DETAILS
Classification: Regular, Full-time, Hybrid
Location: Mountain View, California
Department: Collections & Exhibitions
Position Summary
The Computer History Museum (CHM) is looking for a creative and detail-driven Exhibit Developer to bring groundbreaking technology stories to life. In this dynamic role, you’ll work closely with curatorial, collections, and media teams to develop engaging, thought-provoking exhibits that align with CHM’s mission to decode technology for everyone. We’re seeking a visual storyteller with a strong background in museum interpretive planning, exceptional project coordination skills, and a passion for history, technology, and innovation. Reporting to the Chief Curatorial & Exhibitions Officer, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of CHM’s exhibitions—evolving existing displays and creating immersive new experiences that captivate diverse audiences. This is your opportunity to make an impact—transforming complex technological histories into compelling narratives that educate, inspire, and spark curiosity. If you’re ready to help shape the future of museum storytelling, we want to hear from you!
Responsibilities
- Under the direction of the Chief Curatorial & Exhibitions Officer, assist in developing exhibit strategy, concepts, key messages, learning goals and compelling exhibit experiences.
- Ensure all exhibit goals and key messages are clearly understood and assessed throughout the exhibit development process, including with cross-departmental team members as needed.
- Serve as an audience advocate, striving to create exhibit experiences that are engaging, surprising, and compelling for broad audiences, and also engaging for the museum’s technology audience.
- Coordinate and oversee exhibit content development process with internal and external team members, ensuring milestones are met.
- Work with curators to develop exhibit content, from organizing research materials, through graphic and media production and launch of the final exhibit.
- Oversee content creation and manage content assets for exhibitions and related digital content, including the development of media experience outlines; researching and licensing images and video; and some text creation.
- Manage a cross-departmental process to keep internal and external team members, such as designers and media creators, informed about and ensure they have a clear understanding of all content materials in a timely manner.
- Coordinate with registrars to track artifacts and archivists to procure archival assets for inclusion in exhibit.
- Coordinate with the marketing team to ensure exhibit materials, as appropriate, comply with brand and editorial guidelines; that they have the assets they need to effectively promote the exhibit to meet museum goals; and that timelines are effectively coordinated.
- Coordinate with facilities and venue rental teams during exhibit installation to ensure calendar alignment, clear communication and cross-departmental problem solving.
- Ensure all internal stakeholders have content and assets for launch, including but not limited to pre-opening tours, volunteer training, and promotion.
- Document exhibit assets for future updates or re-use.
Qualifications and Skills
- An undergraduate or graduate degree in history, museum studies or related experience.
- At least 5 years’ experience in planning and developing museum exhibition content and project coordination.
- A strong understanding of museum practices and the exhibit design and production process.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Positive team player, with a strong work ethic as well as adaptability to respond to evolving project needs.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders, including curators, designers, media developers, archivists, and registrars, etc.
- Proficiency with project management tools, such as Airtable, and familiarity with design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, video editing, etc.) is a plus.
- A sense of humor and passion for museums and the history of technology.
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 some 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: $80,000 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.
How to Apply
Are you ready to become a part of our team? To be considered for this position, applicants must include a cover letter, resume, and a list of 3 professional references and email to jobs@computerhistory.org. Please be sure to add the job title (exactly as it is spelled out in this site) that you are applying for in the subject line of your email.
