Broadcast - Assistant Chief Engineer

Description

The company is WGAL, an NBC affiliate owned by the company Television, serving the Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, PA market.

The Assistant Chief Engineer helps lead a technical team that ranges from studio operators to IT and RF specialists. The work covers planning, managing, documenting and completing assignments in a live broadcast environment, including the equipment itself and both local and corporate-led system deployments and upgrades.

The role also involves monitoring multiple air channels, keeping the station compliant with regulations, and checking the quality of the on-air product.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Engineering and Technical Operations teams and give them day-to-day direction.
• Oversee the reliability, operation and upkeep of studio, field, transmission and production equipment across several sites.
• Set daily priorities, explain expectations, and guide technical staff through troubleshooting, maintenance and projects.
• Diagnose and fix broadcast problems, from RF transmission and signal distribution down to individual components.
• Keep transmitters, satellite antennas, microwave and RF systems, signal routing and distribution, and related infrastructure in working order.
• Make sure broadcast IT systems, networks and infrastructure are secure, reliable and well maintained.
• Train and coach staff on equipment use, maintenance procedures, safety rules, FCC regulations and broadcast standards.
• Help the Chief Engineer with staff development, performance management, department training and long-term technical planning.
• Lead the Technical Department when the Chief Engineer is away.
• Help plan and carry out capital projects, system upgrades, equipment installs and facility improvements.
• Work with the Operations Manager to build schedules that meet the needs of Master Control, Production, Technical and other operations.
• Make sure technical staff have the tools, test gear, supplies, documentation and information they need to do their jobs.
• Keep the station compliant with applicable FCC rules, licensing requirements, safety standards and company policies.
• Build and maintain good working relationships with local vendors, contractors and service providers.
• Support facility and physical-plant management across multiple locations.
• Help build a team that works together, takes ownership, puts service first and prioritises safety.

Requirements

• Be available for a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays and 24-hour emergency response.
• At least 5 years of experience in television broadcast operations or maintenance.
• Proven technical leadership or supervision, including assigning work, coaching people and leading technical projects.
• A solid grasp of the full broadcast signal chain, from RF transmission and studio production through routing, distribution and monitoring.
• Hands-on experience diagnosing, troubleshooting and repairing broadcast and production equipment at the system, board and component level.
• Working knowledge of transmitters, antennas, satellite systems, signal-routing equipment, studio systems, test equipment and IP-based broadcast technology.
• Knowledge of FCC technical rules, licensing, recordkeeping and broadcast compliance.
• Experience with broadcast IT, networking, network security and infrastructure support.
• Ability to read technical drawings, signal-flow diagrams, schematics, equipment manuals and system documentation. AutoCAD experience is a plus.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities and make sound technical calls under time pressure or in high-stress situations.
• A current driver's license.
• Higher education in a technology field, a relevant SBE certification, or related military experience will be considered.

Conditions

The role requires a flexible schedule with evenings, weekends, holidays and 24-hour emergency response.

The company is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage.
• 401(k) with company matching.
• Emotional wellness support.
• Paid time off.
• Paid parental leave.
• LGBTQ+ health services.
• Additional benefits aimed at meeting your and your family's needs, with coverage that extends to your spouse, partner or dependents.