Broadcasting Engineer

Also known as:

Engineer, Broadcasting
Radio Broadcasting Engineer
Television Broadcasting Engineer
TV Broadcasting Engineer

Introduction

Broadcasting engineers develop, maintain and support the equipment used to make television and radio broadcasts. They install and modify different broadcasting systems, developing and supporting the latest technologies. Broadcasting relies on sophisticated equipment to produce television and radio programmes, and transmit them to the outside world.

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Work Activities

Broadcasting engineers who work in television are responsible for the audio and video equipment used for studio recordings, and for network and outside broadcasts.

In a large television company, studio engineers are likely to provide support to different departments, including news, broadcast and production. Some broadcasting engineers are responsible for the quality of signals fed to and received from a number of networks.

Some broadcasting engineers work on location with outside broadcasts, or at transmitting stations, which can be in remote areas.

Engineers also support new technologies, for example digital text services and satellite operations that are replacing traditional text-based information services.

There are broadcasting engineers involved in research and development, helping to create and develop new ideas. For example, they have developed digital terrestrial television and online Internet services.

Engineers in radio broadcasting are responsible for the maintenance and testing of advanced control and switching systems. They use both analogue and digital coding equipment.

Broadcasting engineers sometimes work in cramped or overcrowded conditions. In outside broadcasts, they may work in bad weather or isolated locations. They may have to work away from home for periods of time.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

To be a broadcasting engineer, you must be interested in working on a wide range of advanced technological equipment. A genuine interest in this work is essential because competition for jobs is fierce and successful applicants tend to have relevant work experience.

You must be able to work to very tight deadlines; you need to be able to think quickly and use your initiative and improvise if things go wrong.

You must also have strong team skills to work well with others as small teams often work on programmes. You should also be able to work neatly and have a high level of safety awareness.

Stamina and fitness are important.

It is essential that broadcasting engineers keep up to date with advances in technology in this fast changing area.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries for broadcasting engineers vary.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Broadcasting engineers earn in the range of £25,000 - £30,000 a year, rising to £35,000 - £45,000. Higher earners can make around £55,000 a year.

Broadcasting engineers often work long, irregular hours, including early starts, late finishes, weekends and public holidays. Some work on a freelance basis.

Employers are the BBC and independent television and radio companies.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

A background as a technician in electronics or sound production is useful.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Engineering) could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

• 14% of people in occupations such as broadcasting engineer are self-employed.
• 4% work part-time.
• 13% have flexible hours.

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