Stage Manager

eko is an innovative e-commerce startup dedicated to empowering brands to create, display, and optimize their video assets across digital platforms.

Thanks to our groundbreaking partnership with major retailers, and our ability to demonstrably increase e-commerce sales, we recently broke ground on a new facility focused on processing, capturing, and delivering data & media for millions of unique products annually.

Our first-of-its-kind facility opened in Northwest Arkansas in summer 2025 and is rapidly scaling to support high-volume, high-quality product media capture at unprecedented speed and scale.

As we continue to grow, we’re seeking an incredibly organized, decisive, and resourceful Stage Manager to ensure our capture stages run like clockwork. Think of this role as the air traffic controller of the studio: no robot spins, no photo is snapped, no capture begins without your sign-off. When it comes to stage readiness—you are the single point of accountability for ensuring stage readiness.

The Stage Manager is responsible for ensuring all capture stages and robotic stations are operational, safely maintained, and efficiently allocated at all times. They will work cross-functionally with key teams including Robotics, Hardware, Lighting, Software, Networking, and Production to ensure nothing gets in the way of daily output.

This is a high-urgency, high-accountability role. When something breaks, stalls, or slips—you’re the one who catches it (or ideally, prevents it in the first place).

What you will do:

Stage Operations Management

• Oversee day-to-day operational readiness of all robotic capture stations
• Serve as the primary liaison between Studio Ops and technical teams to ensure timely issue resolution
• Monitor and maintain a live stage status dashboard reflecting real-time availability, usage, and maintenance status

Station Planning & Allocation

• Own and maintain a rolling 24-hour station assignment matrix across all active stations
• Track and document station purposes (e.g., client use, dev testing, hardware work, lighting experiments)
• Collaborate with Robot, Software, Networking, and Lighting teams to manage space, avoid conflicts, and ensure readiness

Weekly Scheduling

• Create and distribute look-ahead setup schedules for all station configurations
• Define task ownership across Construction, Robot, Hardware, Networking, Lighting, and Creative teams
• Communicate clear deadlines and handoff expectations to all involved stakeholders

Daily Operations Protocol

• Own morning startup and evening shutdown protocols to ensure all stations are powered, functioning, and safely operated
• Assign responsibilities for regular cleaning and maintenance across capture zones
• Act as first responder to station-level issues or system failures, escalating as needed

Change Management

• Manage a dedicated Development Station for staging and testing all software, firmware, or hardware changes
• Implement a validation process ensuring updates pass dev testing before rollout
• Coordinate with relevant teams to execute staged deployments and manage rollback procedures when necessary

Infrastructure Implementation

• Formalize and lead the Stage Operations function across the Capture Factory
• Launch and maintain a live dashboard for station status and allocation
• Establish and enforce daily operational protocols and weekly scheduling systems

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Highly operational thinker who thrives in complex, fast-moving environments
• Studio or technical operations background in film, photography, robotics, or high-volume production
• Strong cross-functional communicator—able to work fluidly between technical teams, creative leaders, and front-line operators
• Excel wizard and Airtable ninja preferred—bonus points for anyone who has ever built a live dashboard
• Zero tolerance for bottlenecks, downtime, or ambiguity—stage readiness is your obsession
• Required to be on-site 5 days/week in Northwest Arkansas.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach regularly.
• Ability to work in a warehouse environment which may include exposure to varying temperatures, dust, and noise.

Work Environment:

• This position operates primarily within a factory setting.
• The noise level can range from moderate to loud.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts and vehicles (e.g. forklifts, trucks).

Why Join Us?

• Be the heartbeat of the studio. Your work ensures that the entire capture operation runs smoothly—without you, nothing moves.
• Own critical systems. You’ll define and run the infrastructure that underpins a one-of-a-kind, robotics-powered content engine.
• Grow with us. As we scale from dozens to hundreds of active stages, your systems and leadership will evolve in lockstep.

Benefits:

• 401K
• Premium health insurance
• Mental Health and Wellness Resources
•  Life and Disability Insurance
• HSA/FSA
• 12 Paid Holidays 

Note: The essential responsibilities of this position are described under the headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. This description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

eko is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe our strength lies in the diversity of our people. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that respects and celebrates individual backgrounds, perspectives, and contributions. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.