Lead AV Engineer

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Opportunity: 

The Lead AV Systems will function as a subject matter expert within the Audio Visual and Global Broadcasting team, supporting various AV broadcasting and streaming projects including live events, broadcast productions, mission critical presentations, and systems integrations. They will support technology related to multiple facets of AV streaming workflows and real time ingestion, while partnering with internal AV production resources as needed. Seeking a candidate that has deep and broad knowledge of audio/video standards and multimedia streaming technologies while being familiar with modern AV over IP (NDI, ST 2110, Dante) plus traditional audio/video (SDI/HDMI/HD-BASET) signals, and best practices.

What Your Impact Will Be: 

• Supports successful outcomes of various productions and event needs while maintaining high quality and consistent uptime throughout the AV broadcast/media streaming signal chain
• Install, maintain, modify, operate and support complex AV/broadcast systems and equipment
• Works with AV team and internal stakeholders to understand project requirements and develop a technical workflow to engineer and support
• Manages assigned installation and maintenance projects
• Develops a thorough understanding of the AV broadcast ecosystem and continually assess the competitive landscape and emerging trends. Overcomes challenges through innovative and imaginative solutions
• Demonstrates a consistently high standard of AV Engineering practices while leading the installation of new equipment and system commissioning
• Strong understanding of CAD drawings and elevations to communicate things such as wiring diagrams, rack layouts, and concepts for new builds  
• Participates in technical conversations and communication with stakeholders, including AV production leads, internal facilities, content partners, event producers, streaming vendors, and network engineering teams
• May support executive level live streaming, VC, multimedia, and presentation space needs
• Assist in planning equipment and facility maintenance, expansion, and improvements; coordinate AV maintenance with management
• Oversees, configures, and maintains broadcast audio/video equipment; Production Switchers, Matrix Routers, Mixing Consoles, AV Encoders, Playback Systems, Record decks, Field & PTZ Camera’s etc.  
• Assists with technical workflow drawings for events, shoots, and tradeshows that require AV technology system design
• Ability to rapidly diagnose audio/video system and IT related problems plus provide alternative solutions to maintain AV production deadlines
• Assist with the installation and maintenance of systems that have IT/Networking dependencies; work closely with internal IT network team in supporting broadcast computing and streaming network solutions
• Promptly reacts to the unique challenges of live events and supports as needed
• Tests live streaming across all current and upcoming platforms with failover plans in place
• Captures and replicates issues for further investigation and later improvement
• Flexible schedule including occasional nights, weekends and travel if needed

What We’re Looking For: 

• 6+ years of experience in all aspects of AV engineering, installations, and live video streaming
• Experience developing and configuring audio/video encoders, servers, or clients/players
• Understanding of various audio/video standards and protocols. Current SMPTE Standards, NDI, DANTE, and SRT
• Knowledge of streaming media protocols: HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), DASH, RTMP, RTSP, etc.
• Expertise with various audio/video hardware and cloud-based encoders
• Background in live events and live streaming, and knowledge of digital video platforms
• Experience with live-broadcast and linear encoding systems in a professional environment
• Experience meeting deadlines within a fast-paced production schedule
• Proficiency in tools to encode/decode/analyze video and understanding of security best-practices
• Experience managing the execution of complex projects, including technical workflow design
• Hands-on experience with video encoding software and platforms such as Wirecast, Adobe media encoder, Premiere Pro, Microsoft stream, Zoom Events, Media Platform, Open Reel, etc.
• Experience collaboration platforms such as Zoom, Teams, Blue Jeans, etc.
• Basic electronics, cable crimpling, and soldering skills
• Ability to maintain composure in a real-time AV production environment
• Team player that is always ready and willing to be collaborative and work to support their team

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in technical discipline and/or demonstrated equivalent work-related experience
• Knowledge of AV over IP and TCP/IP networking along with computer hardware & software
• Problem-solving skills and effective communication skills
• Experience building and keeping good relationships with business partners
• Organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills
• Comfortable serving in both a supporting and ownership role depending on the project
• Experience working independently and making sound choices without additional support
• Interest in technology and agility at learning new products and features
• Experience with DRM, SMPTE standards, broadcast protocols
• Knowledge of programming language (JavaScript/Python/Java) and working with API’s a plus

The salary for this position will be between $92,000 and $115,000
**This range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base hourly rate will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

What It’s Like to Work Here:

We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower the next generation to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:

• We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
• We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
• We execute: We are a performance driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best in class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.

Our Approach to Hybrid Work

We embrace a hybrid work model to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where everyone can deliver on our shared purpose and realize their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with tech-enabled hybrid work, our focus is to provide flexibility while enabling collaboration for moments that matter.

Who We Are:

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO and MEGA, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel is recognized for the second year in a row as a Great Place to Work™ and as one of Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2022.

Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers.

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers including minorities, females, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and those of all sexual orientations and gender identities.