Broadcast engineer job

Behind the scenes in television, there is a big technical workforce that is responsible for assuring the production and quality of broadcasts. The broadcast engineer serves as the leader of this group.

You will be working with hardware and broadcast systems that are used in radio, television, and new media if you choose to pursue a career as a broadcast engineer. It is your responsibility to ensure that the programs are aired on time and at the best possible standard. You will be responsible for performing updates and fixes in addition to running and maintaining the systems.

Engineers who work in broadcasting are required to operate in a wide range of settings. They could work in the studio, on the set, in post-production, or be engaged in outdoor broadcasts, in which sound and pictures are sent live back to a studio or directly to the network.

You will collaborate with a diverse group of individuals, such as producers, studio managers, presenters, and other members of the technical crew.

Responsibilities

The specifics of the job change depending on where you are located and whether or not you are based in television, radio, or new media, but some examples of what you could be expected to do are as follows:

ensuring that specialized equipment for video creation, broadcasting, satellite transmission, and interactive media is kept in working order

establishing and maintaining audiovisual linkages between the various units located in their respective locations

putting up brand new infrastructure and analyzing its performance

the installation of editing equipment and management of this equipment in post-production suites

identifying and fixing any technical issues that may exist on equipment and systems

minimizing the amount of time that customers are without service in the event that critical equipment breaks by rapidly finding and putting into action alternate service delivery mechanisms

conducting exterior broadcasts, the process of setting up and running equipment as well as transmission lines

developing and putting in place individualized audiovisual circuitry

developing and producing different kinds of equipment and systems

fostering an understanding of, and engaging in, the most effective health and safety practices for the workplace

comprehending and carrying out the demands, directives, and directions of the producers, directors, and other colleagues

maintaining productive lines of communication with one's fellow employees and team members

establishing and maintaining a network of connections, doing research into new methods and systems, and staying current with the industry and developments in technology are all important aspects of staying current.

Salary

There isn't a standard starting salary for broadcast engineers; nonetheless, it might be anything from £18,000 and £20,000.

Earning potential might be lower for those who are participating in early training programs, however this varies from business to employer. As an example, the beginning wage range for the BBC Engineering Traineeship is between £20,000 and £29,000. Schemes often provide additional perks, such as the opportunity to get a degree while you are being trained.

Engineers with years of experience in broadcasting may make anything from £30,000 to £60,000 per year, with the higher end of the pay scale being held for individuals who work in senior leadership positions for big broadcasting businesses.

There is a possibility that the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematographic and Theatre Union (BECTU) may be able to provide information on the day rates for freelance broadcast engineers.

The monetary amounts listed are just meant to serve as a reference point.

Time spent working

Because you will be working shifts, it is normal for you to be required to work on the weekends, in the evenings, and at night. Working long hours may be physically and mentally taxing. It's possible that you'll have to put in lengthy shifts with little notice, especially if you want to work in rolling news channels or other live programs.

What may be anticipated

Because studio space is reserved in advance, you have to ensure that you are available to accommodate the booking. In the event that a broadcast has problems of a technical or operational nature, it is required of you to continue working until the task is completed. On a consistent basis, working more hours is unavoidable.

Your place of work may range from the relative ease of a studio to the arduous circumstances of an outdoor site. You run the risk of being stationed in an unfamiliar country and having to perform your duties in challenging environments on occasion.

Because you will be expected to solve technical issues in the most timely and effective manner possible, the atmosphere at your place of employment may seem pressurized at times.

As the industry as a whole adopts new technologies, the nature of the work itself is shifting. This is resulting in the simplification of traditional broadcast hardware in certain areas (for example, the use of lighter cameras in documentary making and the utilization of WiFi and internet technologies), as well as the combination of IT skills with more conventional engineering skills.

You will need to be very organized, proficient in your own self-management and promotion, capable of using a variety of equipment, up to date in your knowledge, and flexible with location if you want to be successful in finding freelance employment.

Breaks in one's career may be feasible, however the policies of each individual business vary. Before you are allowed to take a break in your professional life at certain firms, they need you to have worked there for a certain amount of time beforehand.

The majority of places in the UK have access to both television and radio channels. Employment opportunities with independent production businesses as well as post-production facilities are concentrated in London and the surrounding South East region. Major employment hubs may be found in major cities like London, Birmingham, and Salford, amongst others.

Location work and outside broadcasts (OBs) sometimes require employees to be away from home on a consistent basis or for quite extended periods of time. In certain cases, this may even include working in a foreign country.

Qualifications

The majority of people who join the field of broadcast engineering do so as trainees on new entrant trainee programmes. These schemes are operated by a variety of broadcasting businesses. In most cases, you will be required to have a degree in a field that is particularly pertinent to the program in question, such as:

engineering or technology related to broadcasting

computer science

engineering of electrical currents

Engineering of electrical circuits

physics.

If you have a degree in another field, an HND or foundation degree, or high numeracy abilities as shown by good A-levels (or equivalent) in math and/or physics, you may be eligible for entry. A keen interest in modern technology and the ability to use it effectively are other essential qualities.

If you have experience or can demonstrate a genuine passion in the job, in addition to having appropriate scientific or technology A-levels, some businesses may hire you even if you do not have a higher level of education. In situations like these, the plan could even make it possible for you to work toward earning a degree at the same time.

Apprenticeships in broadcast engineering are offered by the BBC. These apprenticeships last for three years and lead to degrees in broadcast and media systems engineering.

If you already have a job in the broadcasting industry, say as a runner, you may be able to transition into this career via one of the many internal training programmes that are available. It is also feasible to get to this level by beginning one's career as a technician and completing training on an intermittent basis.

Although postgraduate degrees are not essential, having them might make it easier for you to obtain experience in the field.

Skills

You will be required to provide proof of the following items:

familiarity with electrical engineering and the operation of various communication devices

adequate color vision and hearing capabilities

the capacity to work with diagrammatic information while also being able to use digital (and analog) theory

outstanding IT skills

the capacity to contribute effectively to group efforts

talents in identifying difficulties as well as the ability to come up with original solutions to technical issues

powerful interpersonal and communication abilities.

good attention to detail

time management abilities

flexibility

the capacity to maintain one's composure amid difficult circumstances

an approach to work that is both proactive and results-focused.

endurance as well as physical fitness.

Practice in the workplace

It is vital to have prior experience, such as job experience with a production firm or in local television or radio, before entering the industry. The most prominent broadcasters often provide interns with many chances to work each year. These are the following:

Work Experience from BBC

4Talent

Experience Gained While Working for Tiger Aspect Productions

When pursuing producers, directors, and other industry connections for work experience, you should be prepared to be persistent. Look up addresses and names of people in contact in directories such as:

Kays

KFTV

The Acquired Knowledge

Employers will care more about your expertise, insight, and experience in the sector than than how enthusiastic you are about the position, despite the fact that demonstrating your excitement is crucial.

Before submitting a request for pre-entry work experience, it is essential to make enough preparations. Reading the appropriate press will assist you in gaining a better understanding of the industry:

Broadcast

The Guardian: A Media Outlet

When you're first starting out, finding work may be a really difficult process. The ability to network effectively is critical for both breaking into a field and advancing one's career within it. Talk to as many individuals in the business as you can and make the most of whatever job experience you can to expand the number of connections you have in the field.