What does a broadcast engineer do?
A broadcast engineer specializes in handling and maintaining broadcasting equipment. Their responsibilities include performing installations and adjustments, setting-up video and audio equipment, troubleshooting problems, performing repairs, and recommending upgrades as necessary. They may also develop strategies to optimize operations, establish guidelines, and provide technical support to staff, educating them on how to operate machines effectively. Moreover, a broadcast engineer must perform regular maintenance checks and enforce safety policies to ensure a smooth workflow and safe work environment for everyone.
Broadcast engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real broadcast engineer resumes:
- Manage on-air logs, automation playlists and server-base computer systems.
- Design networking for IP base broadcast systems for radio and television engineer systems.
- Direct studio and professional ISDN vocal sessions.
- Install, and maintain multiple FM broadcast radio remote systems.
- Perform system upgrades to the existing PBX at the San Ramon site.
- Assist in on location of live NFL broadcasts as well as I.T.
- Job end due to resession.Skills UsedKnowledge of pbx/key, acd and voip systems.
- Utilize leading-industry equipment for audio compression & transmission over ISDN and phone lines.
- Respond to BOC trouble calls and effectively troubleshoot, diagnose and resolve equipment issues.
- Provide internet connectivity at remote locations, and maintain the website on a daily basis.
- Monitor and preview playlists to ensure that all assets are ready for broadcast as scheduled.
- Install and maintain the MPEG and VBI insertion network elements locate at broadcasters and MSOs.
- Provide support setting up and maintaining PC compatible computers from office work to control and automation.
- Provide leadership of the transition and hands on experience when station upgrade from SD to HD.
- Implement routine preventative maintenance programs, including software and hardware upgrades on the HD mobile units.
Broadcast engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 7% of Broadcast Engineers are proficient in Transmitters, Troubleshoot, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Computer skills, and Manual dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Broadcast Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Transmitters, 7%
Maintain proper procedures to reduce injury or death when reducing power or shutting down the high voltage radio transmitters for service.
- Troubleshoot, 6%
Managed Equipment for LIVE Sports Broadcast Mixed Live Audio for Time Warner Cable SN Productions Troubleshoot Problems on the fly
- Technical Support, 6%
Provide technical support to broadcast facilities in repair, maintenance, installation and modification of technical broadcasting equipment.
- RF, 6%
Maintained Wireless Microphones, RF over Fiber Antenna infrastructure as well as Frequency coordination for both Live Show and Corporate Usage.
- IP, 5%
Supported in Integration of Thomson IP MUX - assisted in installations of cables, routers, encoders, multiplexers and switches.
- Audio Equipment, 5%
Operated mixing boards, station automation Software, telos, and other radio and audio equipment during live broadcasts.
"transmitters," "troubleshoot," and "technical support" are among the most common skills that broadcast engineers use at work. You can find even more broadcast engineer responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a broadcast 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, a broadcast engineer resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "manage all digital hd broadcast automation systems, communication equipment, production switchers, and rf satellite linking. "
Computer skills. Many broadcast engineer duties rely on computer skills. "technicians use computer systems to program equipment and edit audio and video recordings.," so a broadcast engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways broadcast engineer responsibilities rely on computer skills: "design, implement and maintain it with nas, as well as other computer video and audio equipment"
Manual dexterity. This is an important skill for broadcast engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how broadcast 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 a broadcast engineer: "operated four robotic cameras for primetime news broadcasts as well as manual operation and handheld camera for fast-paced daily talk show. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain broadcast engineer responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a broadcast engineer rely on this skill, as "technicians need to recognize equipment problems and propose possible solutions to them." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what broadcast engineers do: "resolved functionality issues with sony and jvc professional video equipment and performed routine maintenance to ensure consistent, reliable transmission quality. "
The three companies that hire the most broadcast engineers are:
- Accenture64 broadcast engineers jobs
- Nexstar Media Group13 broadcast engineers jobs
- Sinclair Broadcast Group12 broadcast engineers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable broadcast engineer resume templates
Build a professional broadcast engineer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your broadcast engineer resume.
Compare different broadcast engineers
Broadcast engineer vs. Dish technician
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, broadcast engineer responsibilities require skills like "transmitters," "troubleshoot," "technical support," and "rf." Meanwhile a typical dish technician has skills in areas such as "customer service," "customers homes," "installation process," and "cooking equipment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that dish technicians earn slightly differ from broadcast engineers. In particular, dish technicians are 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a broadcast engineer. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Broadcast engineer vs. Mix technician
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, broadcast engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "transmitters," "troubleshoot," "technical support," and "rf." Meanwhile, a mix technician has duties that require skills in areas such as "gmp," "hand tools," "lot numbers," and "ppe." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Mix technicians earn similar levels of education than broadcast engineers in general. They're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Broadcast engineer vs. Television technician
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, broadcast engineers are more likely to have skills like "transmitters," "technical support," "rf," and "ip." But a television technician is more likely to have skills like "samsung," "professional customer service," "in-home," and "electronic circuits."
When it comes to education, television technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to broadcast engineers. In fact, they're 2.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Broadcast engineer vs. Signal technician
Types of broadcast engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
