Details
Classification: Exempt, Regular, Fulltime
Location: Mountain View, CA
The Computer History Museum (CHM) is the world's leading institution exploring the history and ongoing impact of computing. Through collections, exhibitions, programs, publications, and digital experiences, CHM preserves and shares the stories of the people, technologies, and ideas that have shaped our world.
We are seeking an intellectually curious, entrepreneurial, and highly collaborative curator to help document, preserve, and interpret the history of computing, with particular emphasis on developments from the last 25 years and their impact on society. This role combines collecting, exhibition development, and public engagement.
Position Summary
The Curator will serve as a subject-matter expert on the history of computing and its societal implications, helping CHM identify and preserve significant stories, artifacts, and archives. They will also contribute across the full spectrum of museum activities, including collecting, oral histories, exhibitions, digital content, public programs, media engagement, and VIP engagement.
This role requires both a knowledge of the breadth of computing history and an ability to engage effectively with industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, journalists, donors, and museum audiences.
The initial focus for the curator will be contemporary history, that is, developments from the last 25 years to the present.
Responsibilities
Exhibitions & Interpretation
- Lead or contribute to the development of permanent, temporary, and online exhibitions.
- Research, write, and interpret historical content for diverse audiences.
- Translate complex technological subjects into engaging, accessible stories.
- Work closely with exhibit developers, exhibit designers, media producers, educators, and external partners throughout the exhibition development process.
Digital Content & Public Engagement
- Develop digital content, like timelines, blogs, collection features, online exhibitions, videos, and educational resources.
- Contribute subject expertise to CHM's website, social media, publications, and digital initiatives.
- Support the development of computing applications that expand access to CHM's collections and interpretive products.
- Participate in public programs, panels, interviews, podcasts, and community engagement activities.
Collecting Documentation, and Preservation
- Identify, evaluate, and pursue acquisitions of historically significant artifacts, archives, software, born-digital materials, and corporate records.
- Build and maintain relationships broadly to develop collecting opportunities and secure significant donations.
- Conduct research and documentation to establish provenance, significance, and historical context for collections.
- Initiate and conduct oral history interviews with diverse figures from the broad history of computing, including influential innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and industry leaders.
- Collaborate with curators, collections and archival staff to advance acquisitions and stewardship activities.
- Help identify technologies and trends that should be documented before they are lost to history.
VIP Engagement and External Relations
- Serve as a museum ambassador for donors, industry leaders, government officials, researchers, and media.
- Lead tours and presentations for VIP guests and special audiences.
- Work with docents to create compelling tours for the public.
- Represent CHM at industry conferences, academic gatherings, and professional events.
- Support media inquiries and serve as a knowledgeable spokesperson on relevant topics when appropriate.
- Help cultivate relationships that advance CHM's collecting, exhibition, educational, and fundraising goals.
Strategic Initiatives
- Monitor emerging developments in computing, artificial intelligence, software, networking, robotics, digital culture, and related fields.
- Help shape museum priorities for collecting and interpretation in rapidly evolving areas.
- Contribute to long-range curatorial planning and institutional strategy.
- Work collaboratively across departments to advance CHM's mission and public impact.
Competencies
The qualities and behaviors that will define the role’s effectiveness and impact.
- Possesses deep expertise in the history of computing, particularly developments from the late 1990s to the present.
- Understands the intersection of technology and society, including the cultural, economic, political, and ethical implications of computing.
- Builds trust and maintains strong relationships across technical, academic, business, and cultural communities.
- Communicates effectively with both expert and general audiences.
- Identifies compelling stories, artifacts, and historical narratives that resonate with the public.
- Balances scholarly rigor with creativity and audience engagement.
- Operates effectively in a collaborative, fast-moving environment.
- Demonstrates sound judgment, initiative, and adaptability.
Qualifications and Skills
Background, Experience, Skills and Education
Required
- Bachelor's degree in history, science and technology studies, museum studies, information studies, electrical engineering, or a related field.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in a museum, archive, academic institution, research organization, technology company, or related environment.
- Demonstrated expertise in the history of computing and contemporary technology.
- Experience developing museum exhibitions, digital content, or public history projects.
- Experience conducting historical research and producing interpretive content.
- Experience with collecting, archives, oral histories, or related documentation activities.
- Strong writing, presentation, and public speaking skills.
- Proven ability to develop relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work effectively across teams.
Preferred
- Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline.
- Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, educational organization, archive, library, nonprofit, or mission-driven organization.
- Familiarity with digital preservation, born-digital collections, or software history.
- Experience working with technology companies, founders, engineers, researchers, or industry organizations.
- Media, press, or public-facing communications experience.
- Knowledge of contemporary fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, networking, cybersecurity, gaming, digital media, or consumer technology.
- Experience coordinating with designers, developers, vendors, or technical teams on website improvements or digital product features.
Work Arrangement
Location, Schedule, Travel, and Working Conditions
- Hybrid position based in Silicon Valley, with a minimum on-site requirement of 60% each month at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View.
- Ability to work in office, gallery, event, and production environments.
- Occasional evening and weekend work for programs and events.
- Local and domestic travel, with occasional international travel, as required.
- Ability to engage with diverse audiences in both in-person and virtual settings.
Benefits
- Fully sponsored Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Partially sponsored Health dependent costs
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with employer contributions
- 403(b) retirement plan with 1:1 employer matching
- Generous PTO (Paid Time Off) benefits
- Fully sponsored Life and Disability Insurance
- Employee Discounts in museum store and onsite cafe
Salary Range: $90,000–$100,000 annually
About CHM
At the Computer History Museum our mission is to decode technology—its computing past, digital present, and future impact on humanity. From the heart of Silicon Valley, we share insights from our research, our events, and our incomparable collection of computing artifacts and oral histories to convene, inform, and empower people to shape a better future.
At CHM, we believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success. We provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Our Values
At CHM, we strive to create a culture that is collaborative, caring, and fun, where we hold ourselves accountable, look for the best in each other, and learn together. These are our values: integrity, inclusiveness, innovation, communication, curiosity.
How to Apply
Are you ready to become a part of our team? In order to be considered for this position, applicants must include a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references and email to [email protected]. Please be sure to add the job title (exactly as it is spelled out on this site) that you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
