What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Engineering position at WOWK-TV?
Inclusive innovator and results-driven problem solver: these are the qualities we're looking for in our next Director of Engineering. If you're ready to build on the legacy of Utah's FIRST television station - and collaborate with the team at America's largest local media company - we want to hear from you.
Reporting directly to the Vice President & General Manager, you will serve on the station's senior leadership team - a key voice in every major decision, working side-by-side with every department.
Our Salt Lake City media group (KTVX, KUCW, ABC4.COM and News4Utah ) operates in the nation's 27th-largest market and is seeking a technology-forward leader to head our engineering team as we continue our tradition of industry FIRSTS. Our media operation is pushing the envelope in creating new workflows and technology efficiencies - you will help lead us into the future, building on the foundation we have established. We aren't looking for traditional ways to produce content - we are looking for innovation as we propel our team into the future.
As Director of Engineering, you will set the technical vision for a modern, multi-platform media operation - driving innovation across broadcast, streaming, and digital. You will architect forward-looking workflows for our content teams, foster a culture where engineers grow and thrive, and lead from our Salt Lake facility, home to one of the company's largest traffic hubs supporting more than 100 stations nationwide. You will also represent our station group with DTV Utah, the first-of-its-kind cooperative created in 1998, through which eight of Utah's major broadcasters transmit from the state-of-the-art facility atop Farnsworth Peak.
This is not a desk job. You'll be in the control room or our Stream Center during breaking news and in the newsroom shaping workflows -you'll lead from the front when it matters most.
You will do all of this in one of the fastest-growing regions in the country - beautiful Salt Lake City. Skiing, hiking, camping, city living: it's all here. You will lead from a modern 80-thousand square foot facility, surrounded by an experienced leadership team invested in your success. Are you ready to lead Utah's First Television station into its next era of innovation? Apply today.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own the station's multi-year technology roadmap - set the strategy for station technical systems, from IP-based broadcast infrastructure to cloud and NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) initiatives.
- Partner with news and content teams to design modern, efficient workflows across linear, streaming, and digital platforms.
- Lead the maintenance engineering and IT team - directing repairs, maintenance, and new systems installations.
- Oversee transmitter and remote sites, ensuring reliability and performance.
- Own capital planning: create and manage the capital budget and technical projects, assigning project champions.
- Champion IT security best practices across all platforms, keeping current with company and industry standards.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and make strategic recommendations on their application.
- Collaborate directly with department leaders to support station initiatives; ensure FCC compliance.
REQUIREMENTS:
- A forward-looking mindset: you embrace innovation, adopt innovative technologies, and inspire your team to do the same.
- Deep, hands-on understanding of equipment, systems, and workflow dynamics in a modern, IP-driven broadcast facility. This is not an office job.
- Experience with systems from providers such as vMix, OBS, Ross, Florical, Vinten, Clear-Com, Bitcentral, Evertz, Cobalt, ENPS, and others - plus strong practical knowledge of computer networking and cybersecurity best practices.
- Minimum five years of supervisory experience in engineering and technology within broadcast and/or production operations.
- Proven ability to manage costs, including labor and operating expenses
COMPLEXITY:
Ability to interface well with other departments. Excellent leadership and communication skills. Ability to multitask under pressure and prioritize and pivot as needed. Good skills in troubleshooting. Ability to teach others to grow in this area. Must have good organizational skills. Emphasis on employee development and growth.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Ability to carry heavy equipment at times (20-50 lbs.). Position will require travel to high elevation mountain-top environments on occasion where temperatures and climate may vary. There are periods of strenuous activity for this position. Candidate must be able to work in these conditions.
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SCAM ALERT:
Please be aware candidates may be at risk of being targeted by scammers seeking personal data or money. Recruiters with Nexstar Media Group and its local stations will only contact you through official job boards, LinkedIn, or email with Nexstar.tv domain or official station email addresses (example:@wreg.com). Be cautious of any outreach claiming to be from Nexstar or its recruiters via any other messaging platforms or personal email addresses. We will not contact you using a @gmail email address. If you are unsure about the authenticity of a job inquiry or offer, email us at corporaterecruiters@nexstar.tv.