Posted: 04-May-26
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Type: Full Time
Salary: 28
Pay Frequency:
POSITION: Electrician
DEPARTMENT: Production, Stage Operations
REPORTS TO: Stage Operations Director
CLASSIFICATION: Full-time; Seasonal; Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: $28/hr; medical, vision, and dental insurance; paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and paid holidays; paid parental and bereavement leave; flexible spending and health savings accounts; employer-sponsored life and disability insurance (short- and long-term), as well as voluntary supplemental insurances including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, pet, and legal plans; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution and match; free parking within walking distance; and additional benefits and perks.
LOCATION & SCHEDULE: This is an in-person position reporting to our theaters located at 91 University Place in Princeton, NJ. Schedule includes frequent nights, weekends and some holidays, as determined by the production calendar. Weekly schedule will vary, with 40 hours guaranteed, depending on production needs and availability.
START DATE: Preferred start date of August 10, 2026
POSITION SUMMARY
McCarter Theatre Center is seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Electrician to support the implementation, operation, and maintenance of lighting systems and equipment across all of our venues. Working under the direction of the Stage Operations Director, this role engages the full arc of production activity — from hang and focus through performance and strike — while also contributing to the ongoing care and readiness of McCarter's electrical infrastructure. The Electrician works hands-on across our theaters, rehearsal spaces, and public areas, serving as a reliable and collaborative presence on a production team dedicated to bringing exceptional work to the stage.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & DUTIES
· Support the load-in, focus, and programming of lighting for McCarter mainstage productions.
· Receive and review light plots and technical designs for Princeton University productions in the Berlind Theatre, and implement those designs to the designer's specifications.
· Lead the load-in, focus, and programming of lighting for all Princeton University productions in the Berlind Theatre.
· Implement lighting for presented performances; serve as house lighting director for designated events.
· Work changeovers, load-in, strike, and run crew for produced and presented programming as scheduled.
· Perform routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of lighting fixtures, dimmer systems, control systems, and related equipment.
· Organize and maintain electrics department storage and equipment inventory.
· Contribute to additional electrics department tasks and Stage Operations projects as needed.
· Stay informed of health and safety issues regarding materials, equipment, and working environment; ensure compliance with all applicable electrical codes, safety regulations, and industry best practices, including OSHA standards and theatre safety protocols.
· Prioritize safe working practices while embodying McCarter's safety and community expectations policies to maintain a secure environment for all staff, guest artists, and other collaborators.
· Engage in the ongoing work of fostering an equitable and inclusive environment at McCarter. Actively seek ways to improve work practices to ensure greater accessibility, representation, and belonging for all, while upholding and exhibiting our stated values of “justice and joy, beauty and belonging.”
WORK ENVIRONMENT
· Led by our core values, McCarter fosters and expects a culture of care and respect for the wellbeing of our staff. We seek individuals who share our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace, where diverse perspectives are valued and respected.
· This position entails extended periods of standing and sitting, manual dexterity for operating office equipment, and the ability to read and interpret documents, while requiring lifting and carrying objects up to 70 pounds, engaging in repetitive tasks, walking, bending, and reaching within various work environments, including stairs. These tasks are part of the role; reasonable accommodations are available.
· This role involves working on ladders up to 35 feet high to access lighting equipment and rigging. Employee should be comfortable and experienced working at elevated heights and demonstrate adherence to safety protocols and procedures when working on elevated platforms. These tasks are part of the role; reasonable accommodations are available.
· Work is primarily completed in a shared office space at 91 University Place, Princeton, NJ, as well as in theater spaces and rehearsal rooms, subject to normal building and HVAC conditions.
· Ability to work in various levels and colors of lighting and brightness/visibility, as well as exposure to dust and theatrical haze or fog.
· Potential for moderate to high noise environments depending on production and performance elements; ability to hear and speak clearly in areas with significant background noise.
· This position requires attendance on-site for all scheduled work calls, including various performances and events. These will be communicated and scheduled in advance.
· Employees in this role will use a personal mobile device for limited work-related functions, including secure system access through multi-factor authentication tools.
This job posting describes the general nature and level of work expected in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications, and may be modified as needed.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
McCarter is one of the country's flagship theatres, a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts, and a key cultural anchor for Central New Jersey. Located on the campus of Princeton University and incorporated as an independent, charitable nonprofit, the company is a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages.
A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. A home for new play development and world premieres, the company has launched numerous works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world.
Among the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 7,500 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust arts-in-education offerings. The company offers more than 20 annual in-school residencies in classrooms in Princeton and Trenton, hosts schools from throughout the region for student matinee performances, and offers need-based scholarships to every one of its dozens of educational after-school and summer programs each year. Co-led by Artistic Director Sarah Rasmussen and Executive Director Martin Miller, McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.
TO APPLY Please visit our Career Center page to apply for this position. While resumes and cover letters are optional, we welcome any additional context you would like to share about your experience and interest in this role. We look forward to learning more about you and the perspective you would bring to the position.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT
McCarter is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring, supporting, and promoting a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. We seek team members who bring a range of backgrounds and experiences in support of an expansive artistic vision; who are committed to ongoing anti-racism and anti-oppression work, both individually and collectively; and who value collaboration, curiosity, flexibility, and continuous personal and professional growth.
We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet every qualification listed. Many skills are transferable, and we recognize that strong candidates may bring relevant experience, intuition, and perspective gained through a variety of paths. McCarter is committed to on-the-job training and mentorship.
McCarter Theatre Center is also committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants who require accommodations may contact Human Resources at (609) 258-6500 or email jobs@mccarter.org.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Demonstrated proficiency programming ETC lighting consoles, including cueing and show file management for live performance.
· Working knowledge of theatrical lighting software, including LightWright for paperwork and documentation; familiarity with Vectorworks or equivalent drafting tools is a plus.
· Strong knowledge of theatrical lighting equipment, including conventional fixtures, moving lights, and LED technology, as well as dimmer systems and DMX/networking infrastructure.
· Ability to read and interpret light plots, sections, and technical documentation.
· Familiarity with rigging practices and comfort working safely at height.
· Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across a team and with visiting artists.
· A collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to work, with the ability to build effective relationships across a team of people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and work styles.
· This position requires a valid U.S. driver's license and successful completion of a background screening, including a motor vehicle record check, prior to position start date.
