Senior Field Engineer

Weigel Broadcasting Co. is a family-owned media company based in Chicago, Illinois. The company owns and operates national television networks, as well as local broadcast stations throughout the country. Weigel is the leader in the multicast television network space with MeTV, Memorable Entertainment Television, the number-one rated multicast network, as well as the Movies! Network in cooperation with the Fox Television Stations, the Catchy Comedy Network, the H&I - Heroes & Icons Network, the Start TV Network and the Dabl Network in association with the CBS Television Stations, the Story Television Network and the MeTV Toons Network. Weigel produces the original network TV programs Toon In With Me, Svengoolie and Collector's Call. Weigel's local stations include CBS, ABC, The CW, MyNet, Telemundo and Univision network affiliates, offering a mix of entertainment programing, local news and professional and college sports broadcasts. Weigel and its affiliate companies broadcast network and independent television stations serving New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Houston, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Orlando, Cleveland, Portland, St. Louis, Nashville, Salt Lake City, Hartford, Milwaukee, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Des Moines, Green Bay, South Bend, Evansville and Rockford. Weigel is the creator of the nationally syndicated music format MeTV FM. For more information on Weigel, visit: https://www.weigelbroadcasting.com/.

Senior Field Engineer

General Job Description:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Field Engineer to provide nationwide engineering support for our O&O stations. As a Senior Field Engineer, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation and optimal performance of TV broadcast systems across the country. Reporting to the Head of Field Services, this position requires a diverse skill set encompassing IT networking, RF expertise, signal distribution, project management, and a deep understanding of broadcast TV operations.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Nationwide Engineering Support: Provide technical support and troubleshooting for O&O stations across the country, ensuring efficient and uninterrupted broadcasting operations.
• IT Networking: Design, configure, and maintain robust and secure IT networks for TV stations, including LAN, WAN, VPN, and internet connectivity. Collaborate with internal and external teams to ensure seamless integration of broadcast systems with IT infrastructure.
• RF Expertise: Conduct comprehensive RF system analysis, including transmitter and antenna performance evaluations. Troubleshoot RF-related issues and optimize signal quality and coverage for TV stations and P2P microwave links.
• Project Management: Lead engineering projects for system installations, upgrades, and relocations. Develop project plans, define timelines, allocate resources, and oversee project execution to ensure timely completion within budgetary constraints.
• Broadcast TV Operations: Possess a deep understanding of broadcast TV operations, including master control systems, video servers, automation systems, and signal distribution. Provide technical guidance to station staff, ensuring adherence to industry standards and best practices.
• Equipment Maintenance and Upgrades: Conduct regular maintenance and performance evaluations of broadcast equipment. Identify opportunities for upgrades and implement enhancements to improve system reliability, efficiency, and distribution quality.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate documentation of engineering activities, including system configurations, network diagrams, troubleshooting procedures, and project status reports. Prepare and deliver technical reports to stakeholders.
• Monitoring Services: Implement and maintain monitoring systems for TV broadcast equipment and infrastructure using SNMP and other relevant protocols. Configure network monitoring tools to proactively detect and resolve issues, ensure optimal performance, and minimize downtime. Monitor system health, network bandwidth, device statuses, and other key performance indicators. Generate alerts and notifications to promptly address any abnormalities and take necessary corrective actions. Collaborate with NOC teams and station staff to address and resolve monitoring-related incidents and optimize overall system performance.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Broadcast Engineering, or a related field. Equivalent work experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in TV broadcast engineering, with a focus on IT networking, RF systems, and project management.
• In-depth knowledge of IT networking principles, protocols, and technologies, including LAN, WAN, TCP/IP, VLANs, VPNs, and firewalls.
• Proven experience with modern transport protocols such as SRT, UDP, RTP, RIST, DASH, and others.
• Strong expertise in RF systems, including transmitters, antennas, signal propagation, and spectrum analysis.
• Proven experience in managing and executing complex engineering projects within schedule and budgetary constraints.
• Comprehensive understanding of broadcast TV operations, including master control systems, video servers, automation systems, and signal distribution.
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations, such as ATSC, FCC guidelines, and SMPTE standards.
• 24/7 On-Call Availability and Willingness to Travel: The Senior Field Engineer must be available for on-call support on a 24/7 basis, rotating with others in the department, to address urgent technical issues and provide timely resolutions. This position may require availability during non-business hours, weekends, and holidays to ensure uninterrupted broadcasting operations. Additionally, the Senior Field Engineer should be willing to travel extensively, often at short notice, to various TV station locations nationwide. Travel may include site visits, project installations, equipment upgrades, and emergency response. A flexible schedule, adaptability to changing priorities, and a willingness to travel are essential for this role.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with internal teams, station staff, and external vendors.
• Proficiency in using engineering tools and software for network monitoring, RF analysis, project management, and documentation.
• Excellent Multitasking Skills: The Senior Field Engineer must possess exceptional multitasking abilities to efficiently handle multiple projects, tasks, and priorities simultaneously. This role often involves managing various engineering projects, responding to urgent air affecting issues, and conducting routine maintenance activities concurrently. The ability to prioritize effectively, manage time efficiently, and switch between tasks seamlessly is crucial to meet deadlines, resolve issues promptly, and ensure smooth operations across multiple TV stations nationwide. Strong organizational and time management skills are essential for success in this role.

Our Perks & Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance package

Long Term Disability Insurance

HSA Plan

401k with Company Match

Vacation/PTO/Sick/Paid Holidays

Paid Qualified-FMLA Leave

Tax-free Transit

Discounted Parking Access

Convenient access to highways and public transportation

One block from the aptly named Restaurant Row

Weigel Broadcasting Co. maintains an Equal Employment Opportunity Policy for all applicants and employees. We give fair consideration to all qualified persons and afford all our employees opportunities for advancement according to their individual abilities, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age or sex, or other protected categories. No opportunities for promotion, transfer or any other benefit of employment will be diminished through discriminatory practices. Employees or prospective employees have the right to notify an appropriate local, state or Federal agency if they believe they have been discriminated against.

Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $85,000-125,000 annually. This role is also eligible for various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.