Herman Horkey

I'm an experienced Broadcast Systems Infrastructure Engineer specializing in the design, deployment, and management of zero-downtime, real-time media pipelines and critical technical architectures. I have a proven track record of resolving complex operational challenges under high-pressure stakes. I'm seeking a remote or hybrid Solutions Engineering or Vendor Support role utilizing a deep background in tier-3 technical diagnostics, client-facing system integration, and project-based travel (up to 20%).

Assistant Chief Engineer - WFMJ-TV / WBCB - Youngstown, OH

(2024-01)

• Fiscal Capital ROI: Audited end-to-end station infrastructure and spearheaded large-scale system integration, procurement, utilizing technical leadership and strategic decision-making to deliver over six figures in documented annual savings.
• Technical Team Leadership: Directed day-to-day engineering operations and 24/7 business continuity across multiple physical sites, managing labor allocations and workflow execution for a 12-member technical engineering team.
• Network Segmentation: Executed secure, segmented VLAN configurations across local physical and optical fiber paths to safeguard high-availability production transport streams.
• Systems Observability: Deployed a centralized network monitoring matrix using Zabbix hosted on a Proxmox virtual environment to establish foundational live telemetry and proactive system alerting.

Shop Engineer / Chief Engineer - Live Media Group (Formerly Lyon Video) - Columbus, OH

(2022-05 - 2024-01)

• Fleet Engineering Logistics: Served as fleet engineer and primary shop coordinator, evaluating post-event technical reports, scheduling high-end mobile systems for repair and optimization, and directing technical labor allocations.
• Systems Architecture Design: Engineered complex signal flow drawings and detailed CAD blueprints for facility and mobile unit upgrades, ensuring perfect interoperability for next-generation hardware deployments.
• Strategic Vendor Commissioning: Collaborated with external technology vendors to evaluate, select, and integrate incoming broadcast systems tailored to meet long-term enterprise client specifications.
• Engineering Readiness: Spearheaded staff maintenance and upgrade initiatives while building documentation pipelines to train Engineers-in-Charge (EICs) on advanced system workflows.

Broadcast Engineer (Engineer-in-Charge) - Esports Engine - Columbus, OH

(2021-06 - 2022-05)

• Startup Infrastructure Build: Launched the facility's premier engineering pipeline, single-handedly designing signal flow diagrams, CAD drawings, and dual-control room production workflows from the ground up.
• Major Global Launches: Solo designed and successfully implemented the 2021/2022 global production workflows for Microsoft's high-profile Halo launch and Activision's Call of Duty Mobile launch.
• Cross-Continent Live Contributions: Engineered and supported highly complex, low-latency remote media workflows for cross-continent live contributions during COVID safety restrictions, including a live broadcast executed overnight in Columbus featuring talent contributing remotely from a studio in Japan.
• High-Availability Execution: Delivered hundreds of hours of stable, uninterrupted live transmissions under extreme, zero-downtime constraints for top-tier global brands (Microsoft, Activision/Blizzard, Pokémon, Logitech).

EIC (Engineer-in-Charge) - Lyon Video - Columbus, OH

(2020-01 - 2021-06)

• Mobile Unit Engineering: Served as head mobile unit systems engineer responsible for direct physical configuration, 3-phase power integration, and infrastructure engineering on 53-foot single-expando production trucks under strict live network timelines. Primarily Lyon Video MU-14.
• Marquee Show Execution: Selected as the Head EIC to direct engineering operations for the high-profile CONCACAF Nations League Finals tournament broadcast in 2021.
• Matrix Routing Control: Configured and customized advanced Evertz Magnum routers, touch panels, and TSI tally systems alongside RTS AZ and IPedit communication matrices.
• Enterprise Client Delivery: Maintained flawless live infrastructure and tier-3 support for premier national networks (ESPN, FOX Sports, NBC Sports, Bally Sports) and major athletic brands, including the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians, Columbus Blue Jackets, and AEW Wrestling.

Broadcast Engineer - Sinclair Broadcast Group - Columbus, United States

(2018-11 - 2020-01)

• Full-Facility Systems Maintenance: Maintained, diagnosed, and repaired critical end-to-end station infrastructure, ensuring maximum uptime across STL, microwave, satellite, and IP-based transport systems.
• Core Technical Infrastructure Support: Provided hands-on component-level troubleshooting and calibration for studio cameras, production switchers, graphics engines, audio consoles, legacy video tape systems, and master control automation/editing workflows.
• Routing, Intercoms & Multi-viewers: Managed and configured facility-wide routing matrices, intercom loops, two-way radio communication networks, and complex multi-view display systems.
• Engineering Design & Documentation: Utilized Microsoft Visio to author detailed engineering signal flow diagrams and CAD system documentation, streamlining troubleshooting pipelines for the engineering department.

Photojournalist - Sinclair Broadcast Group

(2017 - 2018)

Received 2 NATAS Regional Emmy Nominations for investigative project production on the "Scoring our Schools".

Bachelor of Arts - Telecommunications Studies - Youngstown State University (2012-08 - 2016-05)