Broadcast Engineer I

This role serves as the operational backbone of technical production, ensuring reliability and performance of mission-critical systems during live and recorded productions. Engineers collaborate closely with production teams and senior engineering leadership to execute high-quality broadcasts, support system enhancements, and maintain alignment with industry standards and organizational goals.

The position is structured across multiple tiers, enabling progressive growth in technical depth, leadership responsibility, and system ownership. As engineers advance, they increasingly contribute to system design validation, infrastructure strategy execution, and organizational capability development, alongside senior and Chief Engineering roles.

The engineer also mentors apprentices, student workers, and staff, supporting skill development and reinforcing organizational standards. This role requires strong collaboration, adaptability under pressure, and a commitment to Liberty University’s mission and professional values.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate, troubleshoot, and maintain broadcast audio, video, and control systems in studio and field environments.
• Support production crews by ensuring systems are functional, stable, and properly configured.
• Assist with installation, configuration, and maintenance of equipment across facilities and mobile units.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance and basic system validation.
• Support signal flow verification and assist in resolving common production issues.
• Serve as Engineer in Charge (EIC) for assigned lower-risk productions under guidance.
• Contribute to accurate documentation and adherence to operational standards.
• Demonstrate strong situational awareness and ability to work in high-pressure, time-sensitive environments.
• Required to work flexible hours, including frequent nights and weekends.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Strictly adheres to Liberty University policies, representing the University in an exemplary manner.
• Works effectively as a team member, embracing and fostering LU’s Christian model and Mission - Training Champions for Christ.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides day-to-day guidance to student workers, crew, and assigned staff to support production readiness and safe, efficient operations.

Tier 1

• Provide basic guidance and support to student workers and crew under direction of senior engineering staff.
• Reinforce safe work practices, proper equipment handling, and standard operating procedures.
• Escalate issues, risks, or resource constraints to the supervisor or Engineer in Charge.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Technology, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Eligible to obtain LU-approved driver certification (valid driver's license, minimum five years of driving history, clean record, age 21+).

Tier 1

• 2+ years of relevant experience in broadcast engineering or related field.
• Foundational experience in broadcast engineering, live production, or a related technical field.
• Working knowledge of broadcast video, audio, and transmission systems.
• Basic understanding of modern broadcast infrastructure, including IP-based workflows and networked media.
• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., SMPTE, AES, SBE, IEEE, ANSI).
• Ability to interpret basic signal flow and system diagrams.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting ability in time-sensitive environments.
• Exposure to electrical systems, cabling, and low-voltage infrastructure.
• Drafting and/or CAD experience preferred.
• RF engineering fundamentals are a plus.
• Basic familiarity with scripting, automation, or software tools used in broadcast environments is a plus.

Preferred Certifications

• The following certifications and professional memberships are desirable and support career progression across all tiers:
• Professional Memberships
• Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE).
• Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE).
• Audio Engineering Society (AES).
• Broadcast Engineering Certifications (SBE)
• CBT - Certified Broadcast Technologist.
• CBNT - Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist.
• CBNE - Certified Broadcast Networking Engineer.
• CEA - Certified Audio Engineer.
• CEV - Certified Video Engineer.
• CPBE - Certified Professional Broadcast Engineer.
• IT / Networking Certifications
• CompTIA A+.
• CompTIA Network+.
• Cisco CCNA.
• Cisco CCNP.
• Microsoft role-based certifications (e.g., Azure Administrator, Azure Solutions Architect, Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator).
• Cloud / Infrastructure Certifications
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well-articulated information.

• Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.

• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work equally well with detail and abstraction.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to work with conflicting, delayed or ambiguous information.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Frequently required to travel to local and campus locations, as well as occasional out-of-town assignments.
• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork. Required to sit for extensive time during broadcasts to serve in functions essential to the production.
• Must possess remarkable auditory skills to accurately detect and interpret various sounds-such as pitch, tone, clarity, and spatial cues-to identify technical audio problems, maintain creative content quality, and communicate clearly with team members in fast-paced broadcast settings.
• Must possess exceptional visual acuity, including the ability to see fine details and accurately distinguish colors, in order to identify visual defects, maintain the creative and technical quality of video content, and carry out precise tasks such as equipment installation, signal monitoring, and system calibration.
• Often required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the buildings.
• Handle materials, climb ladders, reach overhead, kneel or stoop to conduct business.
• Regularly lift 75 or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is frequently changing. Functions of this position’s responsibility often require work after normal business hours and, in some situations, prolonged shifts. Some projects are completed in a climate-controlled office setting, while others regularly take place outdoors; in some situations, rain must be accommodated. Work from home may be encouraged or required at times.

Driving Requirements

Use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) is required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position. Proof of a valid Virginia driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance is required.

Time Type

Location

Pay Range

Compensation is determined based on factors such as qualifications, experience, education, skills, and certifications, along with University needs and external market conditions. Market benchmarks may be used, as appropriate, in combination with internal equity to ensure pay is fair and aligned with the broader compensation structure.

The position may also be eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance.

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.