Lead Media Systems Engineer

Job Description

Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology's (DEET) mission is to delight consumers worldwide with the news, entertainment, and sports content they want most, with more choice, personalization, and convenience than ever before.

DEET is responsible for The Walt Disney Company's direct-to-consumer businesses globally, including the ESPN+ sports streaming service, programmed in conjunction with ESPN; Disney+, the Disney branded direct-to-consumer streaming service; global advertising sales and ad technology for all of Disney's media properties, including ABC, ESPN, Freeform, FX Networks, National Geographic, and the Disney Channels; HotStar, the leading over-the-top streaming service in India; and the Company's majority ownership stake in Hulu.

Job Summary

Disney Media Engineers have a clear charter: to transform the capability and flexibility of how Disney acquires, produces, and distributes content worldwide, all while ensuring the highest levels of quality, efficiency, and resiliency.

Disney Media Engineers often find themselves at the crossroads between hardware and software-based technology and must possess a comprehensive theoretical and practical understanding of the technology that powers the generation, monetization, and distribution of all forms of consumer facing linear and digital video/audio content. Responsibility includes numerous systems such as Playout Technology, Studios, Production Control Rooms, Remote Production, Post-Production, Contribution/Distribution Systems, Networking, Cloud Compute, Production Software and Virtual Environment and more.

The Lead Systems Engineer is an expert engineer in several disciplines related to the acquisition, production, or distribution of media content. They are well-versed in multiple technical standards and have hands-on experience in both the sustainment and design/build of production systems.

The Lead Systems Engineer primarily focuses on architecting, designing, and constructing the varied technical platforms that power our linear and digital platforms. The Lead Media Systems Engineer position will work independently, often with the support of junior engineers and 3rd party partners to develop technology that efficiently and effectively delivers on the requirements set forth by technical, business or operations leaders. The Lead Systems Engineer will also be expected to serve as a subject matter mentor and to maintain their best-in-industry technical understanding of their area including the latest trends and technology.

Responsibilities and Duties of the Role:
• Architect, design, source, and construct media technology environments that allow DEET the ability to acquire, produce, store, stream, distribute our content.
• Resolve issues that affect acquisition, production, and content distribution across multiple DEET networks including system outages, malfunctions, and related technical problems, and conduct diagnostic testing, repair, and replacement activities necessary to solve routine, specialized, and complex problems.
• Analyze and troubleshoot streaming audio/video signals in traditional SDI and IP 2110 essence flow routing environments.
• A passion for solving problems and providing workable solutions
• Proficiency to analyze and troubleshoot cloud platforms & Software issues
• Lead third-party service providers by enforcing the agreed upon scope of services within the various signed service agreements (i.e., full time, freelance, union agencies, maintenance providers, contractors, service providers, etc.).
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate technical staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• Specify and procure equipment, supplies and materials for Media technology systems within budget guidelines; receive and maintain equipment and supplies.
• Develop long range plans for future media technology needs, including capital improvements, to enhance production and distribution capabilities.
• Lead the development and implementation of policies and procedures regarding technology facilities with a focus on maximizing the integration of all systems to meet business, marketing, and entertainment goals.
• Lead operational support of all activities related to operating, maintaining, and programming the audio and video production/distribution systems across the enterprise and other connected properties.
• Utilize system software health and performance monitoring platforms; troubleshoot and participate in repairing system problems and failures, participates in maintenance of systems, installs software patches, updates etc. to resolve and avoid service problems, and troubleshoots system problems as they relate to these services.
• Performs upgrades to system hardware and software workflows under the supervision of a more experienced engineer or supervisor.
• Participates in engineering projects at the direction of more experienced engineers.
• Reviews and contributes to system/workflow documentation.
• Participates in regular training and development objectives.
• Extraordinary influencer who is skilled at connecting the dots at the organization, strategy, program, project, and event levels. YAble to persuade and change the thinking of others without damaging relationships.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, growth environment with minimal direction, delivering under tight deadlines while multitasking, prioritizing projects, and communicating priority updates to team members.
• Able to operate with limited resources, exhibit dispassionate critical-thinking, and creatively solve problems. Motivated and inventive, always finds a way forward-eternal optimist with a committed drive for contributing and making a difference.
• Any other duties needed to help achieve Business Objectives

Required Education, Experience/Skills/Training:

Minimum Qualifications:
• 7+ years of demonstrated and relevant experience in leading others, developing technical strategies ensuring efficient design/build, uptime, and overall stability of the technical environments of live media production and distribution.
• Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering, computer science or equivalent major, and/or equivalent work experience.
• Proficiency in at least one of the following languages: Perl, Python, Ruby, Shell, C or C++
• Proficient with technologies like microservices, DevOps tools, design principles, practices, standards and guidelines
• Have expert level knowledge and experience with integrating, implementing, or refreshing broadcast control room equipment, including familiarity with modern broadcast cabling infrastructure used in broadcast environments.
• Expert knowledge in SMPTE standards for broadcast television and video production/streaming environments with a current certification such as not limited to ST 292M, ST 424M, ST 2110, ST 2059, IEE1588, ST 2022-7, SCTE-104, etc.
• Expert level knowledge and experience with on-prem and cloud-based storage and compute infrastructure platforms and current technological offerings. At least one foundational cloud certification required, including but not limited to Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, CompTIA Cloud+, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate.
• Expert level knowledge and experience with compression techniques such as MPEG2/4, HEVC, JPEG 2000, and JPEG XS.
• Master Expert level knowledge and experience with Evertz

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Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rnn1b3-3-145-163-58-42 in your application.