Manager, Compression Engineering

About the Role

The Manager, Compression Engineering is a senior people and technical leader responsible for the stability, evolution, and strategic direction of Warner Bros. Discovery’s global compression and monitoring platforms. The role leads a multi-team engineering organisation and owns service reliability, operational readiness, and long-term technology execution across a complex broadcast and IP distribution ecosystem. Operating with WBD’s “One Team” mindset, the role partners with Architecture, Distribution Operations, Global Broadcast Engineering, and Live Events Engineering to define and deliver next-generation compression and transport strategies, serving as the highest escalation point for compression operations and live event readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide oversight of all staff scheduling and direction on project execution, interfacing with operational management to determine user requirements.


• Maintain and create Standard Operating Procedures for compression systems maintenance and emergency action procedures, and drive a culture of accountability, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and technical innovation.


• Conduct testing of new technologies relating to compression systems as directed by Senior Management, and review system design documents including single line drawings, cable schedules, and equipment layouts.


• Partner with Architecture, Cloud Engineering, Distribution Operations, and Live Events Engineering to ensure scalable, resilient, and future-ready solutions, and establish and enforce standardised testing, acceptance, and deployment practices across regions.


• Manage, maintain, and operate all compression technology in use at Discovery Communications; identify and document trends in service-affecting outages.


• Ensure robust monitoring, telemetry, alerting, and reporting frameworks are in place and continuously improved.


• Develop and administer training seminars and courses to successfully indoctrinate new TOC and Distribution Engineering staff on the daily operations and functions of DCL’s compression systems.


• Take part in vendor and equipment selection, and lead strategic vendor relationships including contract negotiations, performance governance, and SLA accountability.


• Own budget planning and financial oversight for hardware, software, cloud services, and lifecycle investments, and provide clear reporting on operational performance, reliability metrics, and programme execution.


• Ensure operational and technical readiness for major global broadcasts, live sports, and high-visibility premieres; coordinate across global sites to maintain consistent standards, performance, and service quality; and support Regional Affiliate Sales teams on an as-needed basis.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in video compression, broadcast distribution, or related engineering disciplines.


• 5+ years of experience leading engineering teams, including managers or senior-level engineers.


• Deep expertise in MPEG technologies, baseband video/audio/metadata, and IP video transport.


• Hands‑on experience with DigiCipher, PowerVu, Harmonic, or comparable compression systems.


• Strong strategic leadership, operational judgment, and executive-level communication skills.


• Experience supporting 24/7/365 mission‑critical environments with global scope.


• Willingness to participate in on‑call leadership rotations as required.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with cloud-based video and hybrid broadcast/streaming workflows.


• Familiarity with RF uplink/downlink, satellite distribution, and IP contribution networks.


• Experience with SNMP-based monitoring platforms and telemetry pipelines.


• Proficiency with design and documentation tools (e.g., Visio, Lucidchart, AutoCAD).


• Experience supporting global live sports or other high-profile broadcast events.

Workplace

• On-site availability in Sterling, VA, including support during emergencies or major events.


• This position is designated essential; on-site presence may be required during inclement weather, emergencies, or major broadcast events to ensure business continuity.

Salary

• Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short-and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards.

Benefits & Perks

• Health insurance coverage.


• Employee wellness program.


• Life and disability insurance.


• Retirement savings plan.


• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.