Systems Integration Engineer (Hospitality Infrastructure)

CGA INTEGRATION

Sound & AV Systems | Hospitality Specialists

Job Title:

Installation Engineer (Networking & Audio)

Location: Bracknell, Berkshire  |  Salary: from £26,000 + annual review + bonus  |  Full-time, 40 hrs/week

About CGA Integration
CGA Integration has been designing and installing professional sound and AV systems since 2005. Based in Bracknell, we work primarily in high-quality hospitality environments — premium restaurants, five-star hotels, conference facilities, and the occasional church or rail project across the UK and into Europe.

We are not a large corporate. There are a few on the ground engineers, supported by an account manager and back office. Our clients consistently choose us over larger competitors because of the quality of our delivery and the care with which we support them long term. Much of our work comes through direct recommendation — we have been running a continual rollout for a premium Indian restaurant chain and have recently completed a full basement conference and AV suite at significant 5-star Hotel in London.

We fit sound, AV, video conferencing, digital signage, and integrated control systems — but what sets us apart is how we configure and script them for a genuine hospitality environment. We understand that connectivity, security, and seamless guest experience in a hotel or restaurant require a very different approach to a residential install.

Life at CGA is varied. One day you might be on a building site in hard hat and boots; the next afternoon you could be commissioning a system in a five-star London hotel. We take what we do seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. If we’re not enjoying it, we’re doing something wrong.
The Role
We are growing, and the time has come to bring another engineer into the team. This is a genuine ground-floor opportunity to grow into a fully independent installation engineer with a small, skilled, and supportive company.

The right person will spend their first six months building real knowledge of how we work, our client base, and the systems we install. After that, you will be trusted to go out and represent CGA independently.
What You’ll Be Doing
On a day-to-day basis this role covers a wide range of activities:

• Accompanying Chris or one of the team on installations — routing and terminating cables, mounting speakers and screens, racking and connecting equipment
• Attending service calls to diagnose faults, swap out equipment, rezone systems, or add new elements to existing installs
• Remotely accessing client sites via TeamViewer to monitor, update, and troubleshoot systems
• Working with clients directly on site to gather fault information and relay it accurately back to the team
• Running Windows-based configuration and diagnostic software for AV and networking equipment
• Eventually working independently on service calls and smaller installations, driving the company van from Bracknell
• Working as the ‘eyes and hands’ on site while other team members work remotely to guide you through configuration and commissioning

Your First Six Months
The first six months are all about learning the CGA way. You will shadow Chris on the majority of jobs — not carrying the bag but actively working alongside him and building a real understanding of our clients and how our systems are built and supported.

On days when site visits are not possible, you will have access to:

• Online training courses from manufacturers whose equipment we install
• Equipment on loan to take home and practise programming and configuration
• Tasks set against live equipment, so your learning has real context
• Remote access to existing client systems — go and look at a project from the day before and work out why it is programmed the way it is

After a one-month trial/probation period we will all have a clear sense of whether the fit is right. We are looking for personality and work ethic as much as technical skills.

Depending on your starting point, we will look at relevant training courses. Some will be manufacturer-specific audio or control courses; others may be networking qualifications. Where courses represent a significant investment, we may ask for a commitment to stay with us for a defined period afterwards — this will be agreed on a course-by-course basis.
After Six Months
Our aim is that after six months, the right person will be confident and capable enough to:

• Complete service calls independently, driving the company van from Bracknell.
• Manage parts of installations without supervision.
• Be the on-site engineer with remote support from the team.
• Make sound judgements on site and communicate clearly about what has happened — both the good and the not so good

In time, a company van is an option. As you develop, your pay will be reviewed to reflect your increased value and independence to the business. When you are out working on your own, it will free us up to go and develop more work — the business grows, and you will be rewarded as part of that growth.
What We’re Looking For
Essential

• Based in or around Bracknell, or able to get there independently until probation is complete
• Full UK driving licence (over 25 preferred for insurance reasons, but not a hard requirement)
• Good communication skills — able to speak with a building site crew and a five-star hotel manager on the same day, and switch comfortably between both
• Confident with Windows, Microsoft Office, and installing/configuring software
• Basic set of hand tools (we have the specialist and plant equipment)
• Common sense and the ability to handle yourself on a building site — this includes taking a bit of banter

Strongly Desired

• Building site experience — you know what a hard day’s work looks like
• Any electrical, networking, or IT background — even a keen amateur interest
• CSCS card — if you don’t have one, we can support you through the application and tests
• Networking knowledge (VLANs, port checking, IP scanning) — this is a gap in the team we are actively trying to fill, and we will invest in the right person to develop it
• An interest in music, audio, or AV technology – Not essential

The Person
We have a specific type of person in mind — not defined by a job title or a particular set of qualifications. Broadly we are thinking of someone who:

• Has a few years of real-world work behind them — we are not looking for a school leaver
• Is confident in their own skin and not afraid to say “I don’t understand that, talk me through it again”
• Can communicate honestly about what they have done on site — if something went wrong, we need to know about it, not hide it
• Has a bit of nerd in them (you enjoy configuring technology) but can also hold their own on a building site
• Wants to work for a company where they are known and valued, not lost in a large organisation
• Has a sense of humour and does not expect work to be completely serious

Why Join CGA?
We are a small company with a big reputation in our sector. Here is what joining us means:

Variety
Hotels, restaurants, conference venues, building sites, site surveys, remote support — rarely the same week twice

Real responsibility
You will not be a pair of hands fetching cables for years. We want you confident and independent within six months

Networking focus
We are actively investing in network skills — it is a gap we want to fill from within, and we will fund the right training

Flexibility
Early starts, occasional late finishes, occasional overnight stays for northern or European jobs — but we actively protect weekends and work around real life (doctor appointments, family commitments, the vet)

Time off in lieu
We do not pay overtime, but we give time back when the hours have been heavy

Bonus potential
We reward the team when the business does well. Engineers received bonuses last year and we intend to continue this

Pay growth
Salary reviewed every April for cost of living, and adjusted further as your skills and independence grow

Good clients
We work with premium venues and brands that value what we do. You will be proud of the environments you work in

Terms & Conditions

Salary
From £26,000 — reviewed upward with experience, networking skills, and independence. Annual April review for cost of living

Hours
40 hours per week (averaged monthly). You keep a weekly log of your hours

Holiday
30 days total (22 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays)

Pension
Company pension contribution included

Overtime
Not paid, but time off in lieu given

Probation
One month trial period

Van
Company van potentially available later for independent work

Training
Funded training courses in audio, AV, control systems, networking, and more. Significant courses may carry a commitment period

How to Apply
Send your CV with a brief note about yourself to Chris Gunton at CGA Integration ([email protected]). We are not looking for a polished cover letter — just tell us a bit about where you’ve come from, what draws you to this kind of role, and anything about your networking or technical background we should know about.

The process will involve a conversation with Chris, and if things look promising, a short practical period to make sure the fit is right on both sides. We will both know quickly if this is going to work.