Director of Engineering - WPXI TV

Cox Media Group, LLC.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WPXI Pittsburgh TV, part of Cox Media Group, seeks a Director of Engineering to lead all technical operations, from studio production to transmission facilities. You will manage budgets, guide modernization efforts, and ensure regulatory compliance across FCC rules, safety standards, and continuity planning.

You will build a high-performance engineering team, partner with News, Production, IT, and leadership to align technology with strategic goals, and drive 24/7 reliability and rapid incident

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in broadcast engineering or related field.
• 5–10 years in broadcast/engineering with leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of FCC compliance and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing budgets and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead all technical operations for the station, including studio production systems and master control workflows.
• Ensure reliable, compliant operation of transmitters, RF systems, and critical infrastructure.
• Protect the station license by maintaining regulatory compliance and inspections.
• Develop a culture focused on safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Coach and develop the station technical team, including staffing plans and performance expectations.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Broadcast engineering

Regulatory compliance

Vendor management

Team coaching

Communication

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in broadcast engineering

Tools

IP video

Automation systems

Cloud/playout

SMPTE standards

Job description

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Job Title: Director of Engineering - WPXI TV

Position Overview

WPXI Pittsburgh TV is seeking a Director of Engineering to lead the station’s technical operations, broadcast infrastructure, facilities systems, regulatory compliance, and technology modernization efforts. This role is responsible for ensuring reliable on-air operations, protecting the station license, maintaining studio and transmitter facilities, and partnering with News, Production, Sales, Traffic, Master Control, IT, and station leadership to support high-quality local journalism and business continuity. The Director of Engineering leads the technical team, oversees capital and operating budgets, manages vendor relationships, and drives continuous improvement across broadcast, IT, RF transmission, automation, production, network, cloud, and facility systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead all technical operations for the station, including studio production systems, newsroom technology, master control workflows, automation, media storage, signal distribution, ENG, remote production, and transmission facilities.
• Ensure reliable, compliant operation of transmitters, towers, RF systems, satellite and microwave systems, EAS equipment, monitoring systems, generators, UPS systems, HVAC, and other critical infrastructure.
• Protect the station license by maintaining compliance with federal, state and local regulatory agencies, including required documentation, inspections, testing, and corrective actions.
• Develop and lead a strong engineering culture focused on safety, accountability, service, collaboration, training, responsiveness, and continuous improvement.
• Manage, coach, and develop the station technical team, including staffing plans, performance expectations, succession planning, technical training, and emergency coverage.
• Partner with station leadership to align engineering priorities with operational goals, audience needs, local news production, company initiatives, and long-term technology strategy.
• Plan, execute, and track annual operating and capital budgets, including forecasting, business case development, bid solicitation, vendor selection, documentation, and project delivery.
• Lead capital projects from concept through implementation, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and with minimal disruption to on‑air operations.
• Support modernization of the station’s broadcast and IT environment, including IP‑based workflows, automation, cloud or hybrid systems, cybersecurity practices, disaster recovery, network resilience, and scalable production tools.
• Maintain strong working relationships with vendors, contractors, corporate technology teams, property management, and internal departments to resolve issues and improve service.
• Communicate clearly with technical and non‑technical stakeholders during outages, planned maintenance, project work, and operational incidents, including impact, status, timelines, and follow‑up actions.
• Lead after‑action reviews for significant technical incidents, document root causes and corrective actions, and implement improvements to reduce repeat issues.
• Prepare timely status reports, budget updates, project documentation, technical records, and leadership briefings as required.
• Serve as an essential leader during emergencies, severe weather, breaking news, major technical failures, or other events requiring immediate technical response.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in broadcast engineering, electrical engineering, information technology, media technology, or a related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5–10 years of progressively responsible broadcast, media technology, or engineering experience, including leadership or management responsibility.
• Strong understanding of television broadcast operations, RF transmission, studio production, newsroom systems, master control, automation, signal flow, media workflows, and FCC compliance.
• Working knowledge of IT infrastructure, networks, firewalls, switches, servers, operating systems, endpoint management, cybersecurity fundamentals, and business continuity practices.
• Experience managing operating budgets, capital budgets, technical projects, vendor relationships, documentation, and cross‑functional project teams.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, prioritize, and develop technical staff in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven, 24/7 operational environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, and decision‑making skills, including the ability to assess operational risk and respond effectively during urgent situations.
• Customer‑service mindset and professional approach when working with internal departments, corporate partners, vendors, contractors, clients, and the public.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple priorities, and provide leadership during nights, weekends, holidays, emergencies, or outages as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a mid- or major‑market television station, multi‑site broadcast environment, or highly complex live production operation.
• Experience with IP video/audio, cloud playout, broadcast automation, newsroom systems, remote production, bonded cellular, streaming, virtualization, and disaster recovery workflows.
• Familiarity with ATSC 3.0, HDR, SMPTE standards, cybersecurity frameworks, and emerging broadcast technology trends.
• SBE certification, PMP certification, cybersecurity certification, or other relevant technical credentials.

About Cox Media Group

CMG Media Corporation (d/b/a Cox Media Group) is an industry-leading media company with unparalleled brands, award‑winning content, and exceptional team members. CMG provides valuable local and national journalism and entertainment content to the people and communities it serves. The company's businesses encompass 17 high‑quality, market‑leading television brands in 9 markets; 45 top‑performing radio stations delivering multiple genres of content in 9 markets; and numerous streaming and digital platforms. CMG's TV portfolio includes multiple primary affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Telemundo and MyNetworkTV, as well as several valuable news and independent stations. For more information about CMG, visit www.coxmediagroup.com

CMG is a special place. Here, we rely on our winning mindset and deep expertise to find creative solutions, think differently, and work together to positively impact the people and communities we serve. It's where we connect and inspire diverse audiences every day and everywhere with our unmatched content, products, services and people.

At CMG, we take pride in our collaborative and open environment, where everyone feels valued, seen and heard. Our shared commitment to living our company's core Values – Teamwork, Integrity, Quality and Fiscal Responsibility - propels us every day, in everything we do. We encourage you to explore #LifeAtCMG, where you can bring your best, authentic self to work, think boldly and make a difference.

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CMG is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.