Arena Lighting & Sound Engineer
Department: AV Broadcast Production & Arena Operations
Reports To: Vice President, AV & Broadcast Production
Location: Golden 1 Center – Sacramento, CA
Position Summary
Are you passionate about live event production and the power of light and sound to transform a space? The Arena Lighting & Sound Engineer plays a vital role in delivering world-class experiences at Golden 1 Center—from Sacramento Kings home games to concerts and civic events. This position is responsible for the planning, execution, and maintenance of all lighting and audio systems within the arena.
The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with leadership, clear communication, and a calm, solutions-oriented mindset. This is a hands-on role requiring both precision and creativity to ensure every show runs flawlessly and leaves a lasting impact.
About Golden 1 Center
Located in downtown Sacramento, Golden 1 Center is one of the most technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable sports and entertainment venues in the world. Home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, the arena features:
A state-of-the-art JBL audio system with immersive sound design
A dynamic LED sports lighting system with full DMX integration
One of the world’s largest 4K video boards
LEED Platinum certification – the first indoor arena in the world to earn the designation
Over 200 ticketed events annually including NBA games, concerts, family shows, and civic gatherings
Key Responsibilities
Game & Event Execution
Lead the execution of all lighting and sound cues for Sacramento Kings home games, concerts, and special events
Collaborate with Game Presentation, Broadcast, and Touring teams to create seamless, impactful in-venue experiences
Serve as the primary point of contact for touring crews, ensuring efficient and professional integration with house systems
Technical Operations & System Management
Manage and maintain all arena audio and lighting infrastructure, including consoles, microphones, intercoms, DMX, and playback systems
Program and operate lighting consoles (e.g., MA Lighting, ETC) and audio mixers (e.g., Yamaha, DiGiCo, Avid)
Proactively troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, ensuring minimal disruption to live events
Leadership & Collaboration
Provide guidance to part-time and freelance A/V staff during events, load-ins, rehearsals, and show calls
Communicate effectively across departments, aligning technical execution with creative objectives
Foster a culture of professionalism, calm under pressure, and continuous improvement
Creative Support & Innovation
Contribute to the creative development of audio/visual elements for theme nights, player introductions, and sponsor activations
Research and recommend emerging technologies and trends to elevate the fan experience and event quality
Compliance, Safety & Maintenance
Ensure compliance with NBA broadcast and in-venue requirements, fire codes, OSHA regulations, and arena safety standards
Oversee equipment inventory, maintenance schedules, and vendor coordination to maintain optimal performance
Qualifications
3–5+ years of professional experience in lighting and/or audio engineering; arena, live event, or touring experience strongly preferred
Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical crews and collaborating with cross-functional teams
Proficiency with lighting control systems (e.g., GrandMA, ETC), audio consoles (e.g., Yamaha CL/QL, Avid), and show control software (e.g., QLab, Watchout)
Solid understanding of signal flow, RF coordination, rigging, and power distribution
Comfortable working non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Composed and confident presence during live events, with strong decision-making and troubleshooting skills
Compensation:
The offer range for this full-time, exempt role is $70,000 - $80,000. Final offers for this role will be made within the parameters of the salary range provided. Years of experience, skills, and other factors are considered when determining the salary offered. Total compensation & offer package will include the following:
