Radio engineers, also known as broadcast engineers, radio operators, and broadcast technicians, perform a wide range of tasks, the most common of which is to set up and maintain radio stations’ electrical equipment. A radio engineer must monitor and repair cables, design equipment layouts, supervise transmission levels between broadcast towers and antennas, and log readings from radio transmitters in order to keep the station on the air. Radio engineers must have excellent communication skills as well as the physical ability to lift heavy equipment, in addition to basic electrical engineering skills.
A radio engineer’s job is similar to that of a video engineer in that the main goal is to keep broadcasts on the air. When communication or transmission errors occur, it is the radio engineer’s responsibility to quickly and accurately diagnose and correct the problem. Physically, these professionals must be capable of climbing to great heights to repair antennas and crawling into tight spaces to repair wiring or equipment. These engineers work on equipment that reproduces music and sound effects, as well as mixing, recording, and synchronizing audio. A radio engineer must also set up and maintain equipment such as microphones, speakers, recording equipment, soundboards, and mixing boards.
To become a radio engineer, you’ll need to complete several years of post-secondary education, most of which will be in electrical engineering. Many technical colleges offer radio engineering courses, which can range from a one-year certification to an associate’s degree. For those interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree in this field, several four-year colleges, such as state universities, offer four-year degrees. Students often take classes in sound production, computer broadcasting technology, and broadcast engineering in addition to formal training in this field. Radio engineering students should have the opportunity to practice skills on real studio equipment during their education.
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, for those interested in pursuing advanced certification in radio engineering. A number of years of formal education or professional experience may be required to obtain certification. To earn certification, a student must pass a multiple-choice test after meeting the minimum education or professional experience requirements. Radio engineers who earn this designation can go on to become supervisory technicians or chief engineers. Although advancement in the radio engineering field usually entails more responsibilities, a certification can help a certified engineer earn more money.