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Broadcast engineer

Alternative titles for this job include

Broadcast engineers set up and maintain the equipment used to transmit programmes made in a studio and on location.

Average salary (a year)

£27,000 Starter

to

£55,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 45

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Meet Cormac

Cormac is doing a broadcast engineering degree apprenticeship at the BBC. 

1 minute 35 second watch

View transcript

Hi there, my name's Cormac and I am a broadcast engineering degree apprentice with the BBC, currently studying at Birmingham City University.

Our apprenticeship is based on block sort of learning. So we do 3 month blocks. One of them being at university, and then one at work, which is really really nice. Because you don't have to think about one when you're on the other.

We go from being in a classroom all the time here, to just out and about all the time when we're at work. So we're in offices all across the country. I'm always in Glasgow, London, Salford. Always darting around to do different experiences.

Lots of just this needs fixing, that needs fixing. here's a project that we want to deliver. Do you want to kind of take this and run with it?

My learning style is out in the field doing it and actually getting to experience it. There's so many skills you have to pick up over time, and some of them are really soft skills about communication, planning, organisation. And then there's the more kind of physical stuff with certain pieces of equipment or the way that we work within the broadcast industry.

I think if I had to pick a standout moment, it would be getting to do the election last year. That was fantastic. We were up in Glasgow for a week, and then all of us went off to our own locations. And we were actually, apart from the camera operator, the only engineer there.

We had to do everything from arranging access into the venue to working out where we were gonna be. Getting power, internet, everything. So that was really interesting because it just gave you a bit of a chance to kind of step out and go. I've done all of this in a team. I've done this with sort of other people looking after me. This is now my chance to show I can do it kind of on my own.

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You could do a higher national diploma or degree in broadcast engineering. Employers may also accept related subjects, such as:

  • electronic or electrical engineering
  • physics
  • telecoms engineering
  • computer science

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

College

You may be able to find a trainee position in broadcast engineering after doing a college course. Courses include:

  • electrical or electronic engineering
  • creative media production and technology
  • electronic systems engineering
  • computing
  • T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship with a broadcaster or production company, such as:

  • Broadcast and Media Systems Technical Operator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Broadcast and Media Systems Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These can take between 2 and 3 years to complete and combine on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 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

More Information

Work

If you already work for a broadcast or production company in a different role, for example a maintenance assistant, you might be able to start a broadcast engineering trainee scheme or apprenticeship, with the company you work for.

Volunteering

You'll find it useful to get practical experience using broadcasting equipment, as there is a lot of competition for places on training schemes.

You can get experience through:

  • student film, TV and theatre productions
  • community or student radio
  • live events and festivals
  • work placements with a broadcaster

More Information

Career tips

Some of the larger broadcasters run their own training schemes, for instance:

Further information

You can get more information about a career in broadcast engineering from ScreenSkills and This is Engineering.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a broadcast engineer, you could:

  • set up and test studio equipment
  • install multimedia hardware, software and digital broadcast technology
  • operate links between studios and outside broadcast (OB) units
  • edit programmes live as they’re being transmitted or recorded
  • make sure broadcasts meet quality standards
  • respond to technical issues and fix them
  • service and maintain equipment
  • supervise trainee engineering assistants

Working environment

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

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could:

  • become a senior engineer, overseeing broadcast planning and design
  • specialise in particular operations, like satellite communications or picture and audio quality
  • work as a broadcast technical consultant, advising companies on how best to set up equipment in a studio or on location

Many engineers work freelance, so it's important to keep up to date with developments in technology.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a broadcast engineer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

  • Provider: ST FRANCIS XAVIER SIXTH FORM COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2026
  • Location: LONDON

T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

  • Provider: SAINT JOHN BOSCO COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2026
  • Location: London
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

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