Distribution Engineer

Formula One Management Limited; Biggin Hill; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private Healthcare scheme

Dental Care

4 x Grand Prix Paddock passes per

Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

Staff shuttle service

Free healthy snacks

Subsidised canteen

25 days annual leave

Training opportunities

Discount on F1 merchandise

Perkbox benefits

Job summary

Formula One Management Limited, based at the F1 Media & Technology Centre in Biggin Hill, seeks a Distribution Engineer to ensure the reliable delivery of video and audio feeds during live broadcasts. You will also contribute to upgrades across the distribution stack and work with cross-functional teams to maintain on-air services.

We look for a technically strong engineer with broadcast or telecoms experience, calm under pressure, and a willingness to work weekends during race events.

Qualifications

• Experience in a broadcast, media or telecommunications environment.
• Experience in live sports or high-pressure environments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage switching of services to keep outputs on air during normal and emergency conditions.
• Liaise with fibre, uplink and connectivity providers during fault investigations.
• Routinely check health and performance of distribution equipment.
• Identify and mitigate risks across the distribution infrastructure.
• Document diagrams and procedures for distribution systems.

Skills

Broadcast engineering

HD/3GSDI

AES/ Dolby E

AES67

TCP/IP networking

SMPTE 2110

Video encoding

MPEG2 Transport

Control/monitoring tools

Live event support

Education

Broadcast/IT networking certifications

Tools

Cerebrum/TAG/Data‑miner

Job description

Are you ready to make your mark in the world of Formula 1? At Formula 1, we are passionate about delivering the world’s greatest sports and entertainment spectacle leaving a positive legacy wherever we race. Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do ever since our first Grand Prix in 1950. Now, more than 75 years on, the sport remains a pioneer, developing technologies that have made a significant impact on society beyond the track. Everything you see on screen or at an event comes via our passionate and dedicated people. Whether its engineering, broadcast, legal, logistics, security, event management, commercial, media rights, marketing, or communications there is always a talented team working to maximise the potential of the sport.

Role Overview

Our team of skilled technical experts keeps Formula 1 moving, and as a Distribution Engineer, you will play a vital role in ensuring the reliable delivery of all video and audio feeds that power F1’s global broadcast and digital output. Based at the Formula 1 Media & Technology Centre in Biggin Hill, you will provide crucial operational support during race weekends - establishing, monitoring, and routing feeds essential to live production and worldwide distribution. Outside of event weekends, you will contribute to ongoing upgrades across our technology stack, improving reliability, performance, and scalability to meet the growing distribution demands of the sport.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the switching of services during normal and emergency conditions to ensure all outputs remain on air.
• Liaise with thirdparty fibre, uplink and connectivity providers during fault investigations.
• Routinely check the health and performance of all contribution and distribution equipment.
• Proactively identify and mitigate risks or vulnerabilities across the distribution infrastructure.
• Develop a solid understanding of Formula 1’s broader technical ecosystem and how operational departments collaborate during race weekends.
• Create and maintain documentation, diagrams and operational procedures.
• Implement, or support the implementation of, upgrades, changes and improvements to distribution systems and infrastructure.

What Are We Looking For?

A technically strong, calm under pressure engineer who thrives in a live broadcast environment and is committed to delivering highly reliable services during the most demanding operational windows of the F1 season.

Experience

• Have experience working in a broadcast, media, or telecommunications environment.
• Ideally have experience within Live Sports or similarly high-pressure operational contexts.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working directly with high availability distribution or transmission systems.
• Familiarity with troubleshooting real time broadcast chain issues across multiple vendors, technologies and signal types.
• Previous experience supporting projects involving system upgrades or infrastructure modernisation.

Knowledge & Skills

• In-depth knowledge of television distribution systems, platforms and standards.
• Working knowledge of HD & 3GSDI baseband video signals.
• Understanding of AES, MADI, Dolby E and AES67 audio signals.
• Good practical knowledge of TCP/IP networking, including multicast traffic.
• Experience with SMPTE 2110 standards.
• Working knowledge of h.264/h.265/HEVC encoding configuration.
• Understanding of MPEG2 Transport Streams and TR101290 analysis.
• Hands‑on experience with control/monitoring systems such as Cerebrum, TAG or Data‑miner.
• Ability to operate signal test and analysis equipment for both baseband and transport stream workflows.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Ability to remain focused and effective in high‑pressure, time‑critical environments.

Qualifications

• Certifications related to broadcast engineering, IT networking, or media transport (e.g., SMPTE, Cisco, or equivalent).
• Vendor‑specific training linked to encoding, routing, monitoring, or IP‑based media workflows.

Personal Qualities

• Calm and composed when working under pressure.
• Methodical, detail oriented and proactive in identifying potential issues before they impact service.
• Adaptable, with the ability to switch focus quickly during live operational environments.
• A clear communicator who builds trust with colleagues and external partners.
• Willing to work unsociable hours, including weekends, when supporting live race events.

Why join the force behind the sport?

Joining F1 means becoming part of a team that values innovation, collaboration and personal growth. We offer a dynamic work environment where ideas are heard, and employee contributions truly make an impact. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people to play their role in accelerating the future of the sport. As a member of the F1 team, you will be able to access our amazing benefits.

Benefits

• Private Healthcare scheme
• Dental Care
• 4 x Grand Prix Paddock passes per season
• Enhanced maternity/paternity leave and other family planning policies
• A free staff shuttle service running to and from surrounding trains stations near to Biggin Hill
• Free healthy snacks in our offices
• Subsidised canteen in Biggin Hill, serving breakfast and lunch
• 25 days annual leave and 8 Bank Holiday days, plus a Christmas period closure
• Opportunities to develop and request training for your role via our in‑house Learning and Development team
• Discount on F1 merchandise
• Discount at F1’s experiences including F1 Arcade and F1 Drive
• Perkbox benefit portal and more

Division: Broadcast and Media

Here’s how we roll Formula 1® delivers the world’s greatest sports and entertainment spectacle with innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability at the heart of its future growth and value. As the global rights holders of this incredible sport our team delivers the 24‑race calendar direct to our passionate fans around the globe. Everything you see on screen or at an event comes via our people at F1. Whether its engineering, broadcast, legal, logistics, security, event management, commercial, media rights, marketing, and communications there is always a driven and talented team working to maximise the potential of the sport. We are focused on delivering the best for our fans and partners while also ensuring we do the right thing as a business and use the power of Formula 1 to make a positive contribution to the places we visit and to our own community. That is why sustainability and accessibility are part of every decision F1 makes. Our commitment to being Net Zero by 2030 is already reducing our emissions both on and off the track, and our focus on diversity and inclusion ensures everyone is welcome. This is Formula 1!