Studio Technical Operator

Role: Studio Technical Operator

Location: Bristol – City Centre (onsite role)

About GDS:

GDS Group is a global B2B solution provider of insight, content, pipeline growth, production studios and creative services delivered through our virtual platforms and face-to-face experiences. 

Founded on our thirty years of expertise, our mission is to be our client’s pipeline partner by bringing business solutions and targeted audiences together within dynamic environments. 

GDS Group's Virtual Production Studio is a digital powerhouse at the epicenter of next-gen B2B events. We host a range of virtual summits and roundtables, emphasizing the seamless interplay of technology and content. As we expand, we seek a Senior Technical Operator with a deep technical acumen to augment our studio's capabilities.

The Role

We are seeking a Studio Technical Operator who will form a key part of a live virtual production team. This role relies heavily on virtual production software skills (Aximmetry and Unreal Engine), as well as familiarity with live video production fundamentals (vision mixing, AV signal workflows, camera and lighting configuration, network production protocols, remote production techniques, green screen video shooting).

In this role, you will be heavily involved in the company’s studio operations as we focus on expanding our virtual product offerings.

As Studio Technical Operator, you will collaborate with the company’s in-house Design, 3D Modelling, Video, Producer and Presenting teams – delivering high quality virtual events to exceptional standards.

This role has a heavy focus on development, and you will be involved in the creation of new and exciting products as we bring them to market.

This is an on-site role. You will be an integral part of our studio team in Bristol five days a week. You will on occasion be required to work outside of regular hours; this time is rewarded by a fair time-off-in-lieu policy.

Responsibilities

• Operating studio software and hardware during live productions; building bespoke configurations in advance to satisfy requirements for each and every event.
• Working with our creative and production teams to ensure that delivery is consistent, well-prepared and executed to a high standard.
• Setting up and testing video, audio and network systems well ahead of rehearsals, live shows and recording shoots.
• Expanding your knowledge and troubleshooting production issues; providing viable solutions to unique and complex situations.
• Running and monitoring the virtual environment using a real-time graphics engine (Aximmetry and Unreal); taking responsibility for full functionality and performance.
• Identifying development opportunities within the production environment to maximise workflow efficiencies and output quality.

Additional Responsibilities

• Setting up and cueing live graphics and playback systems for overlays, presentations and VTs.
• Routing video playback, live remote presenters, and audience members via video conferencing platforms into the virtual environment, vision mixer and comfort monitors.
• Customising macros and automations to operate all programs in an agile and efficient workflow.
• Mixing analogue and digital audio signals from numerous sources.

About You:

• Experience using Aximmetry virtual production software or similar (Zero Density, etc)
• Deep understanding of Unreal Engine.
• Solid experience in AV system architecture, setup, and maintenance.
• Hands-on expertise with industry-standard software and hardware tools with a keen interest in exploring and mastering new technologies.
• A proactive approach to troubleshooting and problem-solving, with an instinct for foreseeing and mitigating technical challenges.
• An understanding of the digital event landscape, from networking to real-time content delivery.
• Experience working collaboratively within tech-driven teams, translating complex technical jargon into actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• Proficient with node-based UI/editors. This skillset will be helpful when configuring virtual environments with custom requirements.

What we offer:

• Development in skillsets used in other roles within the studio operator team, including producing, audio mixing, colour-grading, on-site video shoots etc.
• Training on industry-standard software namely Aximmetry, Unreal Engine, vMix, NewBlue Titler, After Effects, Premiere Pro, QLab, NDI, Dante.
• A fair and robust time-off-in-lieu structure to account for any work outside of regular hours.