Assistant Technical Director

Southern Methodist University Inc, Dallas, TX - Full Time

Description
Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

About SMU
SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high‑achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries, taking advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study, and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree‑granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology, and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data‑driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem—paired with entrepreneurial drive—creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for its support of students, faculty, and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas—the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest‑growing regions—offers unique learning, research, social, and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department
The Meadows School of the Arts educates visionary artists, scholars, and arts and communications professionals to create sustainable and transformative impact on both local and global society. It has become prominent as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States, offering training in an unusual mix of the arts—visual (art and art history), performing (dance, music, theatre), and communications (advertising, film and media arts, corporate communication and public affairs, journalism)—and a preeminent program in arts management and arts entrepreneurship.

About the Position
This role is an on‑campus, in‑person position.

The Assistant Technical Director provides scenic, drafting, and construction support for productions produced by the Theatre, Dance, and Opera programs within the Meadows School of the Arts, as well as special projects delegated by the Technical Director (TD).

The position works under the supervision of the TD to support artistic staff and production personnel, ensuring safe and professional scene shop operations while providing technical leadership and mentorship.

Essential Functions

Provides construction support and builds scenery for productions and special projects delegated by the TD, ensuring alignment with the overall plan.

Supervises all students in the scene shop, including practicum and work‑study students, trains run crew, and supervises technical rehearsals as delegated by the TD.

Reinforces the Graduate Design Curriculum by imparting industry‑standard practices students are expected to follow professionally.

Drafts construction drawings and provides technical documentation for ongoing projects, making material recommendations.

Maintains shop equipment, keeps tools and supplies organized, and maintains a clean, safe working environment in all shop and performance spaces.

Purchases materials and supplies needed for productions and maintains shop inventories; acts as a liaison when the TD is unavailable, attending meetings and communicating relevant information.

Assists lighting, sound, and properties personnel to support production deadlines and promotes collaboration and unity among production staff; assists operations and events personnel with setting and removal of special event set‑ups in Owen Arts and Garson public spaces.

Requires a valid driver’s license, as local travel for supply runs may be necessary.

Requires regular evening or weekend work for tech rehearsals.

Qualifications
Education and Experience
A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred. A degree in theatre with specialization in technical direction is preferred. A minimum of three (3) years of work experience in scenic engineering, construction, computer‑aided drafting, and rigging is required. Experience with pneumatics, motorized scenery, CNC operation, and advanced rigging is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, the ability to communicate across the University, and develop and maintain effective relationships with diverse constituencies. They must also possess strong written communication skills and a strong customer‑service orientation.

Candidate must possess strong problem‑solving skills, the ability to identify and analyze problems, and devise solutions; strong organizational, planning, and time‑management skills are essential. Strong project management skills and attention to detail are also essential.

Candidate must be a self‑starter with a commitment to creating a safe, positive, and productive work atmosphere. They must analyze theatrical drafting, understand theatrical engineering, and operate and teach students to operate standard shop equipment such as table saws, band saws, grinders, pneumatic tools, etc.

Candidate must have a beginning/intermediate knowledge of proper rigging procedures. The ability to weld and use a CNC router is preferred.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of Vectorworks and/or AutoCAD is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands

Sit for long periods of time

Bend, crawl, squat, climb, stand, kneel, push/pull

Reach above shoulders

Handle objects (dexterity)

Carry/lift over 50 lbs.

Deadline to Apply
The position is open until filled. Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by July 24, 2026.

EEO Statement
SMU is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers wellness programs. SMU also provides a range of retirement programs that benefit employees throughout their working years and, if eligible, during retirement. Employees have access to professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits. Location/Region: Dallas, Texas.

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