Broadcast Systems Technician

Hearst; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Hearst Television in Des Moines, IA, is seeking a Broadcast Systems Technician to install, maintain, and support broadcast, IT, networking, and facility systems supporting a 24/7 operation.

You will troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade mission-critical infrastructure, collaborate with Engineering and Technology teams, and ensure cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and documentation standards are met across content acquisition, production, and distribution workflows.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Engineering Technology, IT, Electronics, Computer Science, Broadcast Technology, or equivalent.
• Experience supporting technology systems in broadcast, media, telecommunications, IT, or related technical environments.
• Working knowledge of electronics, computer systems, IP networking, electrical systems, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot electronic equipment using 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.

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.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Independence

Teamwork

Education

Associate degree in Engineering Technology/IT/Electronics/Broadcast

Tools

IP networking

Virtualization

Storage systems

Cloud technologies

Test equipment (multimeter, oscilloscope, etc.)

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.

Hearst Television (HTV) owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching nearly 25 million U.S. television households. HTV is recognized as one of the industry's premier broadcasting companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. we do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national, origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.