Director of Engineering

Department: Information Technology

Classification: Media Specialist 4

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Pay Band: 05

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Motor Vehicle Records Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Division of Instructional Technology fosters and supports the university community in the use of technology for learning and teaching. Educational Media Services (EdMS) supports the university by creating learning, educational, informational and promotional content and materials in a variety of media formats and across various systems. Included under the EdMS umbrella, are George Mason University Television and Collaborative Video Technologies.

About the Position:

The Director of Engineering is responsible for the design, integration, installation, operation and maintenance of EdMS equipment and facilities. Provides operational, troubleshooting and maintenance oversight of broadcast, production, post-production, and video conferencing equipment. Works to ensure, improve (and restore if necessary) a quality signal. Establishes routine maintenance procedures and schedules. Inspects, maintains and installs studio, control, editing, field, video conferencing and related equipment as assigned. Creates designs, modifies equipment and backup systems throughout EdMS. Researches, implements and recommends capital purchases. Responsible for assisting with assigned GMU-TV productions.

Responsibilities:

Broadcast/AVoIP Engineering

• Supports and maintains an active production facility. Repairs, calibrates and installs audio & video broadcast/IT equipment. This includes:
  • Equipment within the production and post-production facilities such as control rooms and studios (cameras, switchers, audio mixers, multi-viewers, intercom system, monitors, graphic equipment, server/playback, etc.);
  • Edit suites (computers monitors, fiber transmission, edit server and network, asset management system and archiving systems);
  • Field production equipment (flypack, cameras, tripods, microphones, lights, etc.); and
  • Related supporting infrastructure in terminal gear/data center and master control areas, transmission sites and throughout any broadcast infrastructure plants supported by the team (A/V routers and switches, data routers, RF/fiber transmission, tally, signal processing gear, CATV system, etc.).

• Conducts routine preventive maintenance on all equipment in the studio control room, edit and field environments;
• Establishes routine maintenance procedures and schedules;
• Provides equipment troubleshooting and minor equipment repair, and manufacture cable as necessary;
• Installs, upgrades, and maintains hardware, software, and peripherals;
• Troubleshoots and resolves hardware and software problems, both workstation and server; and
• Back-up or assists other support groups and clients for systems and IT/PC gear, including installation, problem correction, removal/replacement, or other tasks as necessary to ensure continuity of operations. 

Design and Installation

• Designs, integrates and installs GMU-TV equipment and facilities;
• Researches and recommends capital purchases;
• Participates on technology design, installation, and integration projects with complex technology in an increasingly broadcast IP and IT centric environment. This includes: broadcast and server-based systems, data networking (e.g., routers, switches) and other comparable equipment;
• Follows state procurement guidelines for equipment purchases and studio enhancements;
• Stays abreast of new developments and enhancements in the industry and evaluates their application to GMU-TV. Consults with GM and vendors regarding production, infrastructure & transmission issues, needs, and improvements;
• Prior to any system cutover resulting from an upgrade, installation, or major enhancement, ensures comprehensive test plans are in place that will thoroughly test the system features and functionality, before the project is considered complete. Included in the plan should be a ‘back-out” process to restore systems to pre-cutover condition in case features and functionality do not perform satisfactorily. Also, included should be any signal path or function drawings associated with the change; and
• Identifies new applications for technology, based on customer need. 

Facility Documentation 

• Creates and/or maintains system diagrams;
• Documents quality standards, system anomalies, operational procedures, reference materials, and project work;
• Documents, creates, and maintains, back-ups of standard software configurations;
• Maintains documentation on software versions for all applicable hardware and tracks all software licenses and relevant maintenance contract;
• Based on industry best practices, ensures all software versions are updated in a timely manner;
• Maintains correct equipment inventory for GMU-TV fixed assets; and
• Completes inventory activities within the university’s deadlines. 

Production Support 

• Interprets and implements instructions and requests from producers, directors and other colleagues;
• Communicates effectively with the team and other colleagues to understand the technical requirements of all productions;
• Identifies all production equipment and facility needs and proactively ensures everything is operational for all productions;
• Assists with the set-up, strike and operation of equipment as assigned;
• Provides video system timing and/or color shading support for productions;
• Provides technical support within and outside of the department as assigned; and
• Follows through on support requests in a timely manner, escalating to other members of the team or manufacturer support when appropriate. 

Required Qualifications:

• Vocational or technical training in related field;
• Must have significant experience in broadcast systems and post-production networks troubleshooting, maintenance and design;
• Considerable (typically five or more years) experience in television, multimedia content, IT client service or broadcast maintenance capacity, with a demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and repair broadcast and computer equipment at the board level;
• Demonstrated experience with television or multimedia production workflows;
• Demonstrated proficiency in all aspects of the aesthetic standards and production techniques of broadcast television with specific areas of knowledge and experience in audiovisual and broadcast engineering services;
• Experience designing, installing, configuring, integrating, operating, maintaining and troubleshooting existing and expanding multimedia and broadcast systems;
• Knowledge of computer desktop hardware/applications and data networking;
• Knowledge of technology planning and operations management;
• Familiarity with basic server, networking topology and operating systems (e.g., Windows, Unix, etc.);
• Familiarity with broadcast and IPTV engineering equipment (such as production switchers, audio consoles, routers (NVision), AVoIP systems, AV switches, monitors, intercom systems, cameras, character generators, Apple OS, shared storage networks, and streaming technology);
• Understanding of TCP/IP networks;
• Understanding of the theory and operation of professional studio and field production equipment and on- and off-line editing software and hardware;
• Demonstrate significant attention to detail and procedures;
• Demonstrate technical proficiency of unit-based services and systems;
• Ability to read and understand system signal flow diagrams for television control room and studio facilities;
• Ability to maintain and repair audiovisual, cable television equipment;
• Ability to research and develop implementation strategies to organize, to distribute and to archive multimedia content;
• Ability to prioritize and address multiple tasks and projects in a dynamic work environment;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and internal/external contacts and communicate well with non-technical audiences;
• Ability to apply technology solutions that resolve customer problems or address customer needs;
• Ability to work alone and/or as a member of a group; and
• Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field;
• Some (typically one year) experience in AVoIP environment; and
• Experience in AutoCAD/VISIO.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Director of Engineering at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: April 24, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  May 8, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes