Broadcast Engineer

Typical Salary

£20,000 To £50,000

Typical Hours

42 to 44 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Broadcast Engineer

You can get into this job through:

a university course
an apprenticeship
working towards this role
volunteering
an in-house training scheme

College / University

You'll need a degree to apply for a graduate training scheme with a broadcaster. Useful subjects include:

broadcast engineering
broadcast technology
electronics
physics
computer science

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

Apprenticeship

You can get started by doing a broadcast and media systems technical operator advanced apprenticeship or a broadcast and media systems engineer degree apprenticeship.

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

Routes into this Career

You could start work with a broadcaster as a production assistant and later apply for a place on an in-house engineer training scheme.

You could also begin as a broadcast technician, for example after an apprenticeship, then do further training on the job to become an engineer.

Other Routes

You can start on an in-house engineering training scheme like the BBC's degree apprenticeship.

You can apply for the BBC Broadcast Engineering Graduate Scheme, if you have an honours degree or equivalent in electronics, physics, maths, computer science or a related subject.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
the ability to work well with others
broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
to be flexible and open to change
knowledge of maths
knowledge of media production and communication
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Day To Day Tasks

You could:

set up studio equipment for transmission and editing
design and set up audio and video circuits
install multimedia hardware, software and digital broadcast technology systems
set up and operate links between studios and outside broadcast (OB) units
edit programmes live as they’re being transmitted or recorded
test and service equipment
find and repair technical faults

Working Environment

You could work at a TV studio, at a film studio or in a workshop.

Your working environment may be outdoors in all weathers and you'll travel often.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

You'll find it useful to get practical experience using broadcast technology equipment, as competition for places on training schemes is strong. You could get this through:

student film and TV productions
community or hospital radio
a placement with a broadcaster

Tips & Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can apply for professional registration with the Engineering Council for Information and Communications Technology Technician or Chartered Engineer status. Registration can improve your career prospects.

Further information

You can find out more about working in the media industry from ScreenSkills, ITV Careers and Sky.

You can get information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.