will:

• Oversee daily operation of exhibits, maintain calibrations, facilitate startup and shutdown, and manage and execute preventative maintenance and repairs.
• Track and monitor all exhibits and exhibit equipment and report on their status.
• Maintain a current inventory of all equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Maintain clear, organized, documentation including but not exclusive to: exhibit histories, maintenance manuals, digital records, final production files, and digital assets.
• Respond in real time and via ticket request to maintenance and repair calls.
• Collaborate with the Exhibit Development department to prototype: redesigns, augmentations, and new exhibits.
• Manage exhibit production to ensure adherence to budget, timeline, and quality and design standards.
• Lead and/or oversee installations of exhibits and exhibit equipment by both internal and external teams.
• Review drawings and design proposals from both external vendors and internal design team, and provide feedback on projected feasibility, maintenance requirements, and budget impact.
• Provide regular resource projections for day-to-day operations, as well as special projects.
• Collaborate on the production of installation plans and documentation, including but not exclusive to advising on budget, schedule, and personnel requirements.
• Provide additional support as needed.

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

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

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

• 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 managemen