Broadcast engineer
Broadcast engineers set up and maintain the equipment used to transmit programmes made in a studio and on location.
- Starter salary£27,000 a year
- Experienced£55,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 45 a week
What you'll do
As a broadcast engineer, you could:
- set up and test studio equipment
- install multimedia hardware, software and digital broadcast technology
- operate links between studios and outside broadcast (OB) units
- edit programmes live as they're being transmitted or recorded
- make sure broadcasts meet quality standards
- respond to technical issues and fix them
- service and maintain equipment
- supervise trainee engineering assistants
Working environment
You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio, in a workshop or on location.
Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to work well with others
- knowledge of media production and communication
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to be flexible and open to change
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
How to become a broadcast engineer
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could do a higher national diploma or degree in broadcast engineering. Employers may also accept related subjects, such as:
- electronic or electrical engineering
- physics
- telecoms engineering
- computer science
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You may be able to find a trainee position in broadcast engineering after doing a college course. Courses include:
- electrical or electronic engineering
- creative media production and technology
- electronic systems engineering
- computing
- T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a broadcaster or production company, such as:
- Broadcast and Media Systems Technical Operator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete and combine on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
- 2 or more A levels, or equivalent, including maths and science, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
Work
If you already work for a broadcast or production company in a different role, for example a maintenance assistant, you might be able to start a broadcast engineering trainee scheme or apprenticeship, with the company you work for.
Volunteering
You'll find it useful to get practical experience using broadcasting equipment, as there is a lot of competition for places on training schemes.
You can get experience through:
- student film, TV and theatre productions
- community or student radio
- live events and festivals
- work placements with a broadcaster
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- become a senior engineer, overseeing broadcast planning and design
- specialise in particular operations, like satellite communications or picture and audio quality
- work as a broadcast technical consultant, advising companies on how best to set up equipment in a studio or on location
Many engineers work freelance, so it's important to keep up to date with developments in technology.
Career tips
Some of the larger broadcasters run their own training schemes, for instance:
- BBC Careers
- Channel 4 Careers
- ITV Careers
- Sky Careers
Guides for this industry
Related roles
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- Job roleAudio visual technician
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