Job Description

The Production Systems Engineer is responsible for the setup, configuration, testing, and technical readiness of production systems that support live athletic events and broadcasts for University of South Florida Athletics. This role ensures cameras, audio systems, control rooms, cabling infrastructure, signal paths, and related technologies are properly installed, tested, and performance ready before and during events.

Working closely with production, event, and marketing teams, this position plays a critical role in maintaining technical reliability and operational readiness across all sports and event types. The Production Systems Engineer proactively identifies risks, improves workflows, and ensures system integrity for live productions and streaming initiatives.

This position reports directly to the Associate Vice President, Broadcast and Live Event Productions.

• Set up and configure cameras, audio equipment, control room systems, intercom systems, routing, and related production infrastructure for live events and rehearsals.
• Run and manage cabling for video, audio, data, and communications systems in accordance with production needs and safety standards.
• Conduct pre event technical testing, full signal flow verification, and system checks to ensure readiness for live execution.
• Test control room systems including routing, switchers, playback systems, communications, monitoring, and recording equipment prior to doors opening.
• Troubleshoot technical issues quickly and effectively during rehearsals and live events.
• Review production documents and event requirements to identify potential technical conflicts, asset gaps, or equipment limitations prior to event day.
• Ensure reliable transmission and connectivity for live streams to conference, ESPN, and institutional digital and social media platforms.
• Support encoding, transmission verification, and delivery confirmation of live streams across required distribution channels.
• Maintain and support production infrastructure including firmware updates, calibration, and hardware adjustments.
• Document system configurations, wiring paths, testing results, and troubleshooting procedures to support operational continuity.
• Assist with equipment inventory tracking, storage organization, and readiness of all engineering assets.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and recommend workflow enhancements to increase efficiency and reliability.
• Collaborate with Production Services, Broadcast, Marketing, and Event Operations teams to ensure technical alignment and event readiness.
• Support and mentor student technicians and part time staff in proper setup, safety, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Remain available during live events to respond to real time technical needs.
• Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in technical media, broadcasting, engineering technology, or related field, or a combination of education and relevant professional experience as a substitute for the minimum education requirement.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in broadcast engineering, live event technical support, or production systems support.
• Demonstrated ability to set up, test, and troubleshoot video, audio, signal routing, and control room systems.
• Working knowledge of camera systems, audio consoles, switchers, intercom systems, signal flow, and basic networking.
• Experience supporting live stream encoding and outbound transmission workflows.
• Strong problem solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work in fast paced live production environments.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays aligned with athletics event schedules.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in collegiate athletics or a professional sports environment.
• Understanding of signal flow, video standards, streaming protocols, and broadcast infrastructure.
• Experience documenting technical systems and developing standard operating procedures.
• Familiarity with live production environments that require coordination with conference or network partners.

Required" Criminal Background Check- level 1

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.