DVB & Playout Engineer

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DVB & Playout Engineer
Location: Rome, Italy
Email: jobs@ikomg.com.
Type: Full time, On Site
Language: English

Job Description:

The DVB & Playout Engineer will be responsible for ensuring the seamless transmission of television or radio broadcasts from our playout centre. This includes maintaining and monitoring the automation systems, managing scheduled broadcasts, and troubleshooting any technical issues to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality transmission.

Development, implementation, and support of Digital Video Broadcasting systems, ensuring high-quality signal transmission and reception. This role requires a thorough understanding of DVB standards, signal processing, and network protocols, as well as hands-on experience with broadcast equipment and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities:

  •  System Design and Development:
    • Design and configure DVB networks, ensuring compliance with DVB/ATSC standards.
    • Monitor automated playout systems to ensure that all scheduled events (e.g., live broadcasts, advertisements, promos) are transmitted on time and without interruption.
  • Signal Quality Management:
    • Monitor, measure, and analyze signal quality using specialized tools to identify and resolve issues.
    • Optimize signal quality and reliability by adjusting parameters such as modulation, error correction, and signal strength.
  • Equipment Configuration and Maintenance:
    • Install, configure, and maintain DVB headend equipment, including, encoders, decoders, multiplexers, and other broadcasting hardware.
    • Perform routine checks, maintenance, and updates on broadcasting equipment to prevent outages or degradation.
  • System Maintenance and Monitoring:
    • Regularly monitor playout servers, automation software, and associated equipment to maintain optimal performance.
    • Perform routine maintenance on playout systems, including updates, backups, and preventive care to minimize downtime.
  • Fault Detection and Troubleshooting:
    • Identify and resolve any on-air issues, such as signal loss, audio/video quality problems, and system malfunctions, in real time.
    • Coordinate with engineering teams to troubleshoot and repair faulty equipment or software, minimizing impact on broadcast operations.
  • Playlist and Content Management:
    • Manage playlists, schedules, and media assets to ensure accurate and timely playout.
    • Verify media assets for correct metadata, timing, and formatting requirements.
  • Technical Documentation and Compliance:
    • Maintain accurate logs and documentation of broadcast schedules, incidents, and maintenance activities.
    • Ensure that all broadcast practices and systems comply with regulatory and industry standards.
  • Collaboration and Communication:
    • Work closely with content schedulers, broadcast operators, and IT teams to coordinate content delivery.
    • Communicate with other departments to anticipate and address any potential technical issues before they impact broadcast operations.
    • Work closely with other engineering teams, NOC, IT staff, and technical support to ensure seamless operation and service delivery.
    • Provide technical guidance and support to junior engineers and Operators.
  • Testing and Troubleshooting:
    • Conduct end-to-end testing of broadcasting systems, analyzing and addressing issues related to signal quality, compression, encoding, and encryption.
    • Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to DVB systems, liaising with vendors and manufacturers for complex problems.
  • Documentation and Compliance:
    • Maintain detailed documentation of all configurations, changes, and operational procedures.
    • Ensure that all broadcasting equipment and practices comply with industry regulations and DVB standards.

Requirements:

  • Preferred Education / Certifications (optional):
    • Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience). (advantage)
    • Certification in broadcast technology or network engineering (e.g., SCTE, SBE, Cisco) are beneficial.
  • Experience:
    • Minimum of 2-5 years of experience working with DVB systems and broadcast engineering playout, or technical operations role.
    • Experience with DVB standards (DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-C) and related protocols. (advantage)
    • Experience working with playout automation systems (e.g., Harmonic, Grass Valley, Imagine Communications, or Evertz).
  • Technical Skills:
    • Familiarity with MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.264, HEVC, and other compression standards, knowledge of industry standards for HD, UHD, and 4K broadcasting.
    • Experience with broadcast equipment, including encoders, multiplexers, and monitoring tools.
    • Strong knowledge of broadcast automation systems, video and audio file formats, and compression standards.
    • Familiarity with media asset management, file-based workflows, and transcoding processes.
    • Understanding of IP-based broadcasting and networking, including TCP/IP and UDP protocols.
  • Soft Skills:
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
    • Detail-oriented and able to work in high-pressure situations.
    • Ability to work well under pressure and solve problems in real time.
    • Strong attention to detail and ability to multitask in a dynamic environment.
    • Excellent communication skills for coordinating with cross-functional teams.

 

Additional Information:

  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends or on-call shifts as required.
  • Some travel may be required for installation, maintenance, or troubleshooting at remote sites.
  • Willingness to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and on-call shifts as necessary.
  • Some travel may be required to provide support at other broadcast facilities or remote locations.

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