Assistant Chief Engineer

Job Description

KATV, Channel 7 the Arkansas leader in local news and broadcasting innovation, is looking for a hands-on Assistant Chief Engineer who’s ready to help shape the next chapter of our technical future.

If you’re the kind of engineer who thrives on solving problems, learning new systems, mentoring others, and keeping broadcast operations running strong no matter what, you’ll fit right in here. At KATV, we take pride in doing things the right way, supporting one another, and building technology that keeps Arkansas connected.

What You’ll Do:

• Work side-by-side with the Chief Engineer and our talented team to keep KATV’s studio and transmitter on Shinall Mountain running at peak performance.
• Support daily newscasts, special events, and live productions, from the control room to the field, ensuring our viewers get a flawless broadcast every time.
• Troubleshoot and maintain a wide range of systems, including Ross automation, Wheatstone audio, RF and STL systems, IT infrastructure, and AWS cloud distribution.
• Assist with the ongoing rollout of Project Lightspeed, transmitter upgrades, and other major engineering initiatives.
• Serve as a go-to technical leader when challenges arise, providing support and expertise to all departments across the station.
• Maintain, document, and improve workflows for equipment, networking, and system reliability.
• Participate in an on-call rotation to support operations during critical news and weather events.

Who You Are:

• A natural problem-solver who enjoys both the hands-on technical work and the collaborative team side of engineering.
• Experienced in broadcast, IT, or RF systems, or ready to bring strong technical skills and curiosity to grow in those areas.
• Comfortable leading projects, mentoring others, and keeping calm under pressure.
• Motivated by doing meaningful work that keeps your community informed and your station running smoothly.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs, work on ladders when needed, and hold a valid driver’s license.

Bonus Skills:

• Familiarity with FCC regulations and SBE certifications
• Experience with transmitter maintenance, satellite systems, or microwave links
• Knowledge of AVID, XPression, ClearCom, LiveU, or similar broadcast technologies
• Understanding of networking, IP routing, and basic cyber security principles

Why KATV

This isn’t just a job, it’s a place where engineering and purpose meet.

You’ll be part of a close-knit local team with a long history of innovation, supported by industry veterans who take pride in mentoring the next generation of engineers. You’ll have the chance to work with cutting-edge systems while still keeping one foot in the roots of what makes broadcast special, reliability, creativity, and community impact.

We offer competitive pay, great benefits, professional growth opportunities, and a chance to work on projects that matter right here in Arkansas.

If you’re ready to grow your career, lead meaningful work, and join a team that values skill, integrity, and family, we’d love to meet you.

Qualification

• Familiarity with FCC regulations and SBE certifications
• Experience with transmitter maintenance, satellite systems, or microwave links
• Knowledge of AVID, XPression, ClearCom, LiveU, or similar broadcast technologies
• Understanding of networking, IP routing, and basic cyber security principles