What does an audio/video engineer do?
An audio/visual (AV) engineer is someone who plays a major role in setting up, configuring, troubleshooting, and maintaining systems such as cameras, lighting, control systems for broadcast microphones, and communications. It is their responsibility to choose, install, implement, and configure whether simple and complex AV technologies compatibility with the broadcasting needs of the organization. They ensure that AV hardware and software meet the needs of the organization, check cable and wiring, and be the operating master of AV systems during events.
Audio/video engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real audio/video engineer resumes:
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Pre-Wire and retrofit wires and equipment.
- Work with both Vizrt and Photoshop to make 3-D graphics.
- Lead engineer for all custom Telepresence room solution, hard ware and software.
- Convert recordings from analog or hard digital media CD and MD to digital files.
- Take audio given and process it using your DAW (ProTools knowledge is preferred).
- Add, configure and cable all new hardware that are to be add to the Headend.
- Enable new channels to flow through the existing network by configuring ports on switches and routers.
- Maintain, operate, and setup complete video and audio teleconferencing using T1 line and IP addresses.
- Provide both live/studio audio and video engineering, mixing and mastering, utilizing both digital and analog equipment.
- Relocate desktop Tandberg's as new rooms where bring online to include running patch cords to the server.
- Research, circuit design and software development in the field of digital RF signal transmission as master's thesis.
- Install codecs, cameras, monitors and microphones into new conference rooms and update existing rooms with newer equipment.
- Provide FOH mixing for art shows, touring artists, festivals, and a wide variety of local acts.
- Create original content using flash, photoshop and adobe premier for display on plasma screens in trade show booths.
Audio/video engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Audio/Video Engineers are proficient in Crestron, Polycom, and IP. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Manual dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Audio/Video Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Crestron, 9%
Installed large scale Crestron controlled video conference rooms, AV only rooms and many auditoriums and theaters who require similar installations.
- Polycom, 8%
Experience installing, operating and troubleshooting PolyCom and Cisco Video-Teleconferencing systems.
- IP, 7%
Configured and routed IP based Ethernet and fiber optic networks for digital signal distribution across distances of several miles.
- Autocad, 7%
Designed room layouts, schematics, elevation drawings, and wiring schematics using AutoCAD LT 2006 and Vidcad.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Configure and troubleshoot Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) 5505 and L3 Talon Encryption Cards.
- System Design, 6%
Conduct system designs and new equipment installations specified by requirements by customers.
Most audio/video engineers use their skills in "crestron," "polycom," and "ip" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential audio/video engineer responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for an audio/video engineer to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "technicians need to communicate with supervisors and coworkers to ensure that clients’ needs are met and that equipment is set up properly before broadcasts, live performances, and presentations." Additionally, an audio/video engineer resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "applied proper rf propagation and antenna theory to install and operate multi-band uhf microphone and multi-channel communication systems at live events. "
Computer skills. Another essential skill to perform audio/video engineer duties is computer skills. Audio/video engineers responsibilities require that "technicians use computer systems to program equipment and edit audio and video recordings." Audio/video engineers also use computer skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "installed mac based computers for sound and multimedia as well as maintained and troubleshot church computer network. "
Manual dexterity. This is an important skill for audio/video engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how audio/video engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "some technicians set up audio and video equipment and cables, a job that requires a steady hand and good hand-eye coordination." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an audio/video engineer: "coordinate and play audio tracks and effects manually in appropriate time for events and performances. ".
Problem-solving skills. audio/video engineer responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "technicians need to recognize equipment problems and propose possible solutions to them." This resume example shows what audio/video engineers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "designed all new digital signage solutions including enclosures, video walls and kiosk type displays"
The three companies that hire the most audio/video engineers are:
- Bridges SI5 audio/video engineers jobs
- Colliers International4 audio/video engineers jobs
- avworkshop
2 audio/video engineers jobs
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Compare different audio/video engineers
Audio/video engineer vs. Master control supervisor
A Master Control Operator executes and supervises the quality and accuracy of the transmission of radio and television programs. They also record and document various video feeds.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, audio/video engineer responsibilities require skills like "crestron," "polycom," "ip," and "autocad." Meanwhile a typical master control supervisor has skills in areas such as "automation systems," "ingest," "on-air quality," and "master control operators." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, master control supervisors reach similar levels of education than audio/video engineers. Master control supervisors are 1.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Audio/video engineer vs. Master control operator
A remote broadcast technician is responsible for setting up electronic equipment that controls signal strength, audio quality, and video quality. As a remote broadcast technician, you will operate equipment for streaming live events, control audio equipment to ensure sound quality, and maintain standard sound level during television and radio broadcasts. In addition, you will be responsible for operating transmitters that broadcast both TV and radio programs. Other duties include troubleshooting transmission problems, working closely with engineers to test and integrate new systems, and editing video and audio recordings using computer software.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real audio/video engineer resumes. While audio/video engineer responsibilities can utilize skills like "crestron," "polycom," "ip," and "autocad," master control operators use skills like "excellent computer," "transmitters," "fcc," and "ingest."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Master control operators tend to reach lower levels of education than audio/video engineers. In fact, they're 5.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for audio/video engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Galen Duree
Head of the Department of Physics and Optical Engineering and Professor, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Audio/video engineer vs. Remote broadcast technician
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an audio/video engineer is likely to be skilled in "crestron," "polycom," "autocad," and "system design," while a typical remote broadcast technician is skilled in "fm," "audio equipment," "network printers," and "remote broadcasts."
Remote broadcast technicians typically earn lower educational levels compared to audio/video engineers. Specifically, they're 6.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Audio/video engineer vs. Dish technician
Even though a few skill sets overlap between audio/video engineers and dish technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an audio/video engineer might have more use for skills like "crestron," "polycom," "ip," and "autocad." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of dish technicians require skills like "customer service," "customers homes," "installation process," and "cooking equipment. "
In general, dish technicians hold lower degree levels compared to audio/video engineers. Dish technicians are 7.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of audio/video engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
