Chief Engineer Broadcast Radio

El Dorado Broadcasters LLC; Hesperia (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

El Dorado Broadcasters LLC seeks a hands-on Chief Engineer to oversee RF engineering, transmitter sites, and studio systems across Hesperia and Victor Valley. The role focuses on keeping stations on the air while ensuring FCC compliance and reliable IT infrastructure.

You will troubleshoot, repair, and maintain a wide range of radio broadcast equipment, automation systems, networking, and streaming gear, coordinating with vendors and internal teams.

Qualifications

• Requires 3+ years of professional radio broadcast engineering experience.
• Education or training in electronics, communications, broadcast engineering, or related field.
• SBE certification is highly desirable.
• At least 3 years diagnosing and repairing broadcast equipment, including component-level troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair radio broadcast equipment and systems.
• Maintain transmitter sites, towers, FM facilities, studios, and related gear.
• Diagnose and repair equipment to module and component level where needed.
• Monitor and maintain the complete broadcast air chain.
• Support computer, server, network, and IT systems.
• Provide technical support to station employees and end users.
• Apply routine security updates, patches, and firmware upgrades.
• Test backup, redundancy, and disaster-recovery systems and plans.
• Coordinate generator, HVAC, electrical, and other facility maintenance.
• Assist with capital expenditures, equipment replacement, and budgeting.

Skills

RF engineering

Transmitter maintenance

IT networking

Troubleshooting

Field work

Project management

Education

Electronics/telecommunications training

SBE certification

Tools

NexGen automation

Wheatstone

RCS NexGen

RCS GSelector

AIM (Mr Master)

Avaya switches

Cisco switches

Windows Server / Active Directory

Job description

Chief Engineer - Radio Broadcasting

Hesperia, California | Full-Time (Also Open to Considering Contract Work)

Join Our Engineering Team

We are seeking an experienced, hands‑on Chief Engineer to oversee the technical operations of our radio broadcast facilities in Hesperia and the Victor Valley, California.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced broadcast engineer who enjoys a combination of RF engineering, transmitter and tower-site operations, studio systems, IT/networking, troubleshooting, and hands‑on field work.

The Chief Engineer will be responsible for maintaining reliable broadcast operations, ensuring FCC technical compliance, supporting studio and IT infrastructure, and responding to technical issues that affect our ability to stay on the air.

We are looking for someone who takes ownership, solves problems, and understands one of the most important rules in broadcasting: keep the stations on the air.

What You'll Do

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair radio broadcast equipment and systems.
• Maintain transmitter sites, towers, FM broadcast facilities, studios, and related equipment.
• Diagnose and repair broadcast equipment to the module and, when appropriate, component level.
• Monitor and maintain the complete broadcast air chain.
• Maintain and support computer, server, network, and IT systems.
• Provide technical support to station employees and end users.
• Perform routine security updates, software patches, firmware updates, and preventative maintenance.
• Test, maintain, and manage backup, redundancy, and disaster‑recovery systems.
• Coordinate and oversee generator, HVAC, electrical, and other critical facility maintenance.
• Perform general technical facility maintenance as needed.
• Install and maintain microwave, satellite, streaming, and related communications equipment.
• Maintain automation and studio systems, including NexGen and Wheatstone or comparable platforms.
• Troubleshoot automation, audio routing, networking, hardware, and software issues.
• Ensure equipment and facilities are operated safely and in compliance with applicable technical requirements.
• Serve as the station's Chief Operator as applicable under FCC rules, including 47 C.F.R. 73.1870.
• Oversee and help maintain compliance with applicable FCC technical regulations.
• Develop and maintain appropriate engineering procedures, maintenance schedules, documentation, and technical records.
• Support production, editing, graphics, playback, and other station technology as needed.
• Provide technical recommendations and input for capital expenditures, equipment replacement, and annual budgeting.
• Travel to transmitter and remote facilities on a regular basis, generally weekly.
• Participate in an on‑call rotation and respond to emergency outages or critical technical issues.
• Perform other engineering and technical duties as needed.

What We're Looking For

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• 3+ years of professional radio broadcast engineering experience.
• Education or technical training in electronics, communications, broadcast engineering, or a related field.
• SBE certification is highly desirable.
• At least 3 years of experience diagnosing and repairing broadcast equipment, including component‑level troubleshooting.
• Strong understanding of the complete radio broadcast air chain.
• Knowledge of RF theory, RF emissions, transmitters, antennas, and related broadcast systems.
• Understanding of HD Radio theory and operation.
• Knowledge of broadcast facility electrical systems, including AC/DC theory, battery backup systems, low‑and high‑voltage wiring, soldering, relays, and contact closures.
• Experience with PA systems, audio systems, and stage equipment.
• Experience with NexGen automation, including troubleshooting and scripting.
• Experience with Marketron Traffic, RCS GSelector, RCS NexGen, AIM (Mr Master), Avaya phone systems, Cisco switches, servers, desktops, and laptops is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Server environments, Microsoft 365, Windows operating systems, and basic Active Directory administration.
• Experience with Wheatstone systems or comparable broadcast audio/networking platforms.
• Understanding of streaming encoders and digital audio streaming operations.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage projects, vendors, maintenance schedules, and technical priorities.
• Ability to work independently and make sound technical decisions during outages and other time‑sensitive situations.

Physical and Field Requirements

This is a hands‑on engineering position and is not limited to studio or office work. The Chief Engineer must be comfortable working at transmitter and remote facilities and performing physical technical work.

Candidates Must Be Able To

• Regularly travel to transmitter and remote broadcast facilities.
• Safely lift and move equipment weighing approximately 50 pounds, with heavier equipment handled using appropriate assistance or equipment.
• Work in equipment rooms, transmitter facilities, studios, and outdoor environments.
• Drive a company vehicle, including a 4x4 vehicle, as necessary to access remote facilities.
• Maintain a valid driver's license and meet the Company's vehicle‑insurability requirements.
• Respond to occasional after‑hours emergencies and station outages.

Why Join Us?

Radio engineering is changing rapidly, but great engineering remains at the heart of a successful station. This position offers the opportunity to work across traditional RF broadcasting, digital audio, automation, streaming, networking, IT, and emerging broadcast technologies.

If you are the person who likes figuring out why something isn't working and getting it working again we'd like to hear from you.

• Position: Chief Engineer - Radio Broadcasting
• Location: Hesperia, California / Victor Valley
• Employment Type: Full-Time

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.