Broadcasting Engineer

Broadcasting engineers install, operate, maintain and repair the equipment used to make and broadcast radio and television programmes.

The Work

You could be:

• maintaining, testing and aligning the equipment used in radio broadcasting, such as control and switching systems and audio frequency equipment


• responsible for the audio and video equipment used in television for studio recordings and for network and outside broadcasts or webcasts


• installing new equipment and facilities or networks
• researching and developing new broadcasting techniques
• analysing and fixing technical faults


• maintaining the permanent cable and radio links which operate between studios and transmitters


• responsible for transmitting stations and the equipment based in them, such as receivers and test equipment


• advising on studio design, improving services and buying equipment.

Conditions

• Many broadcasting engineers are based in major towns or cities, but if you are responsible for a transmitting station you may be based in a rural area.


• Working hours can be long and irregular. Shift work covering evenings, weekends and nights is common. The media business is 24/7.


• Outside broadcast work can involve working in isolated locations and in poor weather conditions, but the work can be extremely varied and interesting.


• You may have to work abroad in dangerous situations, including war zones.

Getting In

• You normally start as a broadcast engineer trainee with a broadcasting company.
• For this, you usually need a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or degree in a relevant subject such as electrical engineering, electronic engineering or broadcast technology.


• For entry to an HNC or HND course you normally need 1-2 Highers plus some Standard grades. For a degree course you need 3-5 Highers normally including Maths and Physics or Technological Studies.


• You may be able to qualify by other training routes.
• You might start work as a runner for a broadcasting company and then apply for in-house engineering training.
• You usually need to have relevant work experience for entry. This could be unpaid work in student film production, hospital radio or a work placement in broadcasting.
• You should have normal hearing and colour vision.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• a strong interest in the media and broadcast technology


• good technical knowledge of systems and equipment


• a creative approach to solving problems


• excellent IT skills
• good communication skills


• stamina and fitness


• a strong awareness of health and safety and relevant legislation.

• understand and use technical manuals


• plan and organise programmes of work


• work to timetables and meet tight deadlines, usually under pressure


• work on your own and also as part of a team with others including producers and directors
• use your initiative, think on your feet and improvise


• be flexible and versatile - multi-skilling is important.

Training

• After gaining your HNC, HND or degree and some further training with an employer, you can register with the Engineering Council as a professional engineer - either as Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).


• For IEng you need to have either a recognised Bachelors degree or a recognised HNC or HND plus further study to Bachelors degree level.


• For CEng you need to have a recognised Bachelors degree with Honours plus a recognised Masters degree (or equivalent), or a recognised integrated Master of Engineering (MEng) degree.


• If you do not have any of the above qualifications, you may still be able to achieve IEng or CEng by other approved routes. You can check these alternative routes with the Engineering Council or with the appropriate professional engineering institution.


• You will need to keep up to date with changes in technology and the introduction of new equipment.

Getting On

• Broadcasting engineers who first qualify as IEng can progress to CEng after further training and experience. This can open up a wider range of opportunities.


• You would usually start as a junior engineer assistant and progress, as an engineer, through work in transmission or communications.


• You may need to move around the country to gain promotion.


• There may be opportunities to become self-employed and work freelance.


• Some engineers may move into teaching in colleges or universities.


• There may be opportunities to work abroad.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

• The Engineering Council sets and maintains the standards of the engineering profession in the UK. It does so through 36 professional engineering institutions which are Licensed Members of the Engineering Council.


• The Enginuity website has more information at http://www.enginuity.org.uk/
• The BBC Recruitment website lists short term unpaid work experience placements which can help you get into a paid job.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.