Description

The Rocky Mountain Community Radio (RMCR) Regional Broadcast Engineer supports RMCR member stations by strengthening technical systems, reducing engineering risk, improving documentation and infrastructure visibility, and helping build a more resilient engineering support network across the Rocky Mountain region.

This is a shared-service and support role designed to complement, not replace, existing station operations management, engineers, contractors, and local technical staff. The role emphasizes coordination, preventive maintenance, documentation, project implementation, remote monitoring, mentorship, and long-term system resilience.

Because RMCR member stations vary significantly in location, technical infrastructure, staffing, and local resources, flexibility, travel, communication, and relationship-building are central to this position.

The engineer will also support technical training and mentorship for future interns, apprentices, or regional trainees, including up to three trainees placed in regions with concentrations of member stations.

Requirements

Technical Support and Engineering Coordination

• Provide technical support to RMCR member stations for broadcast, studio, transmission, monitoring, and IP-based systems.
• Assist with maintaining, designing, installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and improving technical systems.
• Support prioritized station projects identified through the RMCR assessment process.
• Coordinate with existing station engineers, contractors, vendors, and staff without replacing local control.
• Help identify, document, and prioritize technical risks across member stations.
• Assist with emergency troubleshooting and response when appropriate and within the agreed service model.

Broadcast, RF, Studio, and IT Systems

• Support RF transmission systems, AM/FM transmitters, translators, STL/TSL systems, satellite receive systems, audio routing, automation systems, streaming systems, encoders, and studio equipment.
• Support LAN/WAN systems, managed switches, firewalls, VLANs, VPNs, wireless links, remote access systems, and IP-based broadcast infrastructure.
• Assist with monitoring systems, remote control systems, UPS systems, generators, electrical power systems, HVAC-related site concerns, grounding, and related site-support systems.
• Stay current with evolving broadcast, RF, IT, networking, software, monitoring, and distribution technologies.

Documentation, Standardization, and Preventive Maintenance

• Develop and share documentation standards and best practices for member stations.
• Help create and update air-chain diagrams, system maps, equipment inventories, wiring documentation, maintenance records, site information, procedures, access policies, and known-risk documentation.
• Evaluate current systems, access policies, and documentation practices.
• Help stations evaluate and implement appropriate remote monitoring and remote access systems based on local policies, security needs, and station approval.
• Support preventive maintenance planning, monitoring, alerting, and efforts to reduce emergency failures.
  Project Implementation
• Lead or assist with prioritized technical projects.
• Support equipment replacement planning, infrastructure upgrades, and phased technical planning.
• Work with vendors, contractors, and station staff to support successful project completion.
• Use station projects as opportunities for documentation, training, and shared learning.

FCC Compliance and Technical Operations

• Support stations with FCC technical compliance, EAS systems, technical records, transmitter logs, and coordination with designated Chief Operators where applicable.
• Assist stations in identifying compliance-related technical risks.
• Support engineering-related FCC filings, translators, transmitters, and facility-change planning when appropriate.

Training, Workforce Development, and Peer Learning

• Help train and mentor future interns, apprentices, or regional trainees through project-based work at RMCR member stations.
• Provide technical guidance and model best practices in documentation, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, remote monitoring, and station support.
• Work with the Project Coordinator on trainee scheduling, station communication, training logistics, and administrative tracking.
• Assist with development of training materials and participate in technical education opportunities.
• Support monthly office hours, calls, technical discussion groups, and peer-learning opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for shared tools, shared equipment, coordinated purchasing, and peer problem-solving.

Required Experience and Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of broadcast engineering, RF, IT/networking, or related technical experience.
• Demonstrated experience installing, maintaining, and repairing RF systems, AM/FM transmitters, translators, STL systems, satellite receive systems, streaming systems, and studio systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of networking, automation, remote monitoring, and IP-based broadcast systems.
• Understanding of FCC technical compliance requirements and technical filings.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong communication, documentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to explain technical concepts to varying audiences.
• Valid driver’s license and excellent driving record.
• Ability to travel regularly across the RMCR service region.