Broadcast Engineer

The Job and What's Involved

Broadcast engineers use their technical expertise to ensure that television and radio programmes are transmitted at the right time and to the highest technical standard. They build and install the systems that make broadcasting possible; take signals in all kinds of formats; ensure that equipment is maintained; and identify and fix faults with minimum disruption to output.

Broadcast engineers work for broadcast, cable and satellite companies across the whole range of programmes, including news operations, studio productions, outside broadcasts and webcasts. They may work in maintenance or have a more operational role. Broadcast engineers also work for facilities houses and for equipment manufacturers.

Depending on their role, broadcast engineers may:

• Design and set up circuits, hardware and software, and broadcast systems.
• Install, test and maintain technical facilities, including studios, editing and transmission systems.
• Establish links between different units.
• Analyse and fix technical faults.
• Investigate new techniques and equipment.
• Carry out safety tests.
• Order parts, keep records and compile reports.
• Design custom-made electronic solutions for specific projects or clients.

Broadcast engineers use a range of specialised equipment, much of it computerised. They work as part of a team, liasing with and sometimes managing other engineers and technical colleagues, occasionally in remote locations. They may also work with production staff, including producers, studio managers and presenters, as well as management, administrative staff, and product suppliers.

Broadcasting is deadline driven. Live programmes and the demands of maintaining 24-hour output can make this a highly pressurised role.

Broadcast engineers typically work around 40 hours a week. Shift work is common, including nights, weekends and public holidays. Shifts may be 12 hours long, spread over a seven-day fortnight. Broadcast engineers may sometimes be expected to work longer hours, especially on news programmes or when technical problems arise.

Working conditions vary. Broadcast engineers may work in offices, maintenance workshops, machine rooms, studio galleries or on location. Conditions can sometimes be hot and uncomfortable.

Location work and outside broadcasts can involve travel in the UK and abroad, and may mean working away from home, sometimes for extended periods. Some broadcast engineers may be required to work in dangerous environments, such as war zones.

The salary of a trainee broadcast engineers may start at around £18,000.

Getting Started with this Career Choice

Broadcast engineers work in television, radio and interactive media. The main employers are: the BBC; the terrestrial broadcasters (ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and S4C); satellite, cable and digital broadcasters; outside broadcast companies; facilities houses; and equipment manufacturers.

Jobs are available throughout the UK, but the broadcasting and facilities sectors are mostly based in and around London, with centres in other major cities, such as Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Bristol.

Competition for jobs in the industry is fierce, but there is a shortage of suitably qualified engineers. Most people working in broadcast engineering are employed on permanent or long-term contracts. There are also opportunities for short-term or freelance work for experienced engineers.

Vacancies may be advertised on companies' own websites, in national newspapers and the trade press, such as Broadcast and Televisual, and on specialist websites such as www.productionbase.co.uk, www.mandy.com and www.broadcastfreelancer.com.

Education and Training

Broadcast engineers usually start their careers as trainees. Most have a higher level qualification, such as a degree in electrical, electronic or broadcast engineering, or broadcast technology. Relevant courses are available at BTEC, HNC/HND, foundation degree and degree level. In some cases, qualifications in IT networking or computer programming may be appropriate.

An engineering degree normally requires a minimum of five GCSE's (A*-C), including maths and a science subject, plus two A levels, including maths or physics, or equivalent qualifications. Entry requirements for courses vary and applicants should check with the individual institutions.

It may be possible to enter the industry in a junior role, working as runner, and progressing through in-house training and showing the required technical aptitude.

The BBC and other broadcasters and large companies offer work experience placements. Some of the larger employers, such as the BBC and BSkyB, also run occasional graduate training schemes. Details are usually available on their websites.

Competition is fierce and all applicants need to demonstrate an interest in broadcasting, possess technical aptitude, and provide relevant practical experience. Valuable experience may be gained through local, student or community media, working in lighting and sound for amateur theatre, or mixing for a band.

A Few More Exams You Might Need

Broadcasting is a fast-moving industry and major technological changes are taking place. This includes the digital switchover, the growing importance of broadband and the move towards tapeless production. Broadcast engineers are at the heart of these changes and must keep up to date with developments in technology. They usually train on the job and large employers also provide training courses.

Short courses are available, from training providers such as BBC Training and Development and Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. Courses are also run by equipment and software manufacturers. Freelances normally have to fund their own training, but may be eligible for support from Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media, to cover part of the fees.