Director Engineering

fox com; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

WJBK FOX 2 Detroit is seeking an experienced Director of Engineering to lead the station’s Engineering Department. This role is responsible for the maintenance, reliability, security, and strategic development of the infrastructure and systems that support the station’s broadcast, production, transmission, and digital platforms.

You will provide leadership to the engineering team while partnering with Broadcast Operations, IT, and station leadership on technology initiatives and infrastructure

Qualifications

• Experience in television broadcast engineering, media/production/IT.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing complex systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, project management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of broadcast, production, networking, and file-based media technologies.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, live production environment.
• 5+ years of television broadcast engineering with increasing responsibility.
• Leadership experience in a television station or media facility.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a technical field; SBE certification preferred.
• Experience with broadcast transmission systems, FCC compliance, EAS, ATSC standards, and digital workflows.
• Knowledge of automation, newsroom systems, IP-based media infrastructure, cybersecurity practices.
• SBE certification or other relevant industry certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Engineering Department, directing and developing staff.
• Ensure reliable operation, maintenance, and repair of all broadcast and facility systems.
• Develop preventive maintenance, lifecycle planning, and technical documentation.
• Oversee transmission facilities and FCC/EAS/ATSC compliance.
• Maintain emergency preparedness, backup power, disaster recovery, and testing.
• Collaborate with IT to ensure cybersecurity and standards compliance.
• Identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Consult with VP on budgets, lifecycle planning, and capital projects.
• Coordinate equipment purchases, vendor relations, and contracts.
• Oversee critical facility infrastructure incl. generators, UPS, HVAC.
• Promote safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Broadcast engineering

Team leadership

Troubleshooting

Project management

Communication

Live production

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Broadcast Technology, Information Technology, Computer Science

SBE certification

Job description

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Fox TV StationsFOX Television Stations owns and operates 29 full power broadcast television stations in the U.S. These include stations located in 14 of the top 15 largest designated market areas, or DMAs, and duopolies in 11 DMAs, including the three largest DMAs (New York, Los Angeles and Chicago). Of these stations, 18 are affiliated with the FOX Network. In addition to distributing sports, entertainment and syndicated content, our television stations collectively produce approximately 1,200 hours of local news every week. These stations leverage viewer, distributor and advertiser demand for the FOX Network’s national content.

JOB DESCRIPTION

WJBK FOX 2 Detroit is seeking an experienced Director of Engineering to lead the station’s Engineering Department. This position is responsible for the maintenance, reliability, security, technical compliance, and strategic development of the infrastructure and systems that support the station’s broadcast, production, transmission, and digital platforms. The Director of Engineering will provide leadership to the engineering team while partnering with Broadcast Operations, IT, station leadership, and TVHO Engineering on technology initiatives and infrastructure planning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Engineering Department, providing direction, coaching, training, and performance management.


• Ensure the reliable operation, maintenance, and repair of all broadcast, production, transmission, newsroom, and facility technical systems.


• Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs, equipment lifecycle planning, and technical documentation.


• Oversee station transmission facilities and technical compliance programs, ensuring adherence to FCC regulations, EAS requirements, CALM Act standards, ATSC requirements, and other applicable industry standards.


• Maintain emergency preparedness programs, including backup power systems, disaster recovery plans, and annual operational testing.


• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure broadcast systems comply with FOX cybersecurity, networking, and technology standards.


• Identify root causes of technical issues and implement corrective actions to improve operational reliability.


• Consult with the VP of Engineering/Operations on engineering operating and capital budgets, including equipment lifecycle planning, capital projects, and technology investments.


• Coordinate equipment purchases, vendor relationships, service contracts, and capital projects.


• Oversee maintenance of critical facility infrastructure, including generators, UPS systems, HVAC systems supporting technical operations, and related building systems.


• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.


• Partner with TVHO Engineering and station leadership on technology initiatives, engineering standards, capital planning, infrastructure improvements, and system implementations.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in television broadcast engineering, media technology, production technology, information technology, or a related technical field.


• Experience leading technical teams and managing complex broadcast, production, transmission, or IT systems.


• Strong troubleshooting, project management, organizational, and communication skills.


• Working knowledge of broadcast, production, networking, and file-based media technologies.


• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, live production environment and respond to operational issues as needed.

Preferred

• Five or more years of television broadcast engineering experience with increasing levels of responsibility.


• Leadership experience in a television station, network, production facility, or similar media environment.


• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Broadcast Technology, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.


• Experience with broadcast transmission systems, FCC compliance, EAS, ATSC standards, and digital media workflows.


• Knowledge of broadcast automation, newsroom systems, IP-based media infrastructure, enterprise networking, virtualization, cloud technologies, and cybersecurity practices.


• SBE certification or other relevant industry certifications.

Additional Information

We recognize that exceptional candidates may not possess every qualification listed above. Candidates with a strong record of technical leadership, operational excellence, and the ability to learn and adapt in a rapidly evolving media environment are encouraged to apply.

WJBK FOX 2 Detroit is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.

Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $120,000.00-135,000.00 annually. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, various benefits, including medical/dental/vision, insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits in accordance with applicable plan documents. Benefits for Union represented employees will be in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

View more detail about FOX Benefits.