NPR is hiring: Audio Engineer in Washington

OVERVIEW
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.

Intro To Position
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.

Responsibilities

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

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.
Required Skills

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

Preferred Skills

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

ADDITIONAL
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.

Education

Degree in audio engineering or related field of study preferred.

Work Location

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

Job Type

This is a full time, non exempt position.

Hourly Rate:

The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $44.04 - $49.67 per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits:

NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR's benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long‑term disability, short‑term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

#LI-Onsite

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal - to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non‑conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

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