Maintenance Engineer Eastern Region

Maintenance Engineer Eastern Region

Regular Full Time – Bend, OR, US

Salary Range: $32.69 To $35.00 Hourly

The Field Maintenance Engineer is an onsite role working Monday through Friday with quick response required for outages, weather disruptions, planned maintenance, and system improvements. The position involves cross‑training skills such as tower climbing, saw operation, driving, and first aid certification. Ideal candidates have strong technical aptitude, enjoy working outdoors, and demonstrate sound judgment, safety commitment, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a small, close‑knit team.

The role balances fieldwork and technical problem‑solving. Tower climbing is required about once a month; the job also includes troubleshooting equipment in‑office. Preference is given to those with experience in audio, video, or broadcast systems and proficiency in installing, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical equipment.

Position Summary:

The Field Maintenance Engineer is a member of the Bend‑based engineering team and supports OPB’s Eastern Region broadcast network, covering the area from the Cascades to the Idaho border. Duties include technical research, documentation, test‑bench equipment repairs, and winter trips to remote transmitter sites. The engineer works largely with digital television, FM radio, microwave, and fiber distribution and relies on methodical troubleshooting skills, safety awareness, and an adventurous spirit.

Areas of Responsibility:

• Travel to transmitter sites in 4WD trucks or tracked snow vehicles, occasionally requiring hiking or snowshoeing
• Independently perform routine or emergency maintenance on equipment at transmitter sites, including TV, FM, and microwave air chains and controls, generators, building mechanical systems, and computer networks
• Erect, paint, reinforce, rebuild, or demolish site structures as necessary
• Trips are often 3‑5 days long
• Perform basic vehicle maintenance as necessary

25% Planning and Documentation

• Document installations, upgrades, and operational parameters
• Update databases with plans, drawings, and diagrams of changes
• Partner with staff in planning and designing new systems
• Create and revise simple documents for managing equipment, tools, programs, libraries, and supplies

25% Field Services

• Represent OPB in routine interactions with viewers, vendors, contractors, fellow broadcasters, cable operators, utility companies, government agencies, emergency services personnel, and the people of the Pacific Northwest

20% Education

• Participate in on‑the‑job training directed by Chief Engineers in signal flow, transmitter function, test equipment use, and broadcast facility repair and maintenance
• Create training presentations contributing to staff learning activities
• First Aid, CPR, and Wilderness Emergency Medicine compulsory
• Attendance at industry seminars when possible

Working Conditions:

Conditions vary widely, from the Bend workshop to remote broadcast facilities. The position requires arduous travel, significant hands‑on activity outdoors year‑round, and occasional non‑traditional work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Physical requirements include lifting up to 50 pounds, working in inclement weather, tower climbing, and walking or snowshoeing at least 5 miles.

Minimum Position Requirements:

• Four years of combined experience with A/V production, communications technology, electrical distribution, physical plant operations, systems engineering, or broadcast education
• Strong understanding of signal flow and troubleshooting fundamentals
• Detail‑oriented and highly organized, able to work independently
• Willingness to work outdoors in challenging conditions and maintain OPB‑provided certifications in First Aid, CPR, and wilderness emergency medicine
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a solution‑oriented communicator that engages with colleagues, contractors, and viewers
• Competence in Windows and Microsoft Office
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and experience with 4WD trucks and towing
• Familiarity with vehicle maintenance and basic construction tasks and equipment
• Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB

Preferred Position Requirements:

• Experience with the design, maintenance, and operation of TV & FM transmitters or related equipment such as cellular transceivers, spectrum analyzers, frame syncs, audio processors, IP network devices, radar/sonar, or military radios
• Experience operating tracked vehicles or other heavy equipment
• Familiarity with construction tasks, wiring, framing, siding, sheetrock, HVAC
• Tower climbing training
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or IT (e.g., CCNA)

Additional Information:

• This position reports to the Eastern Region Chief Engineer.
• This role is union‑represented by SEIU and eligible for benefits.
• The probable hiring range for this exempt position is between $32.69‑$35.00 per hour depending on qualifications.