At Hamilton Robson, our AV engineers are at the forefront of delivering innovative solutions for clients worldwide. To shine a light on their expertise and day-to-day work, we sat down with some of them to pull this insightful series of Q&As.

Starting with Colm, an experienced AV programmer for a behind-the-scenes look at his journey, the exciting developments in AV, and his advice for breaking into the industry.

What was your background prior to joining Hamilton Robson?
Before joining Hamilton Robson, in a previous job I met some of the Hamilton Robson team for the first time. If it hadn’t been for my introduction to the AV industry by Colum and Ricky (CTO and Senior AV Designer), prior to what was meant to be a short stay in Sydney I’d likely have followed the typical regional route of farming or labouring rather than pursuing a career in this tech industry.

What does your typical working week look like?
My role involves a mix of fault-finding for customer support and delivering projects through the commissioning and programming of AV systems worldwide. I spend a lot of time on-site, whether visiting completed projects, checking in on new ones, or traveling to exciting new locations where we’re kicking off a fresh job.

What’s the most exciting tech development you’ve seen in AV recently?
One of the most fascinating advancements in AV is how manufacturers are simplifying the complexity of camera tracking. Features like microphone arrays and speech detection now allow for improved live shots, especially in large boardrooms with 20+ participants. These technologies make user interfaces much more intuitive.

Another exciting development is the increasing presence of augmented reality (AR) and virtual production technology in the corporate world. The growing use of LED walls and other production equipment is paving the way for these tools to become more mainstream in the near future.

What do you enjoy most about being an AV engineer?
I love being hands-on with the latest technology and constantly learning new aspects of configuration, programming, and signal routing and processing.

Any advice for people looking to get into the industry?
The AV industry, though niche within the tech sector, offers a wide range of specialist areas—from broadcast and production to corporate and live events. It can offer some of the most hands on and deeply technical career paths in tech, which is what was so appealing to me.

• • If you’re coming from an audio or visual background, it’s a good idea to complement your expertise with fundamentals in IT and electronics, as systems continue to transition to more digital environments.
  • If you’re coming from an IT background, learning basic electronics and audio principles will give you a solid foundation.
  • If you’re coming from an electronics background, keep an open mind about the various directions AV can take you. Consider exploring programming or signal processing—both can be deeply rewarding (though complex) paths.

No matter where you’re starting, the key is to stay curious and adaptable in this ever-evolving field!