Maintenance Engineer Eastern Region

OPB; Bend (OR); On-site; USD 68,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

OPB in Bend, Oregon is seeking a Field Maintenance Engineer for an onsite, Monday–Friday role. The position blends fieldwork with hands‑on technical problem solving across TV, FM, microwave, and fiber systems, with travel to transmitter sites and occasional tower work.

Ideal candidates have strong technical aptitude, safety focus, and the ability to work independently within a small, collaborative team. Experience with broadcast equipment is preferred and first aid/cpr training is encouraged.

Qualifications

• Four years combined involvement with A/V production, communications technology, electrical distribution, physical plant ops, systems engineering, or broadcast education.
• Strong understanding of signal flow and troubleshooting fundamentals.
• Detail‑oriented and highly organized, able to work independently.
• Willingness to work outdoors in challenging conditions, including back‑country travel and inclement weather.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to engage with viewers, listeners, contractors.

Responsibilities

• Travel to transmitter sites in 4WD trucks or tracked snow vehicles.
• Independently perform routine or emergency maintenance on equipment at transmitter sites (TV, FM, microwave, air chains, controls, generators, building systems).
• Erect, paint, reinforce, rebuild, or demolish site structures as needed.
• Trips are often 3–5 days long.
• Document installations, upgrades, and operational parameters.

Skills

Four years combined experience

Signal flow troubleshooting

Independent work

Team collaboration

Customer-facing communication

Valid driver license

4WD trucks experience

Physical stamina

Safety consciousness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electronics/Electrical Engineering/IT

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Office

Job description

About OPB

OPB is a leader in public media, serving diverse communities of the Northwest with fact-based, in-depth news and information about politics, the environment, science, arts, history, and cultures; business, education and more. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB seeks out a variety of voices in our communities and lifts up authentic stories of the people, places, events and issues of the region, providing context and a deeper understanding. OPB’s independent journalism and programs are available at opb.org, on OPB Radio and OPB TV. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.

The Opportunity

The Field Maintenance Engineer is an onsite role working Monday through Friday. Quick response is needed for outages, including those caused by weather, planned maintenance, and system improvements. The position involves cross-training skills such as tower climbing, saw operation, driving, and first aid certification. Ideal candidates have strong technical aptitude, enjoy working outdoors, and demonstrate sound judgment, and a strong commitment to safety. Experience in hands‑on field environments is highly transferable, as the technical aspects of the role can be taught.

The role is a balance between fieldwork and technical problem-solving. While tower climbing is only required about once a month, the job also includes troubleshooting equipment in-office. Experience with audio, video, or broadcast systems is preferred, along with the ability to install, troubleshoot, and repair electrical equipment. The role is best suited for self‑motivated individuals who can work independently and collaborate effectively within a small, close‑knit team.

Position Summary

The Field Maintenance Engineer is a member of the Bend‑based engineering team and is entrusted with a wide variety of duties supporting the Eastern Region of OPB’s statewide broadcast network. Our area of responsibility stretches from the Cascades to the Idaho border. This engineer works independently or with OPB staff and contractors on projects ranging from technical research, documentation, and test‑bench equipment repairs to winter trips accessing remote transmitter sites for maintenance. We primarily work in digital television, FM radio, microwave, and fiber distribution. The engineer filling this position possesses methodical troubleshooting skills, safety awareness, and a spirit of adventure.

Areas of Responsibility

• Travel to transmitter sites in 4WD trucks or tracked snow vehicles, occasionally requiring hiking or snowshoeing
• Independently perform routine or emergency maintenance on equipment at transmitter sites, including TV, FM, and microwave air chains and controls, generators, building mechanical systems, and computer networks
• Erect, paint, reinforce, rebuild, or demolish site structures as necessary
• Trips are often 3-5 days long
• Perform basic vehicle maintenance as necessary

25% Planning and Documentation

• Document installations, upgrades, and operational parameters
• Update databases with plans, drawings, and diagrams of changes
• Partner with staff in planning and designing new systems
• Create and revise simple documents for managing equipment, tools, programs, libraries, and supplies

25% Field Services

• Represent OPB in routine interactions with viewers and listeners, vendors and contractors, fellow broadcasters and engineers, cable operators, utility companies, government agencies, emergency services personnel, and the people of the Pacific Northwest

20% Education

• Participate in on‑the‑job training directed by Chief Engineers in signal flow, transmitter function, the use of test equipment, and repair and maintenance of broadcast facilities
• Create training presentations contributing to staff learning activities
• First Aid, CPR, and Wilderness Emergency Medicine compulsory
• Attendance when possible, at industry seminars

Working Conditions

Conditions vary widely, from the Bend workshop to remote broadcast facilities across the state and include arduous travel and significant hands‑on activity outdoors year‑round. The position occasionally requires non‑traditional work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays to respond to outages or emergencies. Travel to remote sites involves 4WD trucks and tracked snow‑vehicles, and possibly the need to perform basic mechanical repairs. Non‑ionizing radiation exists at all transmission sites, and high voltages are present in some equipment. This position requires challenging physical activity, including lifting up to 50 pounds, performing in inclement weather, tower climbing, and walking or snowshoeing at least 5 miles.

Minimum Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes)

• Four years combined involvement with A/V production, communications technology, electrical distribution, physical plant ops, systems engineering, or broadcast education
• Strong understanding of signal flow and troubleshooting fundamentals
• Detail‑oriented and highly organized, able to work independently
• Willingness to work outdoors in challenging conditions, including back‑country travel and inclement weather, and to maintain OPB‑provided certifications in First Aid, CPR, and wilderness emergency medicine
• Excellent interpersonal skills, a solution‑oriented communicator that tactfully engages with colleagues, contractors, and our viewers and listeners
• Competent in Windows and Microsoft Office
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and experience with 4WD trucks and towing
• Familiar with vehicle maintenance, and with basic construction tasks and equipment
• Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB

Preferred Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes)

• Experience with the design, maintenance, and operation of TV & FM transmitters, or of related equipment such as cellular transceivers, spectrum analyzers, frame syncs and audio processors, IP network devices, radar/sonar, or military radios
• Experience operating tracked vehicles or other heavy equipment
• Familiarity with construction tasks, wiring, framing, siding, sheetrock, HVAC
• Tower climbing training
• Bachelor’s degree in related field such as Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or IT,CCNA

Additional Information

• This position reports to the Eastern Region Chief Engineer.
• This role is union represented by SEIU and eligible for benefits.
• The probable hiring range for this exempt position is between $32.69-35.00 per hour depending on qualifications.

This position will remain open until filled; however, we will begin reviewing applications and scheduling interviews the week of August 17, 2025.