WTHR, the TEGNA-owned NBC affiliate in Indianapolis, is seeking a
Broadcast Engineer Lead to drive innovation and maintain excellence across our broadcast and IT infrastructure. This is a pivotal role for a technical visionary who balances hands-on expertise with strategic project leadership.
The Broadcast Engineer Lead is responsible for shaping system design decisions, defining local engineering standards, and leading complex projects that directly impact station operations. Operating with significant autonomy, you will not only execute tasks but also take full accountability for technical outcomes, ensuring our 24/7 environment remains resilient, modern, and efficient.
Key Responsibilities- Technical Leadership & Ownership
- System Accountability: Serve as the primary technical owner for key broadcast and IT systems; ensure reliability, scalability, and long-term performance.
- Strategic Direction: Make independent decisions regarding system architecture and technical standards within corporate guidelines.
- Modernization: Proactively identify opportunities for upgrades and recommend technology roadmaps aligned with evolving business needs.
- Influence & Mentorship: Act as the technical authority and escalation point for engineering staff; mentor team members by setting direction and reviewing work for quality.
- Project Leadership & Design
- End-to-End Project Management: Lead the planning, technical design, and execution of major local, capital, and corporate engineering projects.
- Scope & Risk: Establish project scope, technical approaches, sequencing, and risk mitigation strategies to ensure timely delivery.
- Systems Integration: Design and approve the integration of studios, control rooms, transmission infrastructure, automation, and digital asset management systems.
- Stakeholder Coordination: Liaise with corporate engineering, vendors, IT security, and station leadership to translate technical strategy into business outcomes.
- Operational Excellence & Compliance
- System Maintenance: Maintain and upgrade infrastructure including servers, storage, workstations, network systems, and assist with facilities coordination of HVAC, UPS, and backup power.
- Complex Troubleshooting: Oversee the resolution of systemic issues and manage technical support documentation to minimize downtime.
- Security & Regulatory Standards: Ensure strict adherence to FCC regulations, IT security protocols, OSHA requirements, and disaster recovery readiness.
- Documentation: Define and maintain rigorous local engineering standards, wiring documentation, and operating procedures.
Qualifications- Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Information Technology, or a related field; equivalent professional experience also considered.
- Experience: Minimum 5 years in broadcast operations/technology with a proven track record of leading complex technical projects.
- Technical Expertise: Hands-on experience with broadcast systems, networking, servers, and desktop support. Knowledge of satellite, microwave, and IP newsgathering technologies is highly preferred.
- Leadership Skills: Strong ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems under high pressure, and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Operational Flexibility: Willingness to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, holidays and participate in an on-call rotation to support a 24/7 news operation.
Benefits:TEGNA offers comprehensive benefits designed to safeguard the physical, mental and financial health of our employees and their families. TEGNA offers two medical plan options for full and part-time employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, as well as access to dental and eye care coverage; fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance; disability and life insurance.
Our 401(k) program offers full, part-time and temporary employees the opportunity to contribute 1% - 80% of their pay on a pre-tax basis to TEGNA's 401(k). Contributions made up to the first 4% of pay are eligible for a 100% match from the company and are 100% vested from day one.
Regardless of participation in TEGNA medical plans, ALL employees and their eligible family members receive nine free virtual doctor's appointments with a physician through Teladoc, and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
TEGNA offers a generous Paid Time Off (PTO) benefit as well as nine paid holidays per year.
* Some jobs are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and thus some or all of the benefits described herein may not apply. For example, some newsroom bargaining unit employees receive health and retirement benefits under plans administered by the union.
