Senior Audio/Video Systems Technician

American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company is a leading provider of annuity solutions designed to help clients protect and grow retirement income. Part of Brookfield Wealth Solutions, we partner with more than 40,000 financial professionals and help fund over half a million retirements nationwide. Recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies and named a Top Workplace in Iowa, American Equity fosters a collaborative and purpose-driven culture where employees are empowered to ignite their passion and help shape the future of financial services.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with satellite offices in New York, NY, American Equity provides opportunities for employees to support work across the enterprise, including our sister company, American National, headquartered in Houston, Texas.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE JOB:

The Senior AV Systems Technician is an advanced technical position and the highest-level hands-on implementation role within the AV team. This position serves as the technical lead for complex AV system installations and is responsible for advanced programming, system integration, commissioning, and Tier 3 troubleshooting across all enterprise AV, conferencing, digital signage, and sound masking platforms. The Senior AV Systems Technician translates the Senior AV Systems Architect's designs into fully operational systems, leads installation projects in the field, and serves as the day-to-day technical supervisor for AV Technician 1 and 2 staff. This role bridges the gap between architecture/design and hands-on execution.

**Position sits in Des Moines and will work an onsite schedule**

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advanced Programming & System Integration

• Develops and maintains AV control system programs (Crestron SIMPL/SIMPL+/C#, Extron GCP/GC3) for all room types and tiers per architectural standards.
• Programs and optimizes DSP systems (BIAMP Tesira, Shure IntelliMix/MXA, QSC Q-SYS) including complex audio routing, AEC tuning, multi-zone configurations, and networked audio integration.
• Configures and integrates Dante networked audio systems including device routing, clock management, redundancy, and multicast optimization.
• Integrates AV control systems with enterprise platforms including room scheduling, occupancy sensors, lighting controls, and building management systems.
• Develops and maintains standardized AV system templates and programming modules for consistent deployment across room types.
• Performs UC platform integration and certification testing for Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, and Cisco room systems.
• Configures and optimizes video processing, switching, and distribution systems including matrix routing, windowing, and streaming encoders/decoders.

Complex Installation & Commissioning

• Serves as technical lead on complex AV installation projects, directing Technician 1 and 2 staff and coordinating with contractors.
• Performs final system commissioning including comprehensive testing, audio calibration, video alignment, control system verification, and user acceptance sign-off.
• Executes complex installations that require advanced integration skills (networked AV, multi-room systems, large venue/event spaces, executive boardrooms).
• Conducts system tuning and optimization post-installation including DSP adjustments, camera presets, display calibration, and control logic refinements.
• Performs quality assurance inspections on installations completed by Technician 1 and 2 staff and contractors.
• Leads punch list resolution and ensures all installations meet organizational quality standards before handoff to operations.

Tier 3 Troubleshooting & Escalation

• Serves as the highest-level technical escalation point for AV issues that cannot be resolved by Technician 1 or 2 staff.
• Diagnoses and resolves complex, multi-system issues involving control programming, DSP logic, network transport, and platform interoperability.
• Performs root cause analysis on recurring system failures and implements permanent corrective actions.
• Coordinates with vendor technical support and engineering teams on product defects, firmware issues, and interoperability problems.
• Develops and implements monitoring solutions to proactively identify system degradation before user impact.
• Collaborates with Network Engineering on advanced AV network issues including multicast, QoS policy, IGMP, and Dante/AES67 transport.

Digital Signage & Sound Masking

• Administers and maintains the enterprise digital signage content management system (CMS) including server infrastructure, player management, and content scheduling workflows.
• Performs advanced signage system troubleshooting including network delivery issues, codec/format problems, and CMS integration failures.
• Configures, tunes, and maintains enterprise sound masking systems including zone programming, frequency adjustments, and coverage verification.
• Performs periodic sound masking system audits and adjustments to ensure consistent speech privacy performance as spaces change.
• Implements signage and sound masking system monitoring and alerting.

Technical Leadership & Team Development

• Provides daily technical direction, task assignment, and work prioritization for AV Technician 1 and 2 staff.
• Conducts technical training for AV team members on new equipment, procedures, and programming techniques.
• Performs technical reviews and quality checks on work completed by junior technicians.
• Develops and maintains technical documentation including programming standards, installation procedures, and commissioning checklists.
• Participates in interviews and technical assessments for AV team hiring decisions.
• Serves as acting technical lead when the AV Systems Architect is unavailable.

Project Execution & Coordination

• Leads field execution of AV projects per plans developed by the Senior AV Systems Architect.
• Manages day-to-day project logistics including material staging, contractor coordination, schedule adherence, and issue resolution.
• Conducts detailed site surveys and provides technical input to the Architect for system design decisions.
• Participates in project planning, estimating labor and material requirements for installations.
• Provides as-built documentation, test results, and commissioning reports upon project completion.
• Coordinates closely with the Architect on design refinements discovered during implementation.

Event & Executive Support

• Serves as primary technical resource for high-profile events, board meetings, and executive-level presentations.
• Designs and operates complex temporary AV systems for large events including multi-camera production, live streaming, and multi-room audio distribution.
• Provides white-glove concierge AV support for executive leadership team.
• Travels as needed to support AV at remote facilities, off-site events, and conferences.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Reports: 0

General Description of Indirect Reports (2 and 3-downs): 0

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Associate's degree or technical certification in Electronics, AV Technology, IT, or related field preferred; Or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) years of progressive experience in AV systems installation, programming, and support in enterprise or commercial environments.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced AV control system programming (Crestron SIMPL+/C# or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience with DSP system design and configuration (BIAMP, Shure, QSC).
• Experience leading AV installation teams and coordinating multi-trade projects.
• Experience with enterprise UC platform deployment (Microsoft Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, Cisco).
• Experience with Dante/AES67 networked audio in enterprise environments.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS:

Required:

• AVIXA CTS (Certified Technology Specialist)
• Crestron Certified Programmer or DMC-D (Digital Media Certified Designer)

Strongly Preferred:

• AVIXA CTS-I (Certified Technology Specialist - Installation)
• Dante Level 2 & 3
• BIAMP Tesira Certified
• Shure Associated Certified
• QSC Q-SYS Level 2
• Microsoft Teams Rooms certification
• Extron Control Professional
• BICSI Technician

Encouraged (career development toward Architect track):

• AVIXA CTS-D (Certified Technology Specialist - Design)
• NICET Audio Level 2+

Performance Measurements:

• System commissioning quality (first-time acceptance rate, punch list items)
• Tier 3 resolution time and root cause analysis completion
• Project execution (on-time delivery, labor efficiency, zero-rework rate)
• Programming quality (standardization adherence, bug-free deployments)
• AV system uptime for owned/maintained systems
• Team development (Technician 1 & 2 skill progression)
• Documentation completeness and accuracy
• Executive/stakeholder satisfaction scores
• Contractor quality oversight effectiveness

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Technical Skills:

• Advanced proficiency in AV control system programming (Crestron SIMPL/SIMPL+/C#, Extron GCP/GC3, or equivalent).
• Advanced proficiency in DSP configuration, audio system design, and tuning (BIAMP Tesira, Shure IntelliMix/MXA, QSC Q-SYS).
• Advanced knowledge of Dante/AES67 networked audio including routing, clocking, redundancy, and network design.
• Strong understanding of IP networking including VLANs, QoS, multicast, IGMP snooping, and network security as applied to AV systems.
• Expert-level troubleshooting across all AV disciplines (video, audio, control, networking, UC platforms).
• Proficiency with UC room system deployment, management, and troubleshooting (Teams Rooms, Zoom Rooms, Cisco).
• Experience with AV system monitoring tools and proactive management platforms.
• Knowledge of video processing and distribution (matrix switching, streaming, encoding/decoding, HDBaseT, SDVoE).
• Working knowledge of digital signage CMS administration and player management.
• Working knowledge of sound masking system configuration and tuning.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create AV system schematics, rack elevations, cable schedules, and signal flow diagrams.
• Scripting and automation skills (PowerShell, Python, or similar) for AV system management a plus.

Leadership & Professional Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and direct the work of others.
• Strong project coordination skills with ability to manage field logistics, schedules, and contractor oversight.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including technical documentation, training delivery, and stakeholder updates.
• Strong problem-solving skills with systematic approach to complex multi-system troubleshooting.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions independently while recognizing when architectural guidance is needed.
• Strong customer service orientation with ability to provide white-glove support to executive leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing requirements in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to quality and attention to detail in all installation and programming work.
• Willingness to mentor and develop junior team members.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs (displays, equipment, speakers, rack components).
• Ability to work on ladders, lifts, and scaffolding.
• Ability to work in ceiling spaces, under raised floors, and in equipment closets.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

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This description covers the major purpose and essential functions of the job. It is not intended to give all details or a step-by-step account of the way each task is to be performed. Employees may receive other job-related instructions and be required to perform other job-related work requested by their manager. All requirements are subject to possible modification to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

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