Senior MCR Engineer

• Reporting to: Technical Manager
• Location: Ealing, West London
• Hours of work: Approximately 160 hours per month on a 7-day fortnight pattern

Racecourse Media Group is the umbrella organisation for racecourses across the UK and Ireland which hold an interest in Racing TV (which includes our linear and extra channels, available on many major platforms), GBI Racing (international betting shop/digital service) and Racecourse Data Company (licensor of Pre-Race Data). Licensed Betting Offices (LBOs) across the UK and Ireland rely on us and our partners for our distribution services.

We also license, re-package and distribute international racing to worldwide audiences.

The Senior MCR Engineer is an operational role whose purpose is to provide engineering support for the broadcast facility and production teams. They will liaise directly with production teams, connectivity and OB facility providers to set up incoming and outgoing feeds, and provide front‑line support and troubleshooting services where problems arise.

• Ensuring the stability and quality of all incoming and outgoing video/audio/communications circuits.
• Keeping a thorough and accurate log of all faults and problems experienced, and communicating these with the next shift where appropriate.
• Supporting and assisting larger engineering projects beyond day‑to‑day operations.
• Working with Engineering management to ensure that appropriate procedures are followed within the MCR department.
• Line‑up of all circuits with external suppliers & recipients.
• Configuring and routing to/from encoders and decoders.
• Working closely with the MCR team at our dedicated off‑site Remote Production facility to ensure additional galleries and record/replay networks are receiving the correct feeds.
• Proactive monitoring of all transmission feeds.
• Front‑line support for any technical problems within the production facility.
• Technical fault‑finding, diagnosis and tracking progress to resolution.
• Working with our on‑site facilities provider where additional assistance is required for resolving more complex issues.
• At times, assisting the production teams with technical aspects of their roles.
• Assisting the Media Manager at times, for example with Media ingest and archiving (using EVS, Evertz Dreamcatcher and Telial systems).

• Proven experience of day‑to‑day MCR operations in an active broadcast facility environment.
• Experience working with typical MCR equipment such as video routers, comms matrices, encoding equipment, waveform monitors, multiviewers, etc. is essential, as is the ability to work as an integral part of an engineering team.
• A consistent approach to the delivery of high‑quality, error‑free live broadcasts.
• The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions under pressure.
• This is a senior role, so previous experience in a comparable senior role within a similar environment (either in a facility or as an OB engineer) is required. However, training will still be provided as there will be a high degree of local knowledge applicable to the role.
• A basic knowledge of horse racing would be beneficial, though not essential.

• Suitable broadcast experience with relevant technology and workflows as detailed above is essential.
• Experience in related engineering roles (such as telecoms, radar or RF, for example).

• Good technical fault finding, troubleshooting and lateral thinking skills.
• Ability to work under pressure in a live broadcast environment.
• Good communication and team‑working skills.
• Rudimentary knowledge of IT systems and infrastructures.
• Some experience of IP and file‑based workflows and systems.
• Strong understanding of live broadcast workflows and gallery operations.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to give clear and concise instructions or information to production teams, OB and connectivity providers.
• High level of attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and make quick decisions in a live environment.
• Familiarity with graphics systems.
• Familiarity with virtual studio systems.
• Familiarity with EVS and Dreamcatcher record/replay networks.
• Strong understanding of live broadcast workflows and usual MCR operations.
• Calm and composed under pressure, particularly during live broadcasts.
• Communication:
  Being respectful, approachable, empathetic and team oriented.
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Flexibility to meet the demands of a live broadcast environment.

RMGOperations is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, ethnic origin, disability, age or political or religious belief in its recruitment or other employment policies.