Systems Support Engineer - Big Ten Network

FOX Sports; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

FOX Sports is seeking a Systems Support Engineer to ensure high availability of IT network infrastructure and core media production systems. You will bridge enterprise networking and broadcast IT, focusing on IP multicast, ST 2110, and end-user support in a fast-paced environment.

You will own network documentation and support creative workflows in editing suites, ingest, and graphics pipelines, while participating in on-call rotations for live events and breaking news.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in a broadcast facility or media IT role.
• Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, VLANs, DHCP, DNS.
• Experience with IP Multicast (PIM, IGMPv2/v3) and SMPTE ST 2110.
• Hands-on with Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro) and Grass Valley Stratus/K2.
• Able to provide excellent end-user support in fast-paced live environments.
• Able to analyze and resolve issues during high-stakes broadcasts.
• Document IP schemes and maintain SOPs.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimize the core broadcast network infrastructure for uncompressed video, audio, and metadata over IP.
• Configure and manage IGMP snooping, PIM, and non-blocking multicast architectures.
• Monitor network performance, bandwidth, and QoS to prevent packet loss and jitter.
• Own comprehensive IP documentation across the facility: topologies, VLAN maps, subnet allocations, multicast addresses.
• Plan upgrades and migrations (e.g., SDI/POTS to ST 2110 IP cores, switch replacements, ISP cutovers).
• Develop SOPs, runbooks, and end-user guides for smooth operations.

Skills

IP Multicast

TCP/IP

VLANs

IGMP/PIM

Broadcast networking

Customer service

On-call support

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Network Engineering/CS/Broadcast

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Premiere Pro

Grass Valley Stratus

K2 storage

VizRT

Ross Xpression

Job description

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Fox Sports FOX Sports, the industry leader in live events, is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes, as well as a joint-venture business in the Big Ten Network and digital properties including http://FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App. FOX Sports has delivered the most watched television program, NFL’s America’s Game of the Week on FOX, for fourteen consecutive years.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Big Ten Network is currently seeking a highly skilled, adaptable, and detail-oriented Systems Support Engineer to join our broadcast engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for ensuring the high availability, performance, and operational continuity of both our IT network infrastructure and core media production systems. The ideal candidate bridges the gap between enterprise-level networking and daily end-user broadcast support. You will focus heavily on maintaining complex network infrastructures—specifically IP Multicast routing (SMPTE ST 2110 / AES67), facility-wide IP documentation, and network migration planning—while actively supporting our creative and technical teams across edit suites, ingest workflows, and live graphics platforms. Above all, you bring a customer-service-first attitude, acting as an approachable, proactive partner to production staff, editors, operators, and engineering colleagues alike.

A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Network Architecture & Multicast Management

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize the core broadcast network infrastructure, ensuring seamless transport of uncompressed video, audio, and metadata over IP
• Configure and manage IGMP snooping, IGMP querying, PIM (Sparse/Dense mode), and non-blocking multicast architectures critical for live broadcast environments
• Monitor network performance, bandwidth utilization, and Quality of Service (QoS) parameters to proactively prevent packet loss and jitter in live streams

Documentation & Migration Planning

• Own and maintain comprehensive, highly accurate IP documentation for the entire facility, including logical/physical network topologies, VLAN maps, subnet allocations, and multicast address assignments
• Act as a core technical resource in planning and executing facility upgrades and network migrations (e.g., transitions from legacy SDI/POTS to ST 2110 IP cores, switch replacements, or ISP cutovers)
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), runbooks, and end-user guides to streamline system operation and onboarding

Operations & User Support

• Deliver elite, customer-focused technical support with an empathetic, clear, and proactive communication style
• Assist with routine desktop, OS, and software support for production workstations and control room surfaces
• Participate in an on-call rotation to support live, high-profile events and breaking news environments

Creative Services Support

• Provide tier‑2/3 technical and operational support for critical post‑production, ingest, and live playback systems
• Edit Suites: Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize Adobe Creative Cloud environments (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Media Encoder) connected to shared storage infrastructures
• Ingest & Content Management: Support Grass Valley Stratus ingest workflows, asset management, and playback servers to ensure reliable media capture and transfer
• Broadcast Graphics: Support and maintain real‑time graphics systems, including VizRT and Ross Xpression engines, control software, and hardware output cards
• Diagnose and resolve software glitches, hardware failures, codec mismatches, and workflow bottlenecks quickly to keep production schedules moving smoothly

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

• 3+ years in a broadcast facility, live production environment, or media‑focused IT role
• Deep understanding of TCP/IP, VLANs, VRFs, DHCP, DNS, and non‑blocking switch architectures
• Demonstrated experience with IP Multicast (PIM, IGMPv2/v3) and familiarity with standards like SMPTE ST 2110, ST 2022‑6/7, AES67, and PTP (IEEE 1588)
• Hands‑on experience supporting Adobe Creative Cloud (specifically Premiere Pro), Grass Valley Stratus / K2 storage platforms, and live broadcast graphics systems (VizRT, Ross Xpression)
• Strong service orientation with a genuine passion for helping end users solve technical challenges in fast‑paced production environments
• Ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve system issues calmly during high‑stakes live broadcasts or tight edit deadlines
• Meticulous approach to tracking assets, documenting IP schemes, and executing routine maintenance windows without disrupting air

NICE TO HAVE BUT NOT A DEALBREAKDER

• Bachelor’s degree in Network Engineering, Computer Science, Broadcast Technology, or equivalent hands‑on professional experience
• Ubiquiti UniFi ecosystem management (configuring and maintaining UniFi switches, access points, security gateways, and UniFi Network Application environments)
• Cisco CCNP/CCIE or Arista ACE certification
• Experience with network documentation and monitoring tools (NetBox, Visio, Wireshark, SolarWinds, Grafana)
• Familiarity with broadcast control systems and NMOS standards (IS‑04/IS‑05)

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 $39.75-57.69 per hour. This role is also eligible for 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.