Technical Assistant - Sahara Arena

Role Overview

Technical Assistant at Sahara Arena, Sahara Kuwait Resort. Report to the Operations Manager. Support daily technical operation and maintenance of the venue to ensure the arena is safe, event-ready, and operating efficiently.

Company Overview

Al Jazeera Real Estate Development Co. K.S.C.C (AJRE), founded in 2002, is a closed shareholding company with 22 years of track record providing high-quality developments including Sahara Kuwait Golf Resort, Murouj Mall, and Sahara Equestrian Resort. AJRE is committed to the pursuit of excellence and continues to evaluate ways to strengthen policies and practices to promote the interests of shareholders, partners, and employees.

Role Purpose

The Technical Assistant supports the Operations Manager in maintaining and operating the Sahara Arena to a standard consistent with comparable local and regional arenas. You will coordinate maintenance activities, review technical event requirements, and provide technical support before, during, and after events.

Key Responsibilities

Venue Operations & Preventive Maintenance

• Assist in daily technical operation of the arena, including mechanical, electrical, fire/life-safety, rigging and AV systems.
• Perform routine inspections and Preventive Planned Maintenance (PPM), logging all activity in the venue's CMMS or maintenance-tracking system.
• Coordinate maintenance team and supervise contractors and specialist vendors, verifying completed work meets venue and manufacturer standards.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, asset registers, and technical documentation including as-built drawings, rigging certificates, and equipment manuals.
• Ensure all building systems and event infrastructure – including the rigging grid up to its full rated capacity, power distribution, HVAC, and LED/AV systems – operate safely and efficiently.

Event Technical Support

• Attend technical meetings and advance calls with event organizers, touring production teams, and contractors.
• Review and validate incoming technical riders, stage plots, and rigging plans against venue capacities before approving load-ins.
• Provide hands-on technical support during event setup, rehearsals, live events, and dismantling, including standby coverage for live shows.

Pre- & Post-Event Responsibilities

• Before each event: review technical submissions, verify rigging and roof/grid loads against certified limits, inspect hoists, trusses, chain motors, power distribution boards/generators and AV systems, and confirm the arena is fully event-ready.
• After each event: inspect the venue and equipment for damage or faults, document maintenance requirements, coordinate necessary repairs with contractors, and ensure the arena is restored and ready for the next event.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Support compliance with Kuwait Civil Defence, fire/life-safety, and recognized international rigging and entertainment-industry safety standards.

Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or related) or a related technical field.
• 2+ years' experience in arenas, theatres, exhibition halls, stadiums, or live event production preferred.
• Recognized rigging/safety certification (e.g., ETCP Rigger, IRATA, or equivalent), or willingness to obtain one, is an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong working knowledge of entertainment rigging, trusses, chain hoists/motors (including large-capacity grids), AV systems, professional sound and lighting, LED screens, and electrical power distribution/generators.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, rigging plans, load calculations, and event layouts.
• Familiarity with CMMS or maintenance-tracking software for PPM and asset management.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; AutoCAD or Vectorworks knowledge is a strong advantage.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to stay calm under the time pressure of live event load-in/load-out.

Additional Information

• Willingness to work flexible hours – including evenings, weekends, and public holidays – based on event schedules, and to provide on-call standby coverage during live shows.