At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure reliable delivery of video and audio feeds for F1's global broadcast.
- Company: Join the iconic Formula 1 team, a pioneer in sports and entertainment.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, free snacks, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Work during exciting race weekends and contribute to cutting-edge technology.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic environment that values innovation and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in broadcast or telecommunications, with strong technical skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Are you ready to make your mark in the world of Formula 1? At Formula 1, we are passionate about delivering the world’s greatest sports and entertainment spectacle leaving a positive legacy wherever we race. Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do ever since our first Grand Prix in 1950. Now, more than 75 years on, the sport remains a pioneer, developing technologies that have made a significant impact on society beyond the track.
Our team of skilled technical experts keeps Formula 1 moving, and as a Distribution Engineer, you will play a vital role in ensuring the reliable delivery of all video and audio feeds that power F1’s global broadcast and digital output. Based at the Formula 1 Media & Technology Centre in Biggin Hill, you will provide crucial operational support during race weekends - establishing, monitoring, and routing feeds essential to live production and worldwide distribution. Outside of event weekends, you will contribute to ongoing upgrades across our technology stack, improving reliability, performance, and scalability to meet the growing distribution demands of the sport.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Manage the switching of services during normal and emergency conditions to ensure all outputs remain on air.
- Liaise with third-party fibre, uplink and connectivity providers during fault investigations.
- Routinely check the health and performance of all contribution and distribution equipment.
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks or vulnerabilities across the distribution infrastructure.
- Develop a solid understanding of Formula 1’s broader technical ecosystem and how operational departments collaborate during race weekends.
- Create and maintain documentation, diagrams and operational procedures.
- Implement, or support the implementation of, upgrades, changes and improvements to distribution systems and infrastructure.
What Are We Looking For?
A technically strong, calm under pressure engineer who thrives in a live broadcast environment and is committed to delivering highly reliable services during the most demanding operational windows of the F1 season.
Experience
- Have experience working in a broadcast, media, or telecommunications environment.
- Ideally have experience within Live Sports or similarly high-pressure operational contexts.
- Some desirable experience that you may bring to the role:
- Experience working directly with high availability distribution or transmission systems.
- Familiarity with troubleshooting real time broadcast chain issues across multiple vendors, technologies and signal types.
- Previous experience supporting projects involving system upgrades or infrastructure modernisation.
Knowledge & Skills
- In-depth knowledge of television distribution systems, platforms and standards.
- Working knowledge of HD & 3GSDI baseband video signals.
- Understanding of AES, MADI, Dolby E and AES67 audio signals.
- Good practical knowledge of TCP/IP networking, including multicast traffic.
- Experience with SMPTE 2110 standards.
- Working knowledge of h.264/h.265/HEVC encoding configuration.
- Understanding of MPEG2 Transport Streams and TR101290 analysis.
- Hands-on experience with control/monitoring systems such as Cerebrum, TAG or Data-miner.
- Ability to operate signal test and analysis equipment for both baseband and transport stream workflows.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Ability to remain focused and effective in high-pressure, time-critical environments.
Qualifications
Not essential to be successful in the role but you may also have the following qualifications:
- Certifications related to broadcast engineering, IT networking, or media transport (e.g., SMPTE, Cisco, or equivalent).
- Vendor-specific training linked to encoding, routing, monitoring, or IP-based media workflows.
Personal Qualities
In This Role It Is Essential That You Are:
- Calm and composed when working under pressure.
- Methodical, detail-oriented and proactive in identifying potential issues before they impact service.
- Adaptable, with the ability to switch focus quickly during live operational environments.
- A clear communicator who builds trust with colleagues and external partners.
- Willing to work unsociable hours, including weekends, when supporting live race events.
Benefits
Joining F1 means becoming part of a team that values innovation, collaboration and personal growth. We offer a dynamic work environment where ideas are heard, and employee contributions truly make an impact. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people to play their role in accelerating the future of the sport. As a member of the F1 team, you will be able to access our amazing benefits:
- Private Healthcare scheme
- Dental Care
- 4 x Grand Prix Paddock passes per season
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave and other family planning policies
- A free staff shuttle service running to and from surrounding trains stations near to Biggin Hill
- Free healthy snacks in our offices
- Subsidised canteen in Biggin Hill, serving breakfast and lunch
- 25 days annual leave and 8 Bank Holiday days, plus a Christmas period closure
- Opportunities to develop and request training for your role via our in-house Learning and Development team
- Discount on F1 merchandise
- Discount at F1’s experiences including F1 Arcade and F1 Drive
- Perkbox benefit portal and more
Distribution Engineer in Biggin Hill employer: Formula 1
At Formula 1, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in a fast-paced environment. Our team members enjoy a range of benefits including private healthcare, generous leave policies, and opportunities for professional development, all while contributing to the thrilling world of motorsport. Located in Biggin Hill, our vibrant work culture fosters creativity and personal growth, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Distribution Engineer in Biggin Hill
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up social media platforms like LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or demo reel showcasing your best work. Whether it's past projects or relevant experiences, having something tangible to share can really set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s race day! Research the company, understand their values, and be ready to discuss how your skills align with their needs. Practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the world of Formula 1. Your next big opportunity could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Distribution Engineer in Biggin Hill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for F1:When you're writing your application, let your love for Formula 1 shine through! Talk about what excites you about the sport and how you can contribute to its legacy. We want to see that you're not just looking for a job, but that you're genuinely enthusiastic about being part of our team.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in broadcast, media, or telecommunications. We’re looking for someone who thrives under pressure, so share specific examples of how you've handled high-stakes situations in the past. This will help us see how you fit into our fast-paced environment.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, especially when it comes to technical knowledge. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows that you’re serious about joining the F1 family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Formula 1
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of television distribution systems and the specific technologies mentioned in the job description. Familiarity with HD & 3GSDI signals, TCP/IP networking, and SMPTE standards will show that you're not just a candidate, but a potential asset to their team.
✨Stay Calm Under Pressure
Given the high-pressure environment of live sports broadcasting, practice staying composed during mock interviews. You might be asked how you would handle unexpected issues during a race weekend, so have some examples ready that demonstrate your ability to think on your feet.
✨Communicate Clearly
Prepare to explain complex technical concepts in simple terms. The interviewers will want to see that you can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Practise explaining your past projects or experiences in a way that anyone could understand.
✨Show Your Proactive Side
Be ready to discuss how you've identified and mitigated risks in previous roles. They’ll appreciate candidates who are methodical and detail-oriented, so share specific examples of how you’ve proactively solved problems before they escalated.
