Broadcast Systems Technician

Hearst Magazines; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Hearst Magazines is seeking a Broadcast Systems Technician to install, maintain, and troubleshoot broadcast, IT, and facility systems supporting a 24/7 media operation. You will work across disciplines with Engineering and Technology management to ensure reliable content acquisition, production, automation, distribution, and transmission.

The role emphasizes hands-on diagnostics, documentation, and engineering-practice adherence, with cybersecurity considerations and possible travel to remote

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant technical field.
• Experience supporting broadcast, media, IT, or related technical environments.
• Knowledge of electronics, IP networking, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot electronic equipment with test gear.
• Strong communication and independent/collaborative work skills.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and support broadcast and facility infrastructure.
• Support servers, storage, virtual environments, workstations, and enterprise apps.
• Configure and maintain IP networking including switching and routing.
• Support media automation, production control, and newsroom technologies.
• Perform diagnostic testing using appropriate test equipment and established practices.
• Maintain documentation, inventories, and procedures.
• Assist with cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and infrastructure resilience.
• Travel to remote facilities and transmitter sites as needed.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

Associate degree in Engineering Technology or related field

Tools

Multimeters

Oscilloscopes

Spectrum analyzers

Fiber-optic test equipment

Networking gear

Cloud/storage platforms

Job description

Broadcast Systems Technician

Position Summary

The Broadcast Systems Technician is responsible for the installation, maintenance, support, troubleshooting, repair, and improvement of broadcast, production, information technology, networking, electronic, and transmission systems supporting a 24/7 media operation.

This position works across technical disciplines to ensure the reliable operation of content acquisition, production, automation, distribution, transmission, and business systems. Working under the direction of Engineering and Technology management, the Broadcast Systems Technician supports mission‑critical infrastructure through the application of sound engineering practices, technical expertise, and a commitment to operational excellence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and support broadcast, production, media workflow, transmission, information technology, electronic, and facility infrastructure systems.
• Support servers, storage platforms, virtual environments, workstations, operating systems, cloud services, and enterprise applications.
• Install, configure, and maintain IP networking infrastructure, including switching, routing, wireless, and network security systems.
• Support media automation, production control systems, content management systems, newsroom technologies, graphics systems, and media distribution workflows.
• Perform diagnostic testing and troubleshooting of electronic, electrical, and electromechanical equipment using appropriate test equipment and established engineering practices.
• Support facility infrastructure systems including power distribution, UPS systems, generators, environmental systems, grounding systems, and other technical plant equipment.
• Perform preventative maintenance, software updates, technology deployments, and system upgrades to maximize reliability and performance.
• Provide technical support to all station departments and respond to operational issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Maintain technical documentation, diagrams, inventories, and operational procedures.
• Assist with cybersecurity, business continuity, disaster recovery, and infrastructure resilience initiatives.
• Travel as required to remote facilities, transmitter sites, production locations, and other company facilities.
• Prioritize and execute work assignments in accordance with direction provided by Engineering and Technology management and established departmental standards.
• Exercise sound technical judgment while ensuring work aligns with approved engineering practices, operational requirements, and management direction.
• Ensure all work is completed safely, accurately, and in accordance with established technical, operational, quality, and documentation standards.
• Maintain a high standard of workmanship and technical excellence while supporting mission‑critical systems and infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Engineering Technology, Information Technology, Electronics, Computer Science, Broadcast Technology, or equivalent experience.
• Experience supporting technology systems in broadcast, media, telecommunications, information technology, military, industrial, or related technical environments.
• Working knowledge of electronics, computer systems, IP networking, electrical systems, and technical troubleshooting methodologies.
• Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot electronic equipment using appropriate test equipment and established engineering practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non‑technical personnel.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced operational environment.
• Valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting media production, content distribution, or broadcast operations.
• Experience with enterprise networking, virtualization platforms, storage systems, and cloud technologies.
• Experience using multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, spectrum analyzers, fiber‑optic test equipment, and other industry‑standard test equipment.

Industry certifications in networking, systems administration, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, electronics, or broadcast engineering.