Chief Engineer, Director of Broadcast Technology

WHYY; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

WHYY is seeking an experienced Chief Engineer & Director of Broadcast Technology to oversee the engineering and operations powering our television, radio, streaming, and digital platforms in the Philadelphia region.

The role leads a high-caliber engineering team, drives a technology roadmap, ensures regulatory compliance, and partners with leadership on facilities, capital projects, and future audience delivery methods.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in broadcast engineering, media technology, or related technical environments.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing complex operations.
• Experience with streaming platforms, digital distribution, and IP-based media workflows.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all technical operations supporting WHYY television, radio, streaming, and digital distribution services.
• Ensure uninterrupted operation of broadcast, production, transmission, and streaming systems.
• Lead engineering personnel, set goals, and drive performance.
• Develop and implement a long-term technology roadmap aligned with organizational priorities.
• Ensure FCC regulations, EAS requirements, and industry standards are met.

Skills

Leadership

Broadcast engineering

Streaming platforms

IP-based media workflows

Budget management

Vendor management

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Broadcast hardware

IP networking

Cloud infrastructure

ATSC 3.0 knowledge

Job description

About WHYY

WHYY serves the Philadelphia region with trusted journalism, eye-opening storytelling and intimate local arts programming. Our curiosity and commitment to this community is what drives our programming. It’s also what drives our hiring.

Below you’ll find an employment opportunity in the fast‑paced setting of the Philadelphia region’s leading public media provider. The award‑winning professional staff of WHYY sets the bar high in television, radio and online. Whether it’s preparing a program to air or a behind‑the‑scenes role in support, all positions are vital to continuing—and growing—our impact in our community.

WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about our Social Responsibility Program.

It’s how we live.

About the Role

WHYY is seeking an experienced, forward‑thinking technology leader to oversee the engineering and technical operations that power one of the nation’s leading public media organizations.

The Chief Engineer & Director of Broadcast Technology is responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, and future readiness of WHYY’s television, radio, streaming, digital, and content distribution platforms. This individual will lead a highly skilled engineering team responsible for broadcast transmission, production technology, network infrastructure, master control operations, and emerging media technologies. Works closely with Operations leadership on facilities, infrastructure, and capital projects.

As public media continues to evolve, this role will help shape WHYY’s technology strategy, guiding the organization through advancements in streaming, cloud‑based workflows, IP‑based production systems, ATSC 3.0, digital distribution, and future audience delivery platforms while maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

The position serves as a strategic advisor to organizational leadership on technology investments, infrastructure modernization, digital distribution, and emerging media technologies. The role is responsible for ensuring that WHYY's technical infrastructure supports the organization's content, audience, and business objectives across all platforms.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Engineering Operations & Broadcast Reliability

• Oversee all technical operations supporting WHYY television, radio, streaming, and digital distribution services.
• Ensure uninterrupted operation of broadcast, production, transmission, and streaming systems.
• Direct maintenance and operational support of broadcast facilities, transmitters, towers, studios, master control, and related infrastructure.
• Oversee engineering support for live productions, remote broadcasts, special events, and content distribution.
• Maintain 24/7 operational readiness and coordinate response to technical emergencies and outages.

Leadership & Staff Management

• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop engineering personnel.
• Establish departmental goals, priorities, and performance expectations.
• Conduct hiring, evaluations, coaching, disciplinary actions, and succession planning activities.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on supporting content creation and audience service.
• Administer applicable collective bargaining agreements and labor‑management relationships.

Technology Strategy & Innovation

• Develop and implement a long‑term technology roadmap aligned with organizational priorities.
• Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and operational improvement.
• Evaluate and implement technologies related to ATSC 3.0, cloud‑based workflows, Audio over IP, Video over IP, streaming, automation, and content distribution.
• Collaborate with organizational leadership to align technology investments with strategic goals.

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with FCC regulations, EAS requirements, tower regulations, and all applicable federal, state, and industry standards.
• Oversee engineering documentation, inspections, filings, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain technical readiness for regulatory audits and inspections.
• Develop and maintain disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

Budget & Capital Planning

• Develop, manage, and monitor departmental operating and capital budgets.
• Research, evaluate, and recommend capital equipment purchases and infrastructure investments.
• Manage engineering‑related grants and technology projects as assigned.
• Ensure effective stewardship of organizational resources.

Vendor & Stakeholder Relations

• Serve as the primary technical liaison with PBS, NPR, distribution partners, technology vendors, consultants, and industry organizations.
• Manage vendor contracts, service agreements, and technical partnerships.
• Collaborate closely with News, Radio, Television, Digital Studios, Production, and Administrative departments to support organizational objectives.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in broadcast engineering, media technology, or related technical environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams and complex operations.
• Experience supporting television and radio transmission systems.
• Experience with streaming platforms, digital distribution, and IP‑based media workflows.
• Experience managing budgets, capital projects, and vendor relationships.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of broadcast transmission systems, studio operations, master control, and production technologies.
• Familiarity with Audio over IP, Video over IP, networking, cloud infrastructure, and digital media delivery systems.
• Knowledge of FCC regulations, EAS requirements, and broadcast compliance obligations.
• Understanding of ATSC 3.0 and emerging broadcast technologies preferred.

License or Certification

• FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License preferred.
• Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) certification preferred.