Radio engineers install and maintain electrical equipment for radio stations, monitor and repair cables, design equipment layouts, and operate equipment to play music and sound effects. They require several years of post-secondary education and may obtain certification from the Society of Broadcast Engineers.
Radio engineers – also known as broadcast engineers – radio operators and broadcast technicians perform a wide variety of tasks that often include installing and maintaining electrical equipment for radio stations. To keep the station on the air, a radio engineer must monitor and repair cables, design equipment layouts, oversee transmission levels between transmission towers and antennas, and read readings from radio transmitters. In addition to basic electrical engineering skills, radio engineers must have excellent communication skills and the physical ability to lift heavy equipment.
A radio engineer often performs similar tasks to video engineers, with the primary objective of keeping broadcasts on the air. When communication or transmission errors occur, it is the responsibility of the radio engineer to quickly and accurately assess and repair the problem. These professionals must be physically capable of climbing to great heights to repair antennas and crawling through tight spaces to repair wiring or equipment. In addition to repair and maintenance, these engineers operate equipment to play music and sound effects, as well as mix, record and synchronize audio. Installing and maintaining equipment – such as microphones, speakers, recording equipment, sound cards and mixing boards – is also necessary for a radio engineer.
Several years of post-secondary education, usually focused on electrical engineering, are required to become a radio engineer. Many technical colleges offer specialized courses in radio engineering, which can include a one-year certification or an associate’s degree. Several four-year colleges, such as state universities, offer four-year degrees for those interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in that field. In addition to formal training in this field, students also typically complete classes in sound production, computer broadcast technology, and broadcast engineering. During this education, radio engineering students should have the opportunity to practice skills using real studio equipment.
For those interested in earning an advanced certification in radio engineering, the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE) offers optional certification programs in many fields, including Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist, Certified Broadcast Radio Engineer, and Certified Radio Operator. Obtaining certification may require several years of formal education or work experience. After a student meets the minimum education or work experience requirements, they must pass a multiple-choice test to earn certification. Upon receiving this designation, radio engineers can advance to become a supervisory technician or chief engineer. While advancing in the field of radio engineering often comes with additional responsibilities, this credential can provide a certified engineer with greater earning power.
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