No two CI (custom installation) firms are the same. At one company a "remote programmer" could be very busy with a full time job of just programming remotes for single room systems. At another company all of the installers are expected to be "remote programmers" leaving more advanced programming for the full time programmer.

Most of the full-time-job programmers i know fit into 2 categories.

#1.They started as an installer.
#2.They started as an IT professional.

The installers typically have an easier time learning the programming tools because they know how "signal flow" and how systems ought to be designed...while the IT pros typically do well because our systems rely so heavily on computers & networking.

If you are not already an IT pro or an Installer you have a longer road ahead of you. Follow the advice listed above about looking for work with a local integrator.