Audio Engineer

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide. 

Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

NPR seeks an Audio Engineer to join our Engineering Division. This position will work directly with journalists, producers, camera operators,  and engineers at NPR and throughout the public media system to ensure the production and delivery of high-quality audio and video in a timely and precise manner.

Primary duties include engineering live broadcasts of NPR programming, audio restoration and repair, recording and mixing  audio for video, Master Control operation, troubleshooting technical problems, and collaborating with reporters and producers in a variety of settings.  Our engineers work in broadcast studios, a master control facility, and throughout the networked newsroom to provide technical support and guidance in a fast-paced, deadline driven, 24x7x365 production environment.

Our ideal candidate is a proactive, courteous, customer service focused, audio expert who is passionate and curious about technology and believes in the mission of NPR.

This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with NABET.

• →Assemble and mix complex live broadcasts, streaming content, and  pre-produced elements working with producers and directors in a high-pressure environment
• →Promote and maintain NPR’s quality standards by identifying and repairing impaired audio
• →Analyze, repair and mix audio on tight deadlines using common tools (equalizers, compressors, noise reduction, etc.)
• →QC, mix, and sweeten audio and video podcasts before publication using DAVID Systems MTE and AVID Pro Tools
• →Monitor inbound and outbound content streams and associated automated play-out systems. Rectify technical outages and respond to programming schedule changes quickly and accurately
• →Schedule, connect, and route media over a variety of IP transmission methods including Comrex, Riverside, Zoom, etc.
• →Test and ensure preparedness of in-house and remote broadcast and production systems
• →Consult, train, and support journalists in the use of NPR technical facilities and remote recording and transmission equipment
• →Teach and encourage best production practices and workflows
• →Provide technical support for remote events including site assessment and venue coordination
• →Troubleshoot unexpected situations confidently, calmly, and effectively
• →Communicate clearly with both editorial and technical colleagues
• →Keep abreast of current and emerging audio broadcast equipment, systems, and workflows
• →Write and update documentation for user support guides
• →Cultivate, promote and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in one’s work and in the workplace
• →Demonstrate awareness of intersectional identities and ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds

• Two years’ technical experience with audio production (radio and/or TV broadcast, post production, live sound reinforcement, music recording, theater, ENG)
• Experience with AVID Pro Tools and iZotope RX in a production environment
• Proficient in fundamentals of audio engineering and signal flow
• Proven ability to identify and correct audio impairments and mix audio to established loudness standards
• Professional and courteous demeanor supporting a varied and demanding client base
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills and ability to author training guides and operating procedures
• Proven multitasking capabilities for fast approaching deadlines

• Broadcast experience, preferably within public media
• Expert level understanding of AVID Pro Tools, iZotope products and a variety of mixing consoles
• Mixing while taking live direction from editorial staff in a broadcast, theater-tech,  sound reinforcement, or similar context
• Advanced computer troubleshooting, networking, or software development abilities
• Experience with varied IP and smartphone audio transmission techniques
• Operation of scheduling and audio routing automation tools and matrix routers
• Field recording proficiency
• Music recording, mixing, and mastering expertise
• Audio for video, post-production, and sound design competence
• Teaching or training experience

The onboarding process for new hires includes substantial training and opportunities to shadow our audio engineering staff on a variety of shifts.  Solid understanding of audio fundamentals and universal audio concepts is more important than expertise with specific systems.

• Degree in audio engineering or related field of study preferred.

• This is an on-site role based in Washington, DC

• This is a full time, non exempt position.

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