Senior Broadcast Transmission Engineer

WAMC is seeking a Senior Broadcast Transmission Engineer.

This person keeps the station's transmission systems running - troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing transmitters, antennas, STLs, and associated RF equipment to ensure reliable on-air operation. This role serves as the station's designated Chief Operator, performing routine equipment checks, logging readings, and ensuring the signal stays within FCC technical parameters at all times. Responsibilities include diagnosing and resolving transmission faults, coordinating tower and site maintenance, and planning equipment upgrades or replacements as systems age or fail. The role also directly supervises board operators - training them on proper procedures, covering shifts as needed, and handling scheduling and performance issues on the ground.

Full Job Description Here

Full-time, on-site. Starting Salary $68,000

Please submit a resume and cover letter to Stacey Rosenberry at srosenberry@wamc.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Full Job Description

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer

Responsibilities and Duties

Broadcast Engineering

• Maintain and troubleshoot transmitters, antennas, studio-transmitter links (STLs), audio consoles, and remote broadcast equipment
• Ensure continuous, high-quality on-air signal and streaming operations; respond promptly to outages, including after hours
• Oversee compliance with FCC rules, including EAS (Emergency Alert System), tower lighting, and licensing requirements
• Manage transmitter site visits, generator maintenance, and tower/facility inspections
• Plan and execute equipment upgrades, capital projects, and studio build-outs
• Maintain station technical files, records, logs, licenses, permits, authorizations and other required documentation including timely filing of license renewal and FCC Public File documents in conjunction with station management.

Leadership & Administration

• Supervise control room operators, and manage vendor and contractor relationships
• Research and recommend new technologies to improve efficiency, audio quality, and audience reach
• Maintain documentation of systems, technical procedures, and emergency protocols
• Serve as a technical liaison with other public media engineers, industry organizations (e.g., NPR, PBS, SBE), and regulatory bodies

Qualifications

• Proficiency in designing, installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing broadcast audio, and FM transmission automation and control systems
• Ability to understand and use schematics, flow charts and technical documentation
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair broadcast equipment
• Experience with basic TCP/IP networking
• Knowledge of FCC license and reporting requirements
• Valid driver’s license; position requires travel to remote transmitter sites
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., climb ladders, work in varied outdoor conditions on rooftops and in confined spaces
• Must have excellent vision (with or without corrective lenses) with ability to identify and distinguish colors
• Strong written and verbal communication and problem-solving skills
• A positive work attitude, a strong work ethic, and ability to work well with others
• Ability to prioritize and make changes to work plans without loss of efficiency
• Ability to make well-informed decisions quickly while under pressure
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and non-standard shifts in emergency situations as required
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Communications, or a related field; or equivalent experience in the maintenance, repair and design of broadcast audio systems and FM broadcast transmission systems.

Salary Range $68,000 - $77,000 annually

WAMC is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy of WAMC that all employees and applicants for employment will be treated and considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, veteran status, familial status, domestic violence status, arrest or conviction record, or any other protected classification.

WAMC Community Representation Policy Statement

WAMC is the home of curiosity, community and free speech for our region. We connect communities, amplify diverse stories, and enrich lives through independent journalism, thoughtful conversation, and cultural expression.

WAMC strives to reflect our community in our staffing, board of trustees, committees, and in the educational, informational, and cultural content we provide.

The overall goal of WAMC is to provide programming as varied as the human experience. Our two discrete program streams provide a unique blend of national and regional news and information, opinion and commentary, artistic, cultural, and musical programming to listeners in portions of seven states. We continue to produce and invest in programs that offer diverse perspectives on important issues.

In our journalism, diversity means the inclusion in our reporting of the vastly different voices and opinions of mis or under-represented people and those often ignored.