Project Engineer: Ford Audio-Video Systems

Ford Audio-Video (Ford AV) has been in business since 1973 and is a nationally recognized electronics contractor (or integrator) that designs, installs, services, and rents sound, video, and lighting systems throughout the United States . The company has seven divisions with its corporate headquarters located in Oklahoma City, employs approximately 280+ people and is licensed in more than twenty states. Ford AV installs systems in churches, schools, arenas, stadiums, entertainment and corporate facilities. Sound systems range from small churches to 80,000 seat stadiums. A/V systems include videoconferencing, and training, meeting, and boardrooms. Lighting systems are designed for theatrical and broadcast television. Ford AV installs systems in Las Vegas show rooms, command and control rooms for the US military, and network operation centers for telecommunication providers. Most systems are digital and controlled by PC’s using software designed by Ford AV engineers. Knowledge of room acoustics and noise control is required.

Ford AV currently employs 30+ electrical engineers. Engineers have always been an integral part of Ford AV and they play a significant role in the systems designed and installed.

Engineers have the opportunity to design all types of systems. They are responsible for working with sales to meet with customers, determining system functional requirements, and preparing the design and sales proposal. Upon initiation of a contract, the engineer designs the systems and prepares CAD drawings so that the Project Manager, Job Superintendent, and Installation Technicians can install the job. The engineer writes all software required to control the A/V equipment, performs quality control during the assembly of the system racks, and tests the systems before they are shipped to the job site. Normally, the engineer is required to travel to the job site to check on the progress of the installation. The engineer is required to meet with the customer, the customer’s representative, the project architect and engineers, the general contractor, and subcontractors throughout the term of the project. The engineer is responsible for performing final system testing and balancing. The engineer participates in the training of the customer. Every engineer is expected to look at all Ford AV projects with an emphasis on quality design, installation, and service.

Approximately 65% of the engineer’s time is spent working at a PC preparing CAD system drawings, programming DSP, and designing A/V computer control systems. The remaining time is spent meeting with clients and inspecting, testing, and working at job sites. Travel is required on an average of four days per month. This will vary depending upon the size of the project and its location.

Ford AV’s contracts required Ford AV to complete jobs on a specific date and time and therefore engineers are required to work and take all actions required to complete the job according to the specifications and within the allotted time frame. Many projects are related to religious facilities, the entertainment industry, and sporting venues which have completion dates on weekends. This requires engineers to complete systems and perform training on weekends.

All engineers are expected to stay employed with Ford AV for a minimum of four years. Most engineers required two to three years of training to become productive. This is especially true in the areas of room acoustics and how sound systems are designed for large facilities with seating capacities exceeding 3,000. Experience is also required for theatrical and television lighting, programming of computer controlled A/V systems and the design of broadcast video systems. Typically, Ford AV establishes a four year pay program for the engineer with pay increases set for each year. This program creates long term stability for the new engineer and for the company. The salary is based upon the engineer’s experience. Ford AV includes all engineers, project managers, job superintendents, and installation technicians in a profit sharing program based upon the profit of each job completed.

Ford AV has a reputation for having excellent engineering and it is our goal to only employ the highest quality engineers. Our engineers are expected to be leaders in our company and set a high standard for personal integrity, work ethic, professional presentation, and quality of work. We are only interested in engineers that have a passion for the audio/video industry as a career. Prior experience and having a documented interest in audio/video/lighting is important. Having the ability to play a musical instrument and read music is a benefit when working with sound systems and professionals that use sound systems installed by Ford Av.

Applicants that do not have the required experience may apply for two entry level positions. The path for entry level one requires the engineer to work for one year as an Installation Technician and for one year as a Field Engineer prior to becoming a Project Engineer. For applicants with more experience entry level two requires the engineer to work for one year as a Field Engineer prior to becoming a Project Engineer. The same four year commitment and profit sharing applies to these positions. The Installation Technician and the Field Engineering position both require extensive travel. Ford AV jobs are located across the US and may take up to six months to be completed. Typically, the travel is two week periods at a time. Travel can be as much as 40 weeks per year. Installation Technicians install equipment, pull wire, and make terminations at the job site. Field Engineers test and repair equipment at the job site. Field Engineers may be required to participate in some installations.