Audio Visual Designer - remote but MUST be local to San Diego

Job Overview Job Title: Audio Visual Designer Company: IES Communications Location: San Diego, California, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Sales Operations / GTM Support Date Posted: February 19, 2026 Experience Level: 2-5 Years Remote Status: Remote (Local to San Diego Required) Role Summary • This role is crucial for supporting the sales and project management teams by developing detailed engineering designs and cost estimates for Audio Visual (A/V) and related technology solutions. • The position involves direct client interaction, site assessments, and acting as a liaison between sales, project management, and operations to ensure project feasibility and cost alignment. • A strong understanding of A/V systems, as well as related technical fields like CCTV, card access, and IP networking, is essential for success in this design and estimation capacity. • The role requires meticulous attention to detail in interpreting blueprints, writing scopes of work, and managing project documentation within strict deadlines, directly impacting the accuracy of sales bids and project profitability. Enhancement Note: While the title is "Audio Visual Designer," the responsibilities heavily lean into sales operations and GTM support, focusing on pre-sales engineering, estimation, and project scoping. The "remote but local to San Diego" requirement indicates a need for on-site client meetings or site visits within that specific geographic area, even though the primary work is remote. Primary Responsibilities • Develop comprehensive project engineering designs, including material selection and labor estimation, based on bid specifications and client requirements. • Write detailed scopes of work and prepare accurate cost estimates to support sales proposals and bid submissions. • Attend site walks and pre-bid meetings with clients and the sales team, meticulously documenting site conditions and project details. • Act as a key liaison between sales, project management, and operations teams during project handoff, ensuring a smooth transition and alignment on project scope and costs. • Monitor and analyze the correlation between sales price and actual installation costs to ensure profitability and identify areas for process improvement. • Adhere to company guidelines for preferred vendor and product selection, negotiating with vendors for optimal solutions, pricing, and lead times. • Perform floor plan takeoffs and apply recommended solutions from company documentation and technical support resources. • Ensure all engineering designs and proposed solutions meet customer expectations and company quality and safety standards. • Manage and prioritize multiple project estimates and designs simultaneously, adhering to strict bid schedules and deadlines. • Conduct and participate in job turnover meetings to ensure all project design details and expectations are clearly communicated to the installation teams. Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a critical function within the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, bridging the gap between sales requests and project execution. The emphasis on cost estimation, scope writing, and vendor management points to a role that directly influences deal profitability and successful project delivery. Skills & Qualifications Education: • High School Diploma or GED required. • Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree preferred. Experience: • Minimum of one (1) year of experience in customer-facing roles, serving as a liaison between clients and the company. • Minimum of two (2) years of experience in Audio/Visual (A/V) or a related technical/construction field, including but not limited to CCTV, Card Access, Intrusion Detection, Fire Alarm, and IP network-based systems. Required Skills: • Proven ability to interpret blueprints, project documents, specifications, and reporting requirements. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, MS Access database). • Familiarity with and ability to effectively utilize project-based accounting software. • Strong self-motivation, positive attitude, and a proactive approach to process improvement. • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and estimates concurrently. • Strong communication and interpersonal skills for effective liaison between departments and with clients. • Ability to travel within the local branch territory and regional territory as needed for site visits. Preferred Skills: • CTS-D (Certified Technology Designer) certification is preferred but not required. • Proven ability to design, engineer, estimate, and develop written and graphic representations of proposed solutions using company-provided automation resources. • Experience with specific A/V design software or CAD tools. Enhancement Note: The requirement for experience in related technical fields like CCTV, Card Access, and IP networks suggests the role might involve designing integrated solutions rather than solely A/V. The preference for a CTS-D certification indicates a strong emphasis on technical design principles within the A/V domain. Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements Portfolio Essentials: • Demonstrate a portfolio showcasing successful A/V system designs and engineering solutions, including detailed schematics and technical specifications. • Include examples of cost estimates and scopes of work, highlighting accuracy and adherence to bid requirements. • Present case studies of projects where you acted as a liaison between sales, project management, and operations, detailing your role in ensuring seamless project handoffs. • Showcase your ability to manage vendor relationships and secure competitive pricing and lead times for materials. Process Documentation: • Provide evidence of your process for interpreting blueprints and project documents to derive accurate material and labor estimates. • Document your approach to site assessment and how you translate site conditions into design considerations and cost adjustments. • Illustrate your method for ensuring quality and safety compliance in design proposals and documentation. • Showcase your system for tracking and managing multiple project estimates and deadlines efficiently. Enhancement Note: For this role, a portfolio demonstrating technical design capabilities, cost estimation accuracy, and effective cross-functional communication will be highly valued. Candidates should prepare to walk through specific examples of their work, emphasizing how their designs translated into successful project outcomes and profitable bids. Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: • $105,000 - $130,000 per year. Benefits: • Full Benefits Package, including: • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Retirement Savings Plan (e.g., 401(k)) • Life Insurance • Disability Insurance • Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives. Working Hours: • 40 hours per week, standard business hours. • Flexibility may be required to meet strict bid deadlines and client demands. • Remote work arrangement allows for flexibility in managing daily tasks, provided all deadlines and client needs are met. Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Design Engineer role with A/V and related technical system experience, especially considering the remote flexibility. The "Full Benefits" likely include comprehensive health, retirement, and paid time off, which are standard for direct-hire positions in this industry. Team & Company Context Company Culture Industry: Electrical, Mechanical, and Communications Contracting Solutions for Commercial, Industrial, Residential, and Renewable Energy Markets. Company Size: Over 8,400 employees, 129+ domestic locations, with over $2.3 billion in revenue (as of FYE Sept 30, 2023). This indicates a large, established national organization with significant resources. Founded: The company has a history that supports its large scale and market presence, implying established processes and a structured environment. Team Structure: • The A/V Designer will likely be part of a regional or national engineering/design team, working closely with local sales representatives and project managers. • Reporting structure is expected to be within an engineering or operations management hierarchy, with frequent collaboration across sales, estimation, and project execution departments. • Cross-functional collaboration is a key aspect, requiring strong communication with sales for opportunity qualification, project management for execution, and operations for labor and material coordination. Methodology: • Emphasis on data-driven design and estimation, utilizing company-recommended solutions and technical support. • Workflow planning and optimization are critical, especially in meeting strict bid deadlines and ensuring accurate costings. • Automation and efficiency are encouraged through the use of company-provided tools and software for design, estimation, and project management. Company Website: https://joinus.ies-co.com Enhancement Note: IES Communications operates as a large, publicly traded entity, suggesting a professional, process-driven culture. The company's broad industry reach means the A/V Designer might work on diverse project types, requiring adaptability and a comprehensive understanding of integrated systems. Career & Growth Analysis Operations Career Level: This role sits at an intermediate level, acting as a technical specialist who supports the sales and project execution functions. It requires a blend of technical design acumen and an understanding of the commercial aspects of project bidding. Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a Senior Designer, Engineering Manager, or Director of Operations, with direct collaboration with Sales Managers and Project Managers. Operations Impact: The A/V Designer's work directly influences the company's revenue by ensuring accurate and competitive bids, and impacts project profitability by optimizing designs and material selections. Effective design and estimation are critical for securing new business and delivering profitable projects. Growth Opportunities: • Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific A/V technologies or related systems (e.g., advanced IP networking, integrated security systems). • Senior Designer/Lead Engineer: Progress to roles with greater design complexity, mentorship responsibilities, and potentially leading design teams. • Project Management: Transition into project management roles, leveraging a strong understanding of design and estimation to oversee project execution. • Sales Engineering: Move into a more client-facing sales engineering role, focusing on solution selling and technical consultation during the sales cycle. • Operations Management: With broader experience, potential to move into operations management roles overseeing estimator teams or project delivery functions. Enhancement Note: This role offers a solid technical foundation within a large organization, providing clear paths for advancement either deeper into technical design or broader into project execution and sales support. The emphasis on "process improvement" suggests opportunities to contribute to optimizing the company's GTM workflows. Work Environment Office Type: Remote, with the requirement to be local to San Diego for potential in-person client meetings, site visits, or team collaboration sessions. Office Location(s): While the role is remote, the "local to San Diego" requirement means candidates must reside within reasonable commuting distance of San Diego, California, for occasional on-site needs. Workspace Context: • A home office setup conducive to focused design work, client calls, and collaboration with remote teams. • Access to company-provided software, potentially including design tools, project management platforms, and communication software. • Opportunities for collaboration will primarily be virtual, utilizing video conferencing, shared documents, and internal communication platforms. Work Schedule: • Standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility in daily scheduling to accommodate project deadlines and personal needs. • The role demands responsiveness to client and internal team requests, especially during critical bid periods. Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of this remote role (remote with local requirement) is common in technical design positions where client-facing activities or site assessments are necessary. Candidates should be prepared for both independent work and potential travel within the San Diego area. Application & Portfolio Review Process Interview Process: • Initial Screening: HR or Talent Acquisition will review applications and resumes for basic qualifications, including experience in A/V, related technologies, and the San Diego residency requirement. • Technical Interview: Likely with a hiring manager or senior engineer to assess technical knowledge, design capabilities, and understanding of A/V systems, CCTV, networking, etc. This may involve discussing past projects. • Skills Assessment/Case Study: Candidates may be asked to complete a design or estimation exercise, or present a case study from their portfolio, demonstrating their ability to interpret blueprints, write scopes, and estimate costs. • Cross-functional Interview: An interview with a sales representative or project manager to evaluate communication skills, ability to collaborate, and understanding of the sales-to-project handover process. • Final Interview: May involve senior leadership to discuss cultural fit, long-term career goals, and confirm alignment with company values. Portfolio Review Tips: • Technical Depth: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases your technical design skills for A/V systems and related technologies. Include schematics, system diagrams, and detailed specifications. • Estimation Accuracy: Present examples of cost estimates and scopes of work. Be prepared to discuss your methodology for calculating labor and material costs and how you ensure accuracy. • Problem-Solving: Highlight projects where you faced unique challenges (e.g., complex site conditions, integration issues) and how you engineered effective solutions. • Collaboration: If possible, include examples or testimonials that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with sales, project management, and clients. • Quantifiable Results: Where possible, quantify the impact of your work. For example, "Reduced material costs by X% through vendor negotiation," or "Secured Y number of bids due to accurate and timely estimates." Challenge Preparation: • Design Exercise: Practice interpreting architectural plans or floor layouts to identify A/V equipment placement, cabling routes, and system integration points. • Estimation Exercise: Work through sample scenarios to estimate labor hours and material costs for common A/V installations. Understand how to factor in site conditions and complexity. • Scope Writing: Prepare to write a concise and clear scope of work for a hypothetical A/V installation project, detailing what is included and excluded. Enhancement Note: The portfolio is critical for this role. Candidates should prepare to demonstrate not just design skills but also their understanding of the business impact of their designs, including cost-effectiveness and project feasibility. Tools & Technology Stack Primary Tools: • CAD Software: AutoCAD or similar for creating floor plans, schematics, and equipment layouts. • A/V Design Software: Potentially specialized A/V design and simulation tools (e.g., EASE, SKM PowerTools if integrated with electrical). • Project Management Software: MS Project is explicitly mentioned, suggesting its use for scheduling and task management. Other PM tools like Asana, Trello, or Jira might also be relevant. Analytics & Reporting: • Microsoft Excel: Essential for data analysis, cost breakdowns, material tracking, and generating reports. Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs) are likely required. • MS Access: Mentioned for database management, suggesting use for tracking project data, vendor information, or inventory. • Reporting Tools: Internal company reporting systems or BI tools might be used, though not explicitly named. CRM & Automation: • CRM Software: Familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) is beneficial for understanding sales pipeline and client interactions, though not explicitly required for the designer role. • Project Accounting Software: Proficiency with a project-based accounting package is a requirement, crucial for tracking project costs against estimates. • Automation Tools: The role involves utilizing "automation resources provided by the Company" for design and estimation, indicating the use of custom scripts, macros, or specialized software to streamline workflows. Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and MS Project, is non-negotiable. Familiarity with CAD and potentially specialized A/V design software will be key differentiators. The mention of "project based accounting software" and "automation resources" highlights the need for candidates to be adaptable to company-specific systems. Team Culture & Values Operations Values: • Integrity: Upholding accuracy in designs and estimates, and honesty in client and internal communications. • Customer Focus: Delivering solutions that meet client needs and ensure satisfaction, while also maintaining profitability for the company. • Teamwork & Collaboration: Actively participating in cross-functional teams, sharing knowledge, and supporting colleagues to achieve common goals. • Innovation & Improvement: Proactively identifying opportunities to enhance design processes, improve efficiency, and adopt new technologies. • Accountability: Taking ownership of designs, estimates, and project handoffs, ensuring high quality and adherence to standards. Collaboration Style: • Cross-functional Integration: Working closely with sales to understand bid requirements and client needs, and with project management to ensure designs are buildable and cost-effective. • Process Review: Participating in regular project reviews and post-project analysis to identify lessons learned and refine design and estimation processes. • Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the company's knowledge base by documenting best practices, preferred solutions, and vendor performance. Enhancement Note: The company values are likely centered around professionalism, client satisfaction, and operational excellence, given its size and industry. Candidates should emphasize their ability to collaborate effectively and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement in design and estimation processes. ⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities Challenges: • Balancing Speed and Accuracy: Meeting aggressive bid deadlines while ensuring the technical accuracy and cost-effectiveness of designs and estimates. • Interpreting Complex Requirements: Translating diverse client needs and technical specifications from various systems (A/V, security, networking) into cohesive designs. • Vendor Management: Navigating vendor relationships to secure competitive pricing and reliable lead times, especially for specialized equipment. • Remote Collaboration: Effectively communicating and collaborating with dispersed sales, project management, and operations teams without direct in-person interaction for daily tasks. • Keeping Pace with Technology: Staying current with rapidly evolving A/V technologies and related systems (IP networking, security integrations). Learning & Development Opportunities: • CTS-D Certification: The company may support candidates in obtaining the CTS-D certification, a significant step in professional development for AV designers. • Cross-Training: Opportunities to learn about related technical fields such as security systems, fire alarms, and IP networking, broadening skill sets. • Industry Conferences & Training: Access to industry events and vendor-specific training to stay updated on the latest technologies and design practices. • Mentorship: Learning from experienced senior designers and project managers within the organization. • Advanced Software Proficiency: Developing expertise in specialized design and estimation software utilized by IES Communications. Enhancement Note: This role presents an excellent opportunity for technical professionals to grow within a large, stable company. The challenges are typical of pre-sales engineering roles, and the growth paths are well-defined for those who excel. Interview Preparation Strategy Questions: • "Describe a complex A/V system you designed. What were the key technical challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on design methodology, problem-solving, and technical knowledge). • "Walk me through your process for creating a cost estimate for a commercial A/V project. What factors do you consider, and how do you ensure accuracy?" (Highlight estimation process, cost drivers, and risk assessment). • "How do you handle situations where sales and project management have conflicting expectations regarding a project's scope or budget?" (Demonstrate collaboration, communication, and negotiation skills). • "Imagine you're given a set of architectural blueprints for a new office building. What are the first steps you take to begin designing the A/V system?" (Showcase your systematic approach to design initiation). Company & Culture Questions: • "What do you know about IES Communications and our services in the electrical, mechanical, and communications contracting space?" (Research the company's website, recent news, and project portfolio). • "How do you align with a company's mission and values, especially regarding customer focus and continuous improvement?" (Relate your own work ethic and past experiences to IES's stated values). • "How do you approach working remotely while maintaining strong connections and collaboration with your team?" (Discuss your communication strategies, time management, and proactive engagement). Portfolio Presentation Strategy: • Select Diverse Examples: Choose 2-3 projects that best showcase your A/V design expertise, estimation skills, and ability to handle complex requirements. Include at least one project where you interacted closely with sales or project management. • Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline: • The Client/Project Context • The Challenge/Requirement • Your Design Solution (include visuals if possible) • The Estimation & Scoping Process • Key Outcomes (e.g., bid won, project success, cost savings) • Your specific contribution and role. • Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use numbers to illustrate your achievements (e.g., "estimated X% under budget," "contributed to winning a $Y project," "reduced material lead times by Z days"). • Be Ready for Technical Deep Dives: Prepare to answer detailed questions about your design choices, equipment selections, and technical justifications. Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely test both technical aptitude and the ability to integrate into a GTM team. Candidates should prepare to speak confidently about their design process, estimation methods, and collaborative skills, using their portfolio as concrete evidence. Application Steps To apply for this operations position: • Submit your application through the IES Communications careers portal at https://joinus.ies-co.com. • Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in Audio Visual design, cost estimation, blueprint interpretation, and any related technical fields (CCTV, card access, IP networking). Ensure keywords from the job description are incorporated naturally. • Prepare Your Portfolio: Assemble a digital portfolio that includes examples of A/V system designs, cost estimates, scopes of work, and any case studies demonstrating your problem-solving and collaborative abilities. Be ready to present this during the interview process. • Research IES Communications: Understand their services, market presence, and company culture. Familiarize yourself with their project types and industry focus. • Practice Interview Questions: Prepare answers to common technical, behavioral, and situational questions, focusing on demonstrating your design process, estimation accuracy, and ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment. ⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions. Apply tot his job Apply To this Job