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Audio Engineer – MBC Tysons

Mclean Bible Church
3 days ago
Full-time
On-site
Vienna, Virginia, United States
Live Audio

Each weekend, more than 4,500 people attend two services, making clear and consistent audio essential to a distraction‑free worship experience. The Audio Engineer helps create an environment where people can encounter God, while providing confidence to worship leaders and other church leaders through excellent FOH and in-ear mixes. In a diverse worship context—spanning contemporary, gospel-influenced, orchestral and acoustic sets—this role translates vision into a consistent sonic experience that welcomes first-time guests and longtime members alike. By balancing artistry with technical discipline, the Audio Engineer protects intelligibility, manages dynamics, and ensures a comfortable, engaging environment where the congregation can sing, listen, and respond. 


Within the Production Team, the Audio Engineer is a systems builder, a culture carrier, and a collaborator. You’ll architect reliable workflows, develop and mentor volunteers through tiered training, and partner closely with the Production Team to keep gatherings seamless end-to-end. Your fingerprints are on every moment that requires poise under pressure—changeovers, mic handoffs, transition cues—anchoring the team with preparation, documentation, and calm problem-solving. By stewarding equipment, standardizing SOPs, and monitoring FOH/IEM quality, you support a ministry where the message stays front and center and the mechanics remain unseen. 


Duties and responsibilities (Essential Functions)


Front of House Audio Mixing

  • Deliver consistent, musical mixes across contemporary, gospel-influenced, orchestral, and acoustic sets; prioritize vocal clarity and congregational singability.
  • Maintain dynamics that support participation during high-energy moments and spoken-word segments.
  • Build and maintain scene/snapshot libraries for worship, transitions, and teaching; implement safe filters for pastor mics and video elements.
  • Execute virtual soundcheck to refine balances, EQ, compression, and FX without consuming band rehearsal time; document before/after changes.

 

In Ear/Monitor Mixing

  • Create consistent, low-latency IEM mixes using per-artist templates, stereo imaging, and ambience mics; manage click/track levels and MD talkback routing.
  • Lead rapid line checks and musician-first IEM setup (presetting mixes before rehearsals)
  • Keep a clean, predictable workflow for quick troubleshooting.
  • Train worship leaders and volunteers how to achieve the best possible in-ear mix.

 

Event Support and Cross-Ministry Coverage

  • Midweek and Special Events - Provide scalable audio support for students, young adults, prayer nights, conferences, and offsite events; adapt input lists and PA as needed.
  • Train ministry leads on simple setups; offer quick-start kits with diagrams and checklists.
  • Multi-Location/Portable Scenarios - Prepare show files, PA, and RF plans for portability; standardize labeling and color-coding for fast deployment.

 

Stage and Systems

  • Oversee patching, input lists, gain structure, scene/snapshot management, and virtual soundcheck.
  • Own RF coordination (urban spectrum) and IEM frequency planning; monitor and mitigate interference.
  • Maintain consoles, DSP, PA tuning, and Dante network health; document show files and change control.

 

Team Leadership

  • Recruit, onboard, schedule, and coach volunteer FOH and Monitor Engineers; create tiered competency paths.
  • Develop training content (playbooks, videos, checklists); run quarterly bootcamps and shadowing rotations.
  • Foster a calm, solution-first culture; give timely, pastoral feedback.

 

Administration and Stewardship

  • Manage inventory, repairs, rentals, and vendor relationships; recommend upgrades with cost/benefit rationale.
  • Prepare stage plots, input lists, and run sheets (e.g., Planning Center); archive multitracks/stems.
  • Track metrics, incidents, and improvements; report to Production Director.

 

Qualifications


Experience

  • Three or more years of experience as an Audio Engineer
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience preferred.
  • Prior church experience desired.


Key Traits

  • Vibrant, personal relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior and a commitment to godly character and self-discipline in personal lifestyle. 
  • Organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Ability to recruit, train and manage large groups of volunteers.
  • Attention to detail and a passion for accuracy, clarity, and beauty.
  • Action-oriented and displays focus, passion and initiative. Takes appropriate action when something needs to be done.
  • Relates well to all kinds of people, builds effective relationships, communicates effectively both interpersonally and corporately.
  • Organized, creative thinker and highly productive, working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Committed to improvement, seeks constructive criticism, understands strengths and weaknesses.
  • Passion for serving the church.


Competencies


General Expertise

  • Audio mixing
  • In-ear mixing and training
  • Broadcast mixing
  • Waves Soundgrid
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Overseeing team of staff and volunteers
  • Organizing and planning live production events


Technical Knowledge

  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Digital Audio Consoles
  • Waves Soundgrid and Plugins
  • SMAART
  • Large format PA deployments
  • LA Network Manager


Working conditions

  • Normal schedule is Sunday - Thursday
  • Flexibility in hours available for work, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
  • Occasional out of town travel.
  • Use of standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
  • Able to read, speak, and hear. 
  • Ability to differentiate between colors.
  • Must be able to lift and carry items that can weigh 35 pounds or more for short distances.
  • Occasional use of stairs. 
  • Must be comfortable driving large box trucks and pass approved driver testing.
  • Must be comfortable towing small to mid-size trailers.
  • Required local travel to other MBC Locations.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Please contact our HR Department for further information if needed.


Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.







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