Creative Technologist
Midnight Mansion’s mission is to bring more delight into the world. We design, engineer, fabricate, and install immersive, in-person experiences - building anything from special exhibits to interactive pieces that blend creative technology, mechanical systems, lighting and sound, and special effects. From early prototypes to final install, we manage the full build and bring ambitious ideas into the real world.
The Role
This is a full-time, in-person role. You’ll set up and manage the technical backbone of our experiences and write software that ties together hardware, media, and game play. This includes configuring show computers and controllers, integrating sensors, lighting, and audio, and making sure systems behave predictably under real-world show conditions.
Responsibilities will include:
- Writing software that interacts with real hardware and live experiences
- Managing networking and systems that connect devices, controllers, sensors, and show computers, and keeping them reliable under real-world conditions
- Debugging real-life problems that show up during installs, testing, and live operation, often with incomplete information and physical constraints
- Understanding sound systems well enough to integrate and troubleshoot them (playback, routing, levels, control interfaces, and show cues)
- Understanding lighting systems well enough to integrate and troubleshoot them, including basic control protocols like DMX, Art-Net, and sACN
- Working with microcontrollers/SBCs (Arduino, Odroid) to drive sensors, lights, audio, and effects
- Prototyping and testing puzzles, props, and interactions (including with members of the public)
Who We’re Looking For
- You have experience writing software that integrates with physical elements
- You have basic EE 101 experience: understand voltage/power requirements, can read simple schematics, use a multimeter, and know how to avoid letting the magic smoke out
- You take ownership of tasks, working holistically and proactively to see them through
- You make decisions quickly and problem-solve when a choice isn't working
- You notice what needs doing and take the initiative to figure out a solution
- You don't let questions linger and seek answers from multiple sources
Qualifications - Must Haves
- 3+ years of experience in themed/location-based entertainment in a technology-focused role
- Practical expertise with live entertainment networking systems and/or audio/visual equipment
- Ability to commute to our studio in Needham, MA and occasionally Somerville, MA
- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; we are unable to sponsor applicants for work visas at this time
- Enthusiasm for immersive experiences :)
Nice to Haves
- Familiarity with standard workshop tools (power drills, saws, hand tools, etc.)
- Experience with rapid prototyping, and working with materials such as foam, cardboard, etc., and tools such as hot glue guns, etc.
Compensation & Benefits
- $90,000 - $110,000 a year, commensurate with experience
- Paid Time Off (PTO) plus 12 recognized holidays
- Highly flexible work hours
- Medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Retirement Savings Plan with employer match
- And more!
To Apply
Send an email to careers@midnightmansion.com with the subject line Creative Technologist Application.
Please attach your résumé and share links to your portfolio, GitHub, or any other relevant work. Include a sentence or two about what you’re passionate about, along with any immersive experiences you’ve been to that you found especially exciting.