Senior Manager, Broadcast Engineering #563

Creates the overall vision for the Broadcast Engineering team, with a focus on the current SDI infrastructure while transitioning and optimizing IP-based broadcast environments, including SMPTE 2110 architectures. Leads audio and broadcast system development, including design, component selection, testing, and technology evaluation. Architects and advances media infrastructure, leading IP-based (SMPTE ST 2110) deployments and guiding the transition from SDI to hybrid systems. Oversees Broadcast Engineering operations, ensuring live, recording, and streaming workflows have a high system uptime and reliability through proactive monitoring, maintenance, and incident response, while staying hands-on with engineering work. Drives functional strategy, partnering with senior leadership to set plans, translate goals into engineering actions, and ensure effective execution. Develops and mentors engineering teams, establishing standards and best practices, ensuring documentation while building capabilities, and managing vendor relationships that support technical growth. Manages stakeholder alignment, budgets, and high-impact decisions to ensure resources, schedules, and outcomes meet long-term organizational needs. Other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• For conditions of employment and citizenship requirements, please visit the job announcement on the United States Senate Career Page at https://sen.gov/YO0NL.

Qualifications

Other Duties/ Responsibilities

• Guides cybersecurity, diversity, and redundancy strategies for broadcast systems.
• Manages the Recording Studio’s Continuity of Operations (COOP) efforts.

Required Work Experience

• At least 12 years of relevant experience in broadcast/media engineering, including 5 years in a leadership role, with direct experience in SMPTE ST 2110 and IP-based systems.

Required Special Skills/ Knowledge

• Ability to lead engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of live broadcast operations and large-scale production systems, including system design, redundancy, and upgrade planning.
• Expertise in SDI-to-IP transitions and modern media standards, including SMPTE ST 2110 and PTP-based timing.
• Deep understanding of network design for real-time media, including PTP, redundancy, and high availability.
• Proven ability to architect and implement end-to-end broadcast solutions across production, post-production, transmission, and distribution.
• Focus on facility uptime, monitoring, diversity, redundancy, and discrepancy resolution in mission-critical environments.
• Builds, mentors, and leads high-performing engineering teams while setting clear standards and expectations.
• Aligns technology strategy with SAA goals and successfully delivers complex projects, upgrades, and system migrations.
• Manages external partners and collaborates across production, IT, and executive teams to ensure successful outcomes.
• Clearly communicates complex technical concepts and makes sound, timely decisions under pressure.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with managers, engineering staff, co-workers, vendors, and the public, and communicates effectively using tact and diplomacy.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills in live environments, with demonstrated ability in vendor management and engineering staff development.
• Knowledge of the operational and maintenance characteristics of television and audio/video recording equipment, and of electronic engineering procedures as applied to television, radio, and networked audio equipment.
• Knowledge of fiber optic installation, termination, and measurement.
• Familiarity with networking protocols, cybersecurity practices, cloud technologies, and server administration.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently manage the operations of the Engineering section according to the guidelines established.
• Ability to design and develop broadcast communication systems and to appraise broadcast production equipment and software.
• Ability to read and create engineering drawings and documentation using technical applications such as CAD software.
• Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
• Ability to lead technical teams, delegate tasks, and manage schedules.
• Ability to convey technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and coordinate across departments.
• As part of our hiring process, we may conduct a skills assessment to better understand an applicant’s proficiency in key areas relevant to the role. 

Working Conditions

• Moderate (carrying items between 25–50 pounds).
• Work requires frequent physical effort walking, bending, crawling, and standing for long durations.
• Work requires the employee to be around high-voltage equipment or hot lights.
• Working on ladders, scaffolding, or stages.
• Working in confined spaces (bending and crawling).
• Work exposes the employee to noise and cold temperatures from the computer equipment.
• In the event of an emergency, the person in this position must report on-site within 2 hours.
• Since this position requires onsite presence in support of the U.S. Senate when in session, this position requires the employee to be available and prepared to work during a lapse in appropriations, in inclement weather, on holidays, and during late night, overnight, and weekend sessions. In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted.

Security Clearance

• This position requires that the applicant obtain and maintain a Top Secret U.S. Government security clearance.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens in order for the SAA to submit your application for a security clearance.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated by a panel on the quality and extent of your total accomplishments, experience, and education. Highly qualified candidates may be interviewed and a reference check conducted.

• Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.

Subject to background/security investigation.

Next steps