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Assistant Technical Director information

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$19K

$44.3K

$76.5K

How much do assistant technical director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant technical director in the United States is $44,267.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $44,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Assistant Technical Director do?

An Assistant Technical Director supports the Technical Director in overseeing the technical aspects of productions, such as theater, film, or live events. Their responsibilities often include assisting with set construction, managing technical crews, coordinating schedules, and ensuring that design plans are accurately executed. They serve as a liaison between designers, directors, and technical staff, helping to troubleshoot problems and keep projects on track. The role requires strong organizational and communication skills, as well as a solid understanding of technical theater or production operations.

What is the difference between Assistant Technical Director vs Technical Director?

AspectAssistant Technical DirectorTechnical Director
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in theater, film, or related field; experience in technical rolesRequires extensive experience in technical production, often with advanced certifications or degrees
Work EnvironmentSupports technical operations, assists in planning and coordinationOversees entire technical department, makes high-level decisions
Employer & IndustryTheater companies, film productions, live eventsTheater companies, film studios, large-scale productions

The Assistant Technical Director supports the Technical Director by handling technical tasks and coordination, while the Technical Director manages overall technical operations and decision-making. The roles differ mainly in responsibility level and scope, with the Assistant Technical Director serving as a key support role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Technical Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Technical Director, a strong understanding of technical production, stagecraft, and project management, often backed by a degree in technical theater or a related field, is essential. Familiarity with CAD software, lighting and audio systems, and rigging equipment is typically required, along with certifications such as ETCP or OSHA safety training. Excellent problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help manage crews and coordinate complex productions effectively. These skills ensure smooth technical operations, safety, and the successful realization of artistic visions in live or broadcast environments.

What are some common challenges faced by an Assistant Technical Director when managing live productions?

Assistant Technical Directors often encounter challenges such as coordinating between different technical departments, troubleshooting unexpected technical issues during rehearsals or live performances, and ensuring that all equipment is set up and functioning correctly. Balancing tight schedules and last-minute changes requires strong organizational and communication skills. Collaborating closely with the Technical Director, stage management, and design teams is essential to deliver seamless productions while maintaining safety and efficiency.
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Assistant Technical Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Technical Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,267 per year, or $21.3 per hour.

Assistant Technical Director

The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater

Pleasant Grove, UT • On-site

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

The Ruth is a nonprofit performing arts organization in Pleasant Grove, Utah, dedicated to producing high-quality theater and immersive experiences for Utah Valley. We are a growing institution with ambitious production goals and a culture built around craft, excellence, collaboration, hospitality, and community.
Position Summary
The Assistant Technical Director supports the Technical Director in the planning, drafting, coordination, construction, installation, automation integration, rigging coordination, and safe execution of The Ruth's scenic and technical production elements.
A major focus of this role is drafting and shop drawing support. The Assistant Technical Director helps translate scenic designs into clear construction drawings, installation plans, assembly details, and technical documentation for the scenic shop and automation teams.
This position works closely with the scenic shop, automation team, and production departments to support builds, load-ins, strikes, technical rehearsals, show maintenance, and production safety. With the Technical Director leading the scenic shop and automation/rigging teams, the Assistant Technical Director serves as a key support leader who helps keep technical work organized, documented, communicated, and safely executed.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Planning, Drafting & Shop Drawings
Support the Technical Director in technical planning, drafting, and the creation of shop drawings for scenic, automation, rigging, and moving scenic elements.
  • Create and assist with shop drawings, construction drawings, installation drawings, assembly details, rigging notes, automation integration points, and related technical documentation.
  • Translate scenic designs, models, and design packages into clear technical drawings and build information for the shop.
  • Review scenic designs and drawings for feasibility, build strategy, safety, schedule, budget impact, and integration needs.
  • Assist with technical planning for scenic builds, automation elements, rigging needs, scenic movement, load-ins, strikes, and changeovers.
  • Help develop build plans, labor estimates, material needs, installation plans, and technical timelines.
  • Identify technical challenges early and communicate them to the Technical Director.
  • Maintain accurate records of scenic plans, build notes, revisions, technical decisions, and handoff information.

Scenic Shop & Build Coordination
Support the Technical Director in keeping scenic construction organized, efficient, and aligned with production needs.
  • Assist with scenic construction planning, fabrication, assembly, installation, strike, and show maintenance.
  • Work with the Master Carpenter / Shop Foreman on daily shop priorities, crew assignments, build progress, and workflow.
  • Help ensure scenic elements are built according to approved drawings, design intent, safety standards, and production timelines.
  • Track build progress and communicate schedule concerns, material needs, or technical issues to the Technical Director.
  • Support coordination between drafting, purchasing, scenic charge, carpentry, metal fabrication, automation, and installation teams.
  • Help maintain standards for shop organization, tool use, materials, scenic stock, and production-specific scenic elements.

Automation, Rigging & Scenic Movement Support.
Assist the Technical Director with automation, rigging, and moving scenic elements.
  • Support planning, installation, testing, documentation, and maintenance of automation and rigging-related production elements.
  • Work with automation programmers/operators and scenic teams to help ensure moving scenic elements are safely integrated with scenery, staging, lighting, audio, props, and backstage traffic.
  • Help coordinate rehearsals and technical processes involving automation, scenic movement, or rigged elements.
  • Support troubleshooting during load-in, technical rehearsals, previews, performances, and show maintenance.
  • Assist with documentation and communication for the safe operation of automation, rigging, and moving scenic elements.

Safety, Training & Technical Rehearsal Support
Support safe working practices across scenic, automation, rigging, and technical production work.
  • Assist the Technical Director in implementing technical safety practices for scenery, automation, rigging, tools, equipment, load-ins, strikes, backstage movement, and moving scenic elements.
  • Help train and instruct crew, operators, technicians, actors, and production staff on production-specific technical safety needs.
  • Support safety checks before scenic, automation, or rigging elements are turned over to Stage Management, run crews, operators, or performers.
  • Attend technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, previews, and other key rehearsals as needed.
  • Track technical notes, repairs, safety concerns, and unresolved technical issues.
  • Coordinate with Stage Management and the Director of Production on rehearsal reports, backstage needs, and technical changes.

Cross-Department Coordination & Production Tracking
Support clear communication between the technical department and the larger production team.
  • Coordinate scenic and technical needs with lighting, audio, props, stage management, facilities, costumes, and other departments as needed.
  • Provide updates to the Production Manager & Scenic Design Manager on technical progress, risks, schedule needs, and department handoffs.
  • Maintain production tracking and documentation in ClickUp or other designated systems.
  • Communicate technical changes, build updates, and installation plans to affected departments.
  • Help ensure technical information is clear, current, and accessible to the appropriate teams.

Budget, Resources & Team Support
Assist with responsible use of technical production resources and support the daily needs of the technical team.
  • Support the Technical Director with material estimates, purchasing needs, rentals, fabrication costs, and labor planning.
  • Help track production-related expenses for scenic, automation, rigging, and assigned technical needs.
  • Identify cost, schedule, or resource concerns early.
  • Support reuse of stock, materials, hardware, tools, and existing production assets when appropriate.
  • Provide day-to-day support, direction, and follow-through for assigned scenic, automation, rigging, and overhire staff.
  • Help mentor crew members and support clear expectations for safety, quality, communication, and professionalism.
  • Step in for the Technical Director as assigned when technical supervision, meetings, rehearsals, load-ins, strikes, or show needs require coverage.

Role Boundaries
The Assistant Technical Director supports the Technical Director in the execution of scenery, automation, rigging, and moving scenic elements. The Technical Director retains overall leadership of the department and final technical decision-making.
This role works closely with the Production Manager & Scenic Design Manager, who owns broader production coordination, schedules, ClickUp workflow, scenic design management, and opening readiness.
This role may also support the Director of Engineering & Facilities on specialty engineering, infrastructure, facilities, and long-term technical improvements, while remaining focused on production execution.
Skills & Qualifications
  • Experience in technical theater, assistant technical direction, scenic construction, automation, rigging, drafting, production coordination, or a related field.
  • Strong understanding of scenic construction, theatrical materials, fabrication methods, installation, and strike.
  • Working knowledge of automation, rigging, moving scenery, and technical safety practices.
  • Ability to create scenic drawings, ground plans, elevations, construction drawings, shop drawings, installation plans, and technical documentation.
  • Experience supporting production schedules, build timelines, labor planning, purchasing, and technical rehearsals.
  • Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to coordinate with designers, technicians, department heads, stage managers, and leadership.
  • Comfort using project management systems such as ClickUp.
  • Ability to lead crews, support department priorities, and maintain calm communication under pressure.
  • Commitment to safe, inclusive, and professional working practices.
  • Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during production periods.
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 preferred, or willingness to complete within a defined period.

What We're Looking For
The right person for this role is practical, organized, collaborative, and technically confident. They understand how to help a design become a finished, working production element and know how to support teams through the details of drafting, build, installation, rehearsal, and performance.
This person should be comfortable working in the shop, in the theater, in production meetings, and in technical rehearsals. They should be able to track details, communicate clearly, support crew members, and help solve problems before they become emergencies.
The goal of this role is to strengthen the Technical Director's department by adding a reliable support leader who can help keep scenic, automation, rigging, and technical production work moving safely and effectively.

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