Broadcast Engineer

Position details:

Title: Broadcast & IT Field Engineer

Location: Washington, DC 20001

Duration: 6 months contract with high possibility of conversion

Client: Entertainment Client

Additional Background Checks: Social Media Check (CNN), MVR Check

What We Do/Project

• The Broadcast & IT Field Engineer is tasked with timely and professional support in a fast paced 24x7x365 field newsgathering/production environment. Individuals in this job have demonstrated expert-level skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary to meet the full range of broadcast production field engineering responsibilities.
• BIT Field Engineers are responsible for planning and executing the engineering aspects for projects, live productions, and remotes as assigned to Domestic Field Engineering. He or she will occasionally assume a lead role for developing technology plans, organizing resources, providing technical oversight and guidance to staff, and ensuring suitable technical approaches are implemented on small remotes. BIT Field Engineers are responsible for setting up and operating Fiber/IP/Satellite transmission links, video/audio routing, remote/local communications, as well as performing quality control, maintenance and repair of all television remote broadcast and receiving equipment. He or she will also perform general hardware and software support for local computing equipment such as laptops, printers, and connectivity equipment on site.
• BIT Field Engineers participate on technology design, installation, and integration projects with complex, leading-edge technology in an increasingly broadcast IP and IT centric environment. This includes broadcast and server-based systems, data networking (e.g., routers, switches) and other comparable equipment.

Job Responsibilities / Typical Day in the Role

• This position requires proficient electronics and IT support skills.
• Travel (typically Domestic, but occasionally international) is required, often with short notice and the ability to physically lift and move equipment weighing 50 pounds or more is necessary.
• Willingness to perform varied tasks when required on assignment to support the production.
• Ability to adapt to rapidly changing situations frequently encountered in field remote environments.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills (verbal, written) required.
• BIT level engineers have demonstrated competency in a wide variety of technology and business contexts.
• Demonstrated expertise in analyzing and solving complex technical problems and be able work independently and autonomously in a team-based environment is a must.
• Ability to manage workload and workflow for a group of peers with assistance from management is essential.
• This position will primarily provide field support but will also spend time in-house or assisting Broadcast and IT teams with project and maintenance work when not otherwise deployed in field.

Must Have Skills / Requirements

1) 4 or more years of experience in television, multimedia content, IT client service or broadcast maintenance capacity, with a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and repair broadcast and computer equipment at the board level.

a. Live production experience

2) Ability to work under pressure

a. Will be working with some demanding partners due to supporting the news industry; Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomatic thinking.

3) Strategic Thinking and Resourcefulness

a. Highly motivated individuals who are prepared. Ability to ask questions when needed.

Self-starters who can find work to be done to assist the wider team (partnership skills).

Nice to Have Skills / Preferred Requirements

• Working knowledge of emerging technologies including IP video transport.
• Experience working with technology companies such as Sony, Harmonic, Evertz, etc.
• Project team and project implementation experience
• IT/Network certifications
• Formal ITSM training/certifications.
• Multilingual capabilities
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and MS Project

Soft Skills:

• Experienced problem solver who is able to perform well in a fast-paced environment.

Technology Requirements:

• Strong operational skills on a broad range of television remote broadcast and production equipment such as: SNG satellite uplink/downlink equipment, microwave, video encoding, ENG/Studio cameras and support equipment, A/V routers and infrastructure, video switchers, audio mixers, media decks, NLE edit systems and storage devices, fiber optic links, signal processing and transcoding devices, production communications (intercom) and computer systems/ IT networks architecture.
• Proficiency with MS Office Applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, Visio, etc.)
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer and data networking hardware and applications to ensure complete technical support in the field.

Education / Certifications

• 4 year technical degree, preferably electronics (or equivalent education/experience/training)

Interview Process / Next Steps

• 1st round panel interview with VP Field Engineering & Content Transmission and Director, Global Field Engineering (45-mins)
• 2nd round panel with Technical Team (technical interview – 1-1.5 hours)
• Possible 3rd round on-site interview (1-hour tour).

Additional Notes

• Candidates will need ability to clear the US Government’s Security Clearance Checks for access to work sites (e.g. White House, Pentagon, etc.)
• Last-minute Travel is required for this position.
• Sourcing in DC - 820 First Street (CNN office).
• Role is fully on-site.