MEDIA SYSTEMS ENGINEER - KOLN/KSNB

Gray Local Media, Inc; Hastings (NE); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

KOLN/KSNB-TV/Gray Media is seeking a Media Systems Engineer to maintain and advance broadcast infrastructure across Hastings and surrounding towers. You will ensure live broadcasts and streams run flawlessly, supporting news operations 24/7.

Ideal candidates bring an engineering or electronics degree with 2–3 years in broadcast tech, strong IP video transport skills, and a calm, strategic mindset to handle high-pressure live environments.

Qualifications

• An engineering or electronics degree (or equivalent experience) plus 2-3 years in the broadcast or professional tech world.
• Digital Fluency: IP-based video/audio transport and streaming technologies—multi‑platform media is the future.
• Cool Under Pressure: On Air light is red, you stay calm and fix issues quickly.
• A Strategic Mindset: detail-oriented, self-motivated, and proactive about updates.
• Communication Skills: explain complex tech to non-technical producers.
• Road Warrior Spirit: clean driving record and readiness to support Nebraska properties with overnight stays.
• 24/7 Readiness: news operations require round-the-clock support.

Responsibilities

• Master the infrastructure: Maintain and evolve broadcast systems across Hastings, Grand Island, North Platte, and tower sites.
• Drive technical innovation: Implement a strategic plan to modernize technology.
• Support the storytellers: Provide engineering support for studios, post-editing suites, and field teams.
• Own the live moment: Ensure gear is ready for live broadcasts and streaming.
• Stay compliant: Manage FCC/FAA regulatory requirements for tech components.
• Monitor the pulse: Oversee air channels and transmitters to ensure high-quality HD output.
• Bridge the IT gap: Maintain server/desktop systems for newsgathering, weather, and graphics.

Skills

Broadcast engineering

IP video transport

Streaming technologies

Multi‑platform media

Education

Engineering or electronics degree

Tools

IP-based video transport

Streaming tech

Job description

About Gray Media:

Today, we are a growing multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the nation's largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 117 full-power television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of US television households. The portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 100 markets with the first and/or second highest-rated television station in average all-day ratings across 116 of such markets that were measured by Nielsen in 2025. We also own the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 47 markets and Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Our additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, as well as studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.

About KOLN/KSNB:

KOLN is the CBS affiliate in the Lincoln, Hastings, Kearney market. Located in the thriving capital city of Lincoln, the station is the area`s dominant news leader, with number one newscasts in every daypart. The 1011NOW news brand is well-known throughout the region as a trusted source for quality news, weather, and sports coverage.

Job Summary/Description:

Are you the kind of person who sees a complex technical glitch and thinks, \"Challenge accepted\"? Do you dream in gigabytes and broadcast frequencies, and thrive on the adrenaline of keeping a 24/7 operation running flawlessly? We’re looking for a Media Systems Engineer to be the technological heartbeat of our central and western Nebraska stations. Whether it’s maintaining massive tower sites or ensuring a live stream hits every phone in the state, you’ll be the wizard behind the curtain, making sure our communities stay connected and informed.

Duties/Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Master the infrastructure: Maintain and evolve broadcast systems across Hastings, Grand Island, North Platte, and every tower site in between (yes, you’re the guardian of the signal!).
• Drive technical innovation: Don’t just fix things—improve them. You’ll execute a strategic plan to keep our technology modern, digital-first, and ahead of the curve.
• Support the storytellers: Provide expert engineering for studios, post-editing suites, and field production teams so they can focus on telling great stories.
• Own the live moment: Ensure every piece of gear is ready for the spotlight during live broadcasts and streaming events, documenting and crushing technical hurdles before they hit the air.
• Stay compliant and sharp: Keep us in the good graces of the FCC and FAA by managing all regulatory requirements for our tech components.
• Monitor the pulse: Keep a close eye on multiple air channels and transmitters, ensuring our \"on-air\" product is always high-quality and high-definition.
• Bridge the IT gap: Use your deep knowledge of server and desktop operating systems to keep our newsgathering, weather, and graphic systems running at peak performance.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• The Foundation: An engineering or electronics degree (or equivalent experience) plus 2-3 years in the broadcast or professional tech world.
• Digital Fluency: You’re a pro with IP-based video/audio transport and streaming technologies—you know the future of media is multi-platform.
• Cool Under Pressure: When the \"On Air\" light is red, and something breaks, you’re the calmest person in the room.
• A Strategic Mindset: You’re detail-oriented, self-motivated, and always thinking two steps ahead of the next technical update.
• Communication Skills: You can explain complex tech to a non-technical producer without breaking a sweat.
• Road Warrior Spirit: You’ve got a clean driving record and are ready to hop in a company vehicle to support our Nebraska properties (with the occasional overnight stay).
• 24/7 Readiness: You understand that news doesn’t stop at 5:00 PM and are ready to support a round-the-clock operation.

KOLN/KSNB-TV/Gray Media is a drug-free company

Additional Info:

Gray Media provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Gray Media complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Gray Media expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Gray’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.