Conservation Technician - Arcade and Pinball

From the dawn of Pong to today’s hot gamer trends, every generation can play its way through the history of video games at The Strong. The conservation technician is responsible for the preventative care and treatment of internal components, mechanisms, and computers of pinball and arcade games, and related electronic materials.

This is a technically skilled position requiring some knowledge in low voltage, mechanical, computer, and audio/visual components. Qualifications include experience troubleshooting and repairing arcade games, a wide skillset related to diagnostics and tinkering, and a desire to work with various hardware and software systems. 

This is a regular full-time position (37.5 hours per week) that requires availability to work every weekend.

Essential Duties:

• Under the guidance of the conservator and associate conservator, treat and maintain internal components/mechanics of arcade and pinball games and any related electronic materials.
• Assess and problem-solve the functionality of arcade games and pinball machines and/or related electronic materials. 
• Install, deinstall, and arrange arcade and pinball games on display, ensuring the artifacts’ safety with the use of appropriate moving equipment, such as refrigerator dolly, pallet jack, J-bar, etc.
• Collect data and report on token counts and the revenue generation of game systems.
• Follow museum-issued storage and conservation policies and procedures. Perform work in accordance with best practices and standards, particularly the American Institute for Conservation’s Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice and American Alliance of Museum’s Code of Ethics for Museums.
• Maintain thorough and accurate records of conservation examinations, treatments, photo documentation, loans, etc., including using the museum’s collections management system.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and professional workspace and contribute to general studio/lab maintenance.
• Confer with the associate conservator to source and order missing or broken game parts.
• Assist with maintaining offsite exhibit installations, as requested. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, computer programming, fine art, furniture design, information technology, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Arcade and pinball game, electro-mechanical, or solid state repair experience preferable.
• Manual dexterity/hand skills with attention to detail.
• Working knowledge of and experience with the use of hand tools, power tools, soldering etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work within established priorities and timelines to complete deadline-driven work.
• Capable of quickly learning and adapting to new work processes and tasks.
• Ability to use ladders and elevated platforms to perform work tasks.
• Ability to undertake moderate to heavy lifting of large artifacts.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Interest or experience in tinkering, fabrication, retrofitting, and restoration of old technology or mechanics preferable.
• Interest or experience with cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays, integrated circuit boards (ICB), 3D printing and scanning preferable.
• Final candidate must consent to and successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen and background check as conditions of employment.

Please include the following in one Word or PDF document with your application:

• Resume/CV
• A letter of interest outlining your experience 
• Three (3) examples of an object you have fabricated or treated (may include tinkering, 3D printing, furniture making, engineering, etc.).  Please include photos and a brief description of each work.        
• Contact information for three (3) professional references