Do you have the technical depth to design and commission complex AV and digital systems - and the people skills to bring contractors, creatives and stakeholders along with you? Are you someone who takes as much pride in the documentation and handover as the build itself?
About us
The Science Museum Group is here to Inspire Futures by connecting people with the impact of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) on our lives today and in the future.
The Science and Industry Museum sits at the heart of Manchester - on the site of the world's first inter-urban passenger railway station - and tells the story of ideas that have changed the world, from the Industrial Revolution to today and beyond. We care for a globally significant heritage site of five listed buildings, combining the distinctive appeal of our historic setting with a vibrant contemporary science programme that makes connections between past and present, and between scientific theory and real-world application. The Technical Services team sits at the core of how that programme comes to life - designing, delivering and maintaining the digital, AV and interactive systems that power our galleries and shape every visitor's experience.
About the role
This role supports the Science Museum Group’s delivery of in-gallery digital experiences, with a particular focus on the integration of software, AV, display and control systems in public-facing environments.
As Systems Engineer, you will work as part of the Systems Engineering team within Technical Services, supporting the specification, procurement, integration, commissioning and long-term maintainability of interactive, display and control technologies. You will work closely with Technical Services colleagues, Digital Experiences, project teams and external contractors to translate agreed creative and interpretive requirements into robust, supportable technical systems.
The role does not lead the creative development, content strategy or visitor experience design for digital experiences. These responsibilities sit with Digital Experiences and relevant project stakeholders. The Systems Engineer ensures that agreed concepts are technically achievable, well-integrated, properly documented and maintainable throughout their operational life.
This role is a fixed term contract until August 2028, advertised for 35 hours per week working Monday to Friday and being based at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.
Please note: this role is advertised as AV & Systems Engineer to help the right candidates find us, but the official job title on appointment will be Systems Engineer.
About you
We're keen to hear from people with hands-on experience delivering technical systems in complex, public-facing environments - whether that's museums, theatres, live events, visitor attractions or similar settings. You'll have a solid grounding in AV and digital systems, particularly around control systems, integration and commissioning, with practical experience in platforms such as Q-SYS, AVoIP protocols like Dante or NDI, and scripting languages such as Python, Lua or JavaScript.
You'll know how to take a creative brief and engineer a solution that's robust, well-documented and built to last in a high-footfall environment - not just functional at handover, but maintainable for years beyond it. Alongside the technical depth, we're looking for someone with real experience managing external contractors and suppliers: coordinating delivery, reviewing technical proposals, holding people to account against time and budget, and resolving issues when they arise. Project management capability matters here too - this role sits across multiple concurrent projects and requires someone who can manage stakeholders, prioritise competing demands and keep delivery on track without losing sight of quality.
Equally important is how you communicate: we want someone who can move fluently between technical conversations with contractors and systems architects, and plain-language discussions with creative, interpretation and visitor experience colleagues who need to understand implications without the jargon. If you're methodical, collaborative and take pride in systems that work reliably long after opening day, we'd love to hear from you.
Don’t feel you meet all the criteria? We welcome you to apply even if your experience doesn’t match directly. With your transferable skills, you could be the right candidate for this, or other opportunities that we have.
Applying
View the Vacancy Information Pack listed under ‘Attachments’ on the vacancy listing on our website for more details about the role and the application process or click ‘Apply Online’ to submit an application.
What we offer
Working with a world-leading museum group that offers access to truly unique environments and collections, you’ll benefit from the perks listed below, as well as full support for life events such as parental and adoption leave, sickness, and career breaks.
Meaningful work. We’re a mission-led organisation where the work you do supports us in Inspiring Futures.- Career growth. We offer enhanced support with personal and professional development.
- Work/life balance. We offer 27 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, along with flexible policies which support you and your home life.
- All our colleagues can access an employee assistance programme, access to the Unmind app, and other wellbeing support.
- Colleague networks. Our colleague-led networks are an informal forum for colleagues to come together to discuss topics of shared interest and lived experience. They create a space for people to exchange ideas, discuss best practice, socialise and build a sense of community.
- Enhanced contributory pension. To support you in saving for the future.
- Interest-free loans. When you need a little extra cash for life events or home improvements.
- Great discounts. Free entry to exhibitions, discounts in our shops, cafes, and access to other museums in the NMDC network.
Open for All is one of the Science Museum Group’s five core values and sets out our important aspiration to be a place for everyone. We are working hard to understand our organisation better and to develop a culture that recognises and values different backgrounds, mindsets, skills, experience, knowledge, and expertise. By having greater diversity, we believe that we will be a stronger and better organisation, capable to continue to Inspire Futures.
