Broadcast - Assistant Chief Engineer

Hearst Magazines; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WGAL, the Hearst Television owned NBC affiliate serving the Harrisburg-Lancaster-York market, has an opening for an Assistant Chief Engineer. You will lead technical teams across studio operations, IT and RF in a live broadcast environment, organizing, planning, and delivering deployments and upgrades.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, hands-on fault diagnosis of RF/IT systems, FCC compliance, and the management of multiple sites with safety and quality as core priorities.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership in engineering and operations
• Deep knowledge of RF transmission, studio production, routing, distribution
• Experience maintaining broadcast IT systems and networks
• Familiarity with FCC rules and licensing requirements
• Ability to read technical drawings and schematics

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and day-to-day directions to Engineering and Technical Operations teams.
• Oversee operation, reliability, and maintenance of studio, field, transmission, and production equipment across multiple sites.
• Assign daily priorities, communicate expectations, and guide staff in troubleshooting, maintenance and project implementation.
• Diagnose and resolve broadcast-system issues from RF transmission and signal distribution through equipment and component levels.
• Maintain transmitters, satellite antenna systems, microwave and RF systems, signal-routing and distribution systems, and related infrastructure.
• Oversee the integrity, security, reliability, and maintenance of broadcast IT systems, networks, and infrastructure.
• Train and coach team members on equipment operation, maintenance procedures, safety requirements, FCC regulations, and broadcast standards.
• Assist the Chief Engineer with employee development, performance management, departmental training, and long-term technical planning.
• Provide leadership and decision-making for the Technical Department in the Chief Engineers absence.
• Assist with planning and execution of capital projects, system upgrades, equipment installation, and facility improvements.
• Work with Operation Manager to develop schedules that support Master Control, Production, Technical, and other operational needs.
• Ensure technical staff have the tools, test equipment, supplies, documentation, and information needed to perform their responsibilities successfully.
• Maintain compliance with applicable FCC rules, licensing, safety standards, and company policies.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with local vendors, contractors, and service providers.
• Support facility and physical-plant management across multiple locations.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented, and safety-focused work environment.

Skills

Technical leadership

RF & IT systems

Broadcast operations

Team coordination

Regulatory compliance

Education

Higher education in technology

SBE certification

Military experience

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

WGAL, the Hearst Television owned NBC affiliate serving the Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, PA market has an opening for an Assistant Chief Engineer. In this role, you will help lead a team of technical professionals ranging from studio operators to IT and RF specialists as you organize, plan, manage, document and complete assignments within our live broadcast environment. This includes oversight of the equipment itself and execution of both local and corporate-led systems deployments and upgrades. As Assistant Chief Engineer you will monitor multiple air channels, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure quality control of the on-air product.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and day-to-day directions to the Engineering and Technical Operations teams.
• Oversee the operation, reliability, and maintenance of studio, field, transmission, and production equipment across multiple sites.
• Assign daily priorities, communicate expectations, and guide technical staff in troubleshooting, maintenance, and project implementation.
• Diagnose and resolve broadcast-system issues from RF transmission and signal distribution through equipment and component level troubleshooting.
• Maintain transmitters, satellite antenna systems, microwave and RF systems, signal-routing and distribution systems, and related infrastructure.
• Oversee the integrity, security, reliability, and maintenance of broadcast IT systems, networks, and infrastructure.
• Train and coach team members on equipment operation, maintenance procedures, safety requirements, FCC regulations, and broadcast standards.
• Assist the Chief Engineer with employee development, performance management, departmental training, and long-term technical planning.
• Provide leadership and decision-making for the Technical Department in the Chief Engineers absence.
• Assist with planning and execution of capital projects, system upgrades, equipment installation, and facility improvements.
• Work with Operation Manager to develop schedules that support Master Control, Production, Technical, and other operational needs.
• Ensure technical staff have the tools, test equipment, supplies, documentation, and information needed to perform their responsibilities successfully.
• Maintain compliance with applicable FCC rules, licensing requirements, safety standards, and company policies.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with local vendors, contractors, and service providers.
• Support facility and physical-plant management across multiple locations.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented, and safety-focused work environment.

Requirements

• This position requires a flexible schedule for operational needs.Evenings, weekends, holidays and participation in 24-hour emergency responses are expected.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in Television Broadcast Operations/Maintenance
• Demonstrated technical leadership or supervisory experience, including assigning work, coaching employees, and leading technical projects.
• Strong understanding of the complete broadcast signal chain from RF transmission, studio production, routing, distribution, and monitoring systems.
• Hands on experience diagnosing , troubleshooting, and repairing broadcast and production equipment at the system, board, and component levels.
• Working knowledge of transmitters, antennas, satellite systems, signal-routing equipment, studio systems, test equipment, and IP-based broadcasting technologies.
• Knowledge of FCC technical requirements, licensing, recordkeeping, and broadcast compliance.
• Experience with broadcast IT systems, networking, network security, and infrastructure support.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, signal-flow diagrams, schematics, equipment manuals, and system documentation.Experience with AutoCAD is a plus.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound technical decisions during time sensitive or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds, climb ladders, work at heights, perform physical activities associated with equipment installation and maintenance with reasonable accommodation.
• Must have current driver's license.
• Higher education in technology, relevant SBE certification, or related military experience will be considered.

Values in Action

At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That’s why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.