BROADCAST SYSTEM ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION

Keep a broadcast system running and everything downstream stays invisible to the audience. Let it degrade, and newsrooms lose feeds, studios go dark, and live transmission fails without warning. Broadcast System Engineers own the technical health of studio, control room, and newsroom infrastructure - from ingest and editing workflows through to transmission and satellite uplink - within television and media production environments. The role demands equal fluency in broadcast standards such as SMPTE and HDTV and in the IT networks that carry signal across a modern facility.

As the Broadcast System Engineer, you maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize the full range of broadcast and IT systems that keep live and recorded television production on air across studio, newsroom, and uplink environments. The position operates within an engineering team, coordinating daily with editorial operators, shift lead engineers, production staff, and external vendors to resolve faults and deliver infrastructure improvements on time.

Career Impact: Deep hands-on experience across encode/decode transmission platforms, Media Asset Management systems, and satellite uplink operations translates directly into senior broadcast engineering credentials sought across major television networks and streaming operators.

Business Impact: When a fault hits a live transmission feed or a newsroom editing infrastructure goes down, this role is the first line of resolution - keeping broadcast output reaching audiences without interruption and protecting on-air revenue.

Growth Opportunity: Engineers who master both SMPTE broadcast standards and IP network architecture in this role are well placed to move into Senior Broadcast Systems Engineer or Network Engineering leadership positions overseeing multi-site broadcast infrastructure.

• Maintain and repair studio, control room, and newsroom equipment including cameras, audio systems, routers, satellite receivers, and editing systems to transmission-ready standards.
• Troubleshoot faults across broadcast and IT environments including network servers, storage, LAN infrastructure, and encode/decode platforms to restore service within agreed timeframes.
• Evaluate and optimize video workflows spanning editing infrastructures, file-based ingest systems, and virtualized environments to support production efficiency.
• Document system configurations, wiring records, and incident logs using change control procedures to support operational continuity and audit readiness.
• Coordinate with manufacturers, third-party vendors, and internal stakeholders to resolve interoperability issues and manage equipment upgrades.
• Validate new technology through structured testing and commissioning processes, then train operational staff on updated procedures.
• Monitor transmission readiness by lining up outside sources, managing record feeds, and confirming media delivery formats with contributing parties.
• Support shift-based operations across weekdays, weekends, overnights, and holidays, including on-call response to emergency off-air situations.

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Electronics, or a related technical field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2 or more years of broadcast systems engineering experience, with direct exposure to live television or studio production environments.
• Knowledge of broadcast video formats, encoding standards, and signal flow across baseband, IP, and RF environments.
• Understanding of HDTV concepts, SMPTE standards, and broadcast control systems used in studio and transmission operations.
• Ability to install, maintain, and troubleshoot computer hardware, network equipment, and operating systems across Windows and Linux environments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce concise technical handovers and liaise with manufacturers and editorial staff.
• Physical capability to lift up to 50 lbs., climb ladders, work on elevated surfaces, and install wiring and rack equipment as required.
• Willingness to work flexible hours including nights, weekends, and holidays, and to travel to remote sites with short notice.

• Experience with nonlinear editing workflows and file-based encoding and transfer systems in a broadcast production environment.
• Knowledge of satellite operations including uplink/downlink procedures, DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards, and MPEG compression systems.
• Familiarity with newsroom control systems, broadcast graphics platforms, and production asset management environments.
• Programming or scripting experience relevant to broadcast workflow automation or system diagnostics.

• Mean time to resolution for reported broadcast faults, measuring how quickly system failures are diagnosed and closed.
• Percentage of planned maintenance tasks completed within the agreed change control window each month.
• Incident recurrence rate, tracking how often the same fault type reappears within 30 days of a fix.
• Transmission fault count per shift period, reflecting the stability of managed broadcast infrastructure.
• Documentation completeness score, measured by audit-ready wiring records and up-to-date system configuration logs.
• Typical tools: Nonlinear editing platforms (commonly Avid or EVS), file-based encoding systems (commonly Vantage or Content Agent), network analysis tools (commonly Wireshark).

• Base Salary Range: $65,000 to $95,000 per year depending on seniority and market
• Bonus: Annual discretionary bonus, typically 5 to 10% of base salary
• Equity: Not typically offered at this level in broadcast media
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employee and dependents
• PTO: 15 to 20 days per year plus public holidays
• Common Perks: On-call allowances, shift differentials for overnight and weekend work, and technical training support

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Broadcast System Engineer owns the evaluation, optimization, and documentation of video workflows, editing infrastructures, and encode/decode transmission platforms across Production Operations, Engineering, IT, and Field Operations teams. Working closely with external technical support teams and internal operations groups, the engineer delivers projects on time while implementing new technologies and maintaining broadcast standards that keep systems running reliably.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop strong working relationships with department leaders and their teams including Production Operations, Engineering, IT, Creative Services, Sales, Traffic and News and Field Operations groups to manage systems, documentation, develop best practices and implement new technologies and deliver projects on time.
• Develop and maintain system documentation for operational and troubleshooting purposes.
• Evaluate and optimize workflows related to all systems including video workflows, editing infrastructures, virtualized environments, encode/decode transmission platforms, and file-based systems.
• Evaluate, test, and install upgrades to all platform operating systems, applications, and hardware.
• Provide troubleshooting and support with the ability to perform emergency maintenance on studio, control room, and newsroom equipment.
• Work with external technical support teams to ensure timely resolution of customer requests and issues.
• Assess production workflows and identify processes that can be streamlined or improved with new hardware, software, or automation.
• Work with operations teams to ensure SOPs and documentation are written and up to date.
• Participate in the testing, evaluation, and commissioning of new technology and train others on new technology or operation procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Experience in a similar role with an ISP, media company, systems integrator, or other relevant industry.
• Knowledge of video workflows, NLE, Media Asset Management systems, LiveU newsgathering, and file-based systems.
• Knowledge of virtualized Windows and Linux environments and encode/decode transmission platforms.
• Proficiency in managing and supporting editing infrastructures and workflow tools.
• Ability to work flexible hours including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and overnights as needed.
• Ability to lift and carry 30+ pounds of gear.

Embedded within the television station engineering team, the Broadcast System Engineer supports day-to-day news operations, broadcast infrastructure, and computer-based IT systems across news, sales, marketing, and studio departments. Working closely with engineering management and operational users, the engineer maintains and repairs a broad range of equipment to keep transmission and production environments running without interruption.

Core Functions

• Support day-to-day operations of the television station including all daily news operations, equipment, and computer-based IT systems.
• Maintain and repair satellite receivers, cameras, switchers, graphic systems, audio equipment, routers, automation, editing systems, intercoms, monitors, and display systems.
• Troubleshoot and repair computer hardware, software, and peripherals including network servers, storage, network operating systems, PCs, and software applications.
• Provide technical support to operational users and consult with engineering management on technical issues.
• Create and maintain wiring documentation and system configuration documentation.
• Maintain knowledge of technological advances including computer software and hardware, media and entertainment technologies, television broadcasting, and studio and remote production.
• Maintain, support, and upgrade broadcast and IT environments throughout the station including news, sales, marketing, and broadcast studio departments.
• Perform light building maintenance and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Associate degree in electronics, related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience troubleshooting and maintaining television broadcast equipment.
• Knowledge of IT and broadcast systems operation, maintenance, and services.
• Knowledge of television transmitters preferred.
• Ability to install and maintain computer systems and network equipment.
• Proficiency in LAN cabling, system security, virus protection, and network operating systems.
• Strong multitasking skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and work under pressure.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs., climb ladders, work on elevated surfaces, pull and install wiring, and use hand and power tools.
• Available to work various hours and days including weekends, overnights, and holidays as needed.

Reporting to engineering leadership, the Broadcast System Engineer diagnoses faults and rectifies problems on nonlinear studio and field broadcast systems while supporting content ingest, editing, and production asset management. Partnering with manufacturers, product specialists, and editorial operators, the engineer minimises service disruption and maintains broadcast quality across studio facilities and field operations.

Primary Duties

• Diagnose faults and take action to rectify problems on nonlinear studio and field broadcast systems.
• Support content ingest, editing, production asset management, and interaction with other production systems.
• Collect and analyse logs where possible and pass on to the appropriate person or manufacturer.
• Configure systems and PC/Server environments to support studio facilities including cameras, sound, and distribution.
• Liaise with manufacturers in a confident and informed manner to minimise service disruption.
• Report major issues within overnight handovers to Technology and the business.
• Work with product specialists on system upgrades and ensure broken equipment is returned to manufacturers.
• Monitor levels of spares in the Support Store and maintain good working relationships with technical and editorial operators.

Skills and Qualifications

• Previous experience in a broadcast TV, radio, or multimedia environment.
• Knowledge of HDTV concepts and broadcast television programme compilation.
• Knowledge of Microsoft, Linux, and OS X operating systems.
• Knowledge of broadcast graphics, broadcast control systems such as Cerebrum, and Newsroom Control Systems.
• Experience with Avid, EVS, or other file-based editing systems.
• Experience with file-based encoding and transfer systems such as Vantage and Content Agent.
• Understanding of IT networks, LAN and fibre interconnection, and complex nonlinear editing.
• Ability to write concise handovers and communicate on a competent technical level with manufacturers and suppliers.
• Ability to work flexibly and undertake shift work including nights and weekends in accordance with service needs.

Sitting at the intersection of broadcast engineering and large-scale systems integration, the Broadcast System Engineer leads or aids the evaluation, development, design, and life-cycle support of complex video, audio, RF, and IP broadcast systems across DSS facilities. Operating across internal and external stakeholder teams, the engineer resolves interoperability issues and delivers technical reports that keep on-prem and cloud broadcast systems performing to specification.

Duties

• Lead or aid with the evaluation, development, design, operation, installation, testing, diagnosis.
• Support of video, audio, RF, baseband, IP, signal processing, transport, and transmission equipment for large-scale broadcast systems.
• Provide feedback and technical reports on the progress and status of assigned work orders to partners and staff.
• Utilise test equipment to troubleshoot, locate faults, and resolve issues, including waveform monitors and network analyzers.
• Assist with project research, operation, planning, implementation, procedural documentation, and training.
• Work directly with engineers from internal and external stakeholders and vendors to resolve interoperability and functionality issues.
• Travel to remote domestic and international sites as required and provide on-call and occasional weekend or overnight support.

Technical Qualifications

• Highly proficient in spoken and written English.
• Experience working in live broadcast production environments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of video backhaul and distribution and ability to troubleshoot audio and video issues over IP networks.
• Comprehensive knowledge of both SMPTE and EBU standards.
• Knowledge of video encoding, assorted CODECs, and experience managing video and audio routing switcher hardware.
• Understanding of A/V signal flows, network topology, and the OSI Model.
• Proficiency with Mac, Windows, and Linux/Unix operating systems.
• Proficiency with Wireshark or other packet analyzers.
• Programming and scripting experience is highly desirable.

A key member of the Network Engineering team, the Senior Broadcast Systems Engineer plans, designs, and leads the implementation and maintenance of satellite facilities, redundant encoder networks, and MPEG compression systems as directed by the Director of Network Engineering. Collaborating across studio, NOC, media ingest, and uplink/downlink facilities, the engineer enables uninterrupted network distribution and provides 24/7 on-call response to emergency off-air situations.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and construct new engineering projects as directed by the Director of Network Engineering.
• Coordinate with the Director of Network Engineering on project status and deliver required reports in a timely manner.
• Maintain and repair all technical equipment in Studio, Network Operations Center, Media Ingest, and Uplink/Downlink facilities including HVAC, UPS, and generators.
• Lead technical engineering, implementation, and maintenance of satellite facilities for network uplink and downlink.
• Perform surveys of satellite facilities and provide recommendations and training for optimal operation.
• Design and manage multiple network feeds for satellite distribution and redundant encoder networks.
• Perform implementation and maintenance of MPEG compression and multiplexing.
• Provide timely documentation of existing and new systems to be implemented.
• Respond to emergency network off-air situations, equipment issues, and transmitter issues on a 24/7 on-call basis.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or comparable experience and education.
• 5 years of prior experience in broadcast systems engineering.
• Proficiency in DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards and operation.
• Proficiency in satellite operations including link margin, Eb/N0, output power, and heating.
• Proficiency in remote uplink operations, MPEG compression systems, and network operations.
• Extensive knowledge of baseband audio and video, digital audio and video, IP networking systems, electrical power systems (AC and DC), and Telco systems.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with highly developed organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Must have extensive range in lifting and carrying and be able to remove and install technical equipment.

Reliable on-air transmission and technical compliance depend on the Broadcast System Engineer, who maintains equipment standards, manages incident records, and proactively diagnoses faults across supported broadcast systems. Based within a shift-based operations environment and reporting to the Shift Lead Engineer, the role directly supports continuous broadcast delivery by liaising with third parties and responding to customer incidents.

Accountabilities

• Ensure performance specifications are met and maintain the technical standards and parameters of equipment and systems within their care.
• Prioritise work and seek guidance from the Shift Lead Engineer during demanding times.
• Maintain comprehensive records and logs of work done using the incident management tool, on the installation, modification, and repair of systems following appropriate change control.
• Carry out routine maintenance work as defined and agreed with the Shift Lead Engineer.
• Critically assess technical quality and performance, extracting and analysing system logs or escalating to Shift Lead Engineers where necessary.
• Line up and prepare outside sources for transmission and record feeds.
• Liaise with third parties over contribution issues and live or amended deliveries, ensuring agreed media delivery format is adhered to.
• Respond to customer incidents and proactively diagnose and resolve issues with supported systems.

Background and Experience

• Degree in a technical related subject or equivalent experience in the field.
• Knowledge and experience of Windows and Linux operating systems.
• Knowledge of databases including Microsoft SQL Server.
• Knowledge of networking technologies and broadcast video formats, protocols, and encoding standards.
• Ability to use and update formalised knowledge management systems.
• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively with different levels and audiences.
• Ability to organise and prioritise work ensuring deadlines are met.