[Hiring] Cable Headend and Video Distribution SME @Sand Cherry Associates

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced Cable Headend & Video Distribution SME with deep operational expertise in cable headend operations and video distribution. This role requires an individual who has worked directly with video delivery within cable headend environments and understands how video signals are received, processed, routed, distributed, monitored, and maintained through the headend. The ideal candidate will understand the complete video signal path—from satellite and RF reception through Integrated Receiver/Decoders (IRDs) and video processing to QAM and/or IP-based distribution.

The individual will bring a strong cable operator perspective, helping evaluate technical and operational plans, challenge assumptions, identify implementation risks, and ensure proposed approaches are practical across a range of cable operating environments. Experience within a large cable operator is strongly preferred, combined with an understanding of regional and independent providers where infrastructure, staffing, technical capabilities, and operating models can vary considerably. This position requires working Eastern Time (ET) business hours. All qualified candidates MUST reside and be authorized to work in the United States without requiring visa sponsorship or visa transfers. Please note that we do not work C2C.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior Cable Operations and Video Distribution SME, providing operational and technical expertise to engineering and operations teams.
• Provide deep subject matter expertise in cable video distribution and the end-to-end video signal path, including satellite reception, antenna systems, RF/L-band distribution, IRDs, video processing, QAM and IP-based video distribution, signal routing, monitoring, and associated headend infrastructure.
• Review, assess, and challenge technical solutions, implementation approaches, assumptions, and operational plans from the perspective of an experienced cable video operator.
• Provide insight into industry practices, operator expectations, headend capabilities, and video operations requirements across large, regional, and independent operators.
• Assess what activities cable operators can reasonably be expected to perform independently and where additional technical, field, or implementation support may be required.
• Evaluate downstream implications of infrastructure or signal-delivery changes on video processing, routing, modulation, distribution, redundancy, service quality, and continuity.
• Identify operational risks, dependencies, site constraints, and implementation challenges early in the planning process.
• Help define appropriate levels of operator support, field services, technical documentation, testing, validation, and troubleshooting across different operating environments.
• Review technical documentation, signal-flow diagrams, implementation procedures, test plans, and field plans to ensure they are practical and executable within live video headend environments.
• Participate in technical working sessions to pressure-test proposed approaches, identify gaps, and recommend practical alternatives.
• Translate technical findings and considerations into clear recommendations for engineering, operations, and business leadership.
• Support continuity from planning into implementation, providing technical context, operational expertise, and issue resolution throughout execution.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in cable video engineering, video distribution, headend operations, or a closely related field.
• Significant hands-on experience with video distribution within cable headend environments required.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end cable video signal path, including how programming is received, processed, routed, monitored, and distributed through the headend.
• Deep knowledge of satellite video reception, antenna systems, RF/L-band signal distribution, IRDs, video processing, QAM, IP-based video distribution, and associated headend infrastructure.
• Experience within a major cable operator or comparable large-scale video distribution organization strongly preferred.
• Experience working with or supporting regional and independent cable operators highly desirable.
• Experience supporting video-related technical transitions, equipment upgrades, infrastructure changes, or service migrations within live production environments.
• Understanding of video redundancy, service continuity, troubleshooting, testing, and operational change management within headend environments.
• Understanding of differences in infrastructure, staffing, technical capabilities, and operating practices across cable operators of varying sizes.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate technical designs and translate them into practical, executable operational plans.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify implementation risks and dependencies early.
• General broadband, DOCSIS, HFC, or IP networking experience alone is not sufficient; candidates must have meaningful cable video distribution/headend experience.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Telecommunications, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.

Compensation

Sand Cherry Associates is required by Colorado law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This compensation range considers a wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and delivery model. This is a long term consulting opportunity with an annual salary range of $100,000 -- $150,000. Years of experience, level of education, geographic location, unique skills/qualifications for the specific role and potential certifications can be key factors in the final compensation for this role.