Broadcast - Assistant Chief Engineer

Hearst•Lancaster, PA

10h

About The Position

WGAL, a Hearst Television-owned NBC affiliate serving the Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, Pennsylvania market, is hiring an Assistant Chief Engineer. The role helps lead technical professionals across studio operations, IT, and RF while organizing, planning, managing, documenting, and completing work in a live broadcast environment. It oversees broadcast equipment and the execution of local and corporate systems deployments and upgrades. The Assistant Chief Engineer monitors multiple air channels, maintains regulatory compliance, and ensures the quality of the on-air product. The position provides technical leadership and day-to-day direction to Engineering and Technical Operations teams, oversees equipment and infrastructure across multiple sites, supports staff development and technical planning, and provides leadership for the Technical Department when the Chief Engineer is absent. It also supports capital projects, operational scheduling, facility management, vendor relationships, and a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented, safety-focused work environment. The schedule must be flexible for operational needs and includes evenings, weekends, holidays, and 24-hour emergency responses.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in television broadcast operations or maintenance.
Demonstrated technical leadership or supervisory experience, including assigning work, coaching employees, and leading technical projects.
Strong understanding of the complete broadcast signal chain, including RF transmission, studio production, routing, distribution, and monitoring systems.
Hands-on experience diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing broadcast and production equipment at the system, board, and component levels.
Working knowledge of transmitters, antennas, satellite systems, signal-routing equipment, studio systems, test equipment, and IP-based broadcasting technologies.
Knowledge of FCC technical requirements, licensing, recordkeeping, and broadcast compliance.
Experience with broadcast IT systems, networking, network security, and infrastructure support.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, signal-flow diagrams, schematics, equipment manuals, and system documentation.
Ability to manage competing priorities and make sound technical decisions in time-sensitive or high-pressure situations.
Ability to lift 50 pounds, climb ladders, work at heights, and perform physical activities associated with equipment installation and maintenance, with reasonable accommodation.
Current driver’s license.
Flexible schedule for operational needs, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and participation in 24-hour emergency responses.

Nice To Haves

Experience with AutoCAD.
Higher education in technology, relevant SBE certification, or related military experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership and day-to-day direction to Engineering and Technical Operations teams.
Oversee the operation, reliability, and maintenance of studio, field, transmission, and production equipment across multiple sites.
Assign daily priorities, communicate expectations, and guide technical staff in troubleshooting, maintenance, and project implementation.
Diagnose and resolve broadcast-system issues from RF transmission and signal distribution through equipment- and component-level troubleshooting.
Maintain transmitters, satellite antenna systems, microwave and RF systems, signal-routing and distribution systems, and related infrastructure.
Oversee the integrity, security, reliability, and maintenance of broadcast IT systems, networks, and infrastructure.
Train and coach team members on equipment operation, maintenance procedures, safety requirements, FCC regulations, and broadcast standards.
Assist the Chief Engineer with employee development, performance management, departmental training, and long-term technical planning.
Provide leadership and decision-making for the Technical Department in the Chief Engineer’s absence.
Assist with planning and execution of capital projects, system upgrades, equipment installation, and facility improvements.
Work with the Operations Manager to develop schedules supporting Master Control, Production, Technical, and other operational needs.
Ensure technical staff have the tools, test equipment, supplies, documentation, and information needed to perform their responsibilities.
Maintain compliance with applicable FCC rules, licensing requirements, safety standards, and company policies.
Establish and maintain productive relationships with local vendors, contractors, and service providers.
Support facility and physical-plant management across multiple locations.
Promote a collaborative, accountable, service-oriented, and safety-focused work environment.