Engineer - Technical Director

WGBH Educational Foundation; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

GBH is seeking a Technical Director for the Production Group to ensure technical execution and operational readiness of GBH Studios’ broadcast facilities. The role requires leading technical crews, coordinating with producers and directors, and maintaining high standards for live and recorded programming.

You will oversee studio systems, guide production workflows, and participate in pre-production planning while providing mentorship to staff and freelance crews in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–7 years in broadcast television or major studio environments
• Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Engineering, Communications, or equivalent practical work experience

Responsibilities

• Serve as Technical Director for live broadcasts, recorded programming, livestreams, and special events.
• Direct the technical execution of productions, including stage plots, cameras, video systems, routing, graphics, playback, and communications.
• Operate and oversee production control room systems and workflows, with support from broadcast maintenance engineers.
• Lead technical checks, system tests, and pre-production meetings to identify and resolve issues before production.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for assigned productions, communicating requirements with producers, directors, clients, and crew.
• Collaborate with Studio Operations, Engineering, Audio, Lighting, Scenic, and Production teams to develop efficient technical workflows.

Skills

Studio operations

Technical leadership

Broadcast systems

Communication

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Engineering or related field

Tools

Grass Valley Karrera

Avid Stream IO

Ki Pro

Clipstore

Job description

GBH enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives. At GBH, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are hybrid and work both from home and onsite. Our current hybrid approach requires staff to work onsite a minimum of two days each week, every Tuesday and Wednesday, Hybrid staff are also welcome to come in additional days each week or may be asked to come in on other days by their manager.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The GBH Production Group oversees GBH production and post-production operations and is comprised of two divisions: GBH Studios which manage and staff studio and EFP production, Fraser Studio operations, GBH public spaces, and the remote studio at Boston Public Library. GBH OutPost, which provides post-production services, including color-grading and online, audio mixing and sweetening, sound booth recording, and duplication/encoding operations.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Technical Director reports to the Senior Manager, Studio Operations within the Production Group and is responsible for the technical execution and operational readiness of GBH Studios’ broadcast and production facilities. The Technical Director serves as a senior technical resource for studio productions, live and recorded programming, EFP productions, and special events. This position works closely with producers, directors, studio operations, engineering, lighting, audio, scenic, and freelance production staff to ensure that productions are technically sound, efficient, and executed to GBH standards. The Technical Director is responsible for overseeing studio technical systems and workflows, preparing control rooms and production spaces, leading technical crews, and serving as the primary technical point of contact during assigned productions. The position requires advanced knowledge of broadcast and studio production systems, excellent troubleshooting and communication skills, and the ability to remain calm and decisive in a fast-paced production environment. A high level of interpersonal skills is a must.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as Technical Director for live broadcasts, recorded programming, livestreams, and special events.
• Direct the technical execution of productions, including stage plots, cameras, video systems, routing, graphics, playback, and communications.
• Operate and oversee production control room systems and workflows, with support from broadcast maintenance engineers.
• Lead technical checks, system tests, and pre-production meetings to identify and resolve issues before production.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for assigned productions - communicating requirements with producers, directors, clients, and crew.
• Collaborate with Studio Operations, Engineering, Audio, Lighting, Scenic, and Production teams to develop efficient technical workflows.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during live and recorded productions and coordinate with Engineering and Operations on equipment maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and system improvements.
• Maintain working knowledge of studio equipment, signal flow, routing, cameras, production switchers, intercom, monitoring, recording, playback, and related broadcast technologies.
• Ensure productions meet applicable broadcast, technical, safety, and organizational standards.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to staff and freelance crew.
• Provide a high level of customer service to internal departments, external clients, producers, and visiting production teams.
• Support EFP, remote, virtual, and other production workflows as needed.
• Create annual recommendations for equipment and studio needs – including capital purchases and software required for ongoing operations.

SKILL SET

• Deep knowledge of broadcast studio production and control room operations.
• Proficiency with Grass Valley Karrera production switchers and associated control room workflows.
• Knowledge of camera shading, robotic camera systems, audio mix rooms, and intercom/communications systems.
• Experience with video routing, signal flow, monitoring, recording, playback, and ingest workflows, including Avid Stream IO, Ki Pro, and Clipstore systems.
• Knowledge of satellite and fiber connectivity and their application to studio and broadcast operations.
• Excellent technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in live and recorded production environments.
• Ability to read and understand technical documentation, signal-flow diagrams, and system configurations.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills with producers, directors, engineers, clients, and production crews.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentorship to staff and freelance crew.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in broadcast television or major studio environments, with proven experience as a primary Technical Director. Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Engineering, Communications, or equivalent practical work experience required.

JOB SPECIFICS

• Flexibility to support dynamic shift schedules (early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays).
• Hands-on involvement: occasional equipment rack setup, physical gear rigging, and off-site/EFP travel.
• NABET union position
• Onsite position
• Staff position

LOCATION 1

Guest Street, Boston, MA 02135 This position is located in Boston, MA, and requires on-site presence.

Salary Range $76,780 - $99,500 Compensation offered within this range is determined by skills, experience further more such internal pay equity.

GBH is an equal opportunity employer. The community and audience we serve are diverse, and we wish to foster that diversity in our workplace. Toward that end, GBH does not discriminate against individuals in hiring, employment, or promotion based on race, religion, color, sex/gender, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, disability, veteran or military status, political belief, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Application Process Assistance GBH will reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities who need adjustments to participate in the application or interview process. To initiate an accommodation request, contact the Human Resource department by sending an email to [e-mail] or by calling 617-300-2000.