Video Equipment Technician

🎯 Role Definition

As our Video Equipment Technician, you will be the backbone of our production capabilities. You are a hands-on technical expert responsible for the entire lifecycle of our video and audio equipment—from setup and operation during critical live events to meticulous maintenance and repair. Your expertise will ensure our productions meet the highest standards of quality and reliability, directly impacting our brand's image and communication success. This role is perfect for a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment and has a passion for broadcast and AV technology.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

AV Assistant / AV Operator
Production Assistant
IT Support Specialist with an AV focus

Advancement To:

Lead Video Technician / Senior AV Technician
Broadcast Engineer
Production Manager or Technical Director

Lateral Moves:

Live Stream Producer
Video Editor
AV Systems Designer/Integrator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Expertly set up, install, and configure complex audio-visual systems, including cameras, video switchers, audio mixers, microphones, and lighting for live events, broadcasts, and studio productions.
Operate video switching equipment (e.g., Ross Carbonite, Blackmagic ATEM) to direct live multi-camera productions, ensuring smooth transitions, graphics integration, and a professional on-screen presentation.
Perform routine preventative maintenance, diagnostics, and in-depth repairs on a wide array of video and audio equipment to ensure maximum uptime and performance.
Manage and maintain the entire video signal flow, from camera source to final destination (recorders, streamers, displays), effectively troubleshooting issues with SDI, HDMI, NDI, and fiber optic connections.
Conduct thorough quality control checks on all audio and video signals before and during productions to ensure they meet broadcast standards and project specifications for clarity, color, and sound.
Skillfully rig and operate a variety of professional video cameras (e.g., Sony, Canon, Panasonic), including lens selection, color matching, and achieving optimal framing, focus, and exposure.
Design, set up, and manage professional lighting systems, including key, fill, and backlights, to create a visually appealing and well-lit environment for on-camera talent and subjects.
Configure and operate professional audio equipment, including wireless lavalier/handheld microphones, boom mics, and digital audio mixers, to capture clean, intelligible sound free from interference.
Maintain a detailed and accurate digital inventory of all video production equipment, managing check-out/check-in procedures, tracking asset locations, and reporting on equipment status.
Systematically troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues with hardware and software in high-pressure live production environments, applying logical problem-solving to minimize downtime.
Manage all production media by ingesting, logging, and organizing recorded footage from various camera and recording sources, ensuring data integrity for post-production workflows.
Collaborate closely with producers, directors, and other production crew members to understand the creative vision and execute all technical requirements flawlessly.
Provide exceptional on-site technical support and clear guidance to clients, executive presenters, and event staff, ensuring a smooth and positive user experience with the AV technology.
Read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and signal flow diagrams to facilitate accurate system setup, integration, and efficient troubleshooting.
Terminate, test, and repair various types of production cabling, including BNC (SDI), XLR, and Category cables (for NDI), ensuring robust and reliable signal integrity.
Stay current with emerging video production technologies, IP-based workflows, industry trends, and best practices to recommend equipment upgrades and workflow improvements.
Oversee the complete teardown, proper packing, and secure storage of all equipment post-event, ensuring it is protected and ready for the next deployment.
Configure and monitor video encoding and streaming appliances for high-quality, reliable live webcasts to platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and custom RTMP destinations.
Operate teleprompter systems, coordinating with on-air talent and producers to ensure accurate and smoothly paced delivery of scripts during live and recorded sessions.
Document technical procedures, system configurations, and common troubleshooting steps to build a comprehensive knowledge base for the technical team.
Calibrate and align video displays, projectors, and large-format LED walls to ensure color accuracy, brightness consistency, and optimal image quality across all visual outputs.
Assist in the design and integration of new AV systems and facility upgrades, contributing technical expertise from the initial planning stages through to final commissioning.

Secondary Functions

Assist in the evaluation and recommendation of new AV technologies to keep our capabilities on the cutting edge.
Contribute to the development of technical documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and training materials.
Provide basic training and technical guidance to non-technical staff and presenters on equipment usage.
Collaborate with the IT department on network-related AV implementations, such as NDI workflows and Dante audio.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Live Production Switching: Proficiency with production switchers from brands like Ross, Blackmagic Design, or NewTek TriCaster.
Professional Cameras: Deep expertise with professional video camera systems (e.g., Sony FX/FS series, Canon C-series), including advanced menu functions and color matching.
Signal Flow & Formats: Comprehensive understanding of video signal formats and transport methods (HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, HDMI, NDI) and routing systems.
Audio for Video: Experience with professional audio mixers (e.g., Yamaha CL/QL, Behringer X32), microphone types, and wireless frequency coordination.
Live Streaming: Knowledge of live streaming protocols (RTMP, SRT) and encoding hardware/software (e.g., OBS, vMix, AJA Helo).
Lighting Control: Familiarity with 3-point lighting principles and DMX control for studio and stage lighting.
System Integration: Ability to read schematics and connect complex AV systems from the ground up.
AV over IP: Working knowledge of IP-based video and audio technologies like NDI and Dante.
Repair & Maintenance: Basic electronics repair, soldering skills, and experience with cable termination (BNC, XLR, RJ45).
Control Systems: Familiarity with AV control systems like Crestron, Extron, or Q-SYS is a strong plus.

Soft Skills

Problem-Solving Under Pressure: Ability to remain calm and think logically to resolve technical failures during a live show.
Meticulous Attention to Detail: A commitment to quality, ensuring every technical detail from cable management to video quality is perfect.
Collaborative Team Player: Works effectively with creative and technical teams to achieve a common goal.
Clear Communication: Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and team members.
Time Management: Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Adaptability: Flexible and able to pivot quickly when production plans change unexpectedly.
Customer Service Orientation: A professional and helpful demeanor when interacting with clients, executives, and talent.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or equivalent.
Technical certifications (e.g., CTS, Dante, vendor-specific training) are a strong plus.

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Broadcast Technology
Communications
Film and Video Production
Electronics Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years of hands-on experience in a professional broadcast, live event production, or corporate AV environment.

Preferred: Proven experience managing multi-camera productions, live streaming for a global audience, and providing technical support in high-stakes corporate or broadcast settings.