Join Our Team as Chief Technology Officer - KPBS
At KPBS, we inform, enlighten, and empower our community through trusted news, inspiring storytelling, and meaningful public service. As San Diego's public media station, KPBS serves more than one million people each week across television, radio, and digital platforms. We are deeply committed to journalistic integrity, community connection, and financial transparency in everything we do.

The KPBS Chief Technology Officer is responsible for the station's technology vision, infrastructure, and operations. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the CTO oversees Engineering, IT, and Production, ensuring that KPBS's technology ecosystem is reliable, secure, accessible, and future-ready.

The CTO plays a critical role in aligning technology strategy with KPBS's mission of public service, the operational frameworks of San Diego State University (SDSU), and the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF). This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on operational oversight in a fast-evolving media and technology environment.

As Chief Technology Officer, you will:

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for all KPBS technology operations, including broadcast engineering, IT systems, production technologies, digital platforms, cybersecurity, data governance, and cloud-based infrastructure.
• Develop and operationalize a forward-looking technology strategy that supports current operations while preparing KPBS for future platforms, workflows, and audience expectations.
• Lead and unify Engineering, IT, and Production teams, modernizing enterprise systems and creating seamless, end-to-end workflows across content creation and delivery.
• Guide organizational leaders in the adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, automation, and new digital distribution models.
• Ensure compliance with FCC regulations, CSU and campus policies, and federal and state laws, while strengthening disaster recovery, emergency response, and business continuity plans.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the General Manager and Management Council on technology investments, risks, and opportunities.
• Build and manage vendor and supplier relationships, licensing agreements, and service contracts to ensure high-quality, cost-effective solutions.
• Lead technology-related facilities and infrastructure planning, including transmission sites and major building systems, in partnership with SDSU and SDSURF.
• Foster a culture of inclusion, accessibility, collaboration, and continuous learning across all technology teams.

Why You'll Love Working at KPBS

• Mission-Driven Impact: Your work directly supports trusted journalism and educational programming that serves the San Diego community.
• Innovation with Purpose: Lead technology strategy at a station embracing digital transformation, new platforms, and emerging tools, while staying grounded in public service values.
• Collaborative Leadership: Partner with talented professionals across media, operations, and development in a culture that values transparency, teamwork, and shared success.
• Life in San Diego: Enjoy working in one of the nation's most dynamic regions, known for its creativity, diversity, and quality of life.

 

Position Information

• This is a full-time, at-will role, offering comprehensive benefits.
• Position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• The individual hired into this role will work on campus at KPBS/SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary
KPBS Public Media is San Diego's trusted PBS and NPR station, bringing award-winning news, in-depth investigations, educational programming, and cultural storytelling to the region for more than 60 years. Anchored on the campus of San Diego State University, KPBS connects, reflects, and serves all of our communities by delivering media that informs, inspires, and drives meaningful dialogue.

As a public media leader, KPBS is deeply committed to equity and inclusion while embracing diverse perspectives, nurturing a culture of belonging, and fostering a workplace and content ecosystem in which all voices are heard. With a robust presence across television, radio, digital, and live events, KPBS empowers audiences by offering stories that are not only current and local but also globally relevant.

For more information regarding KPBS, click here.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, telecommunications, digital engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience managing mission-critical technical infrastructure, including management of technical teams.
• Experience in modernizing broadcast or media production and distribution workflows.
• Understanding of FCC regulations and relevant industry standards.

Key Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead complex technology organizations in fast-changing environments.
• Strong understanding of broadcast engineering, IT systems, cybersecurity, and digital media platforms.
• Experience integrating systems across the full media lifecycle, from production through distribution.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable insights.
• Demonstrated success in project, change, and vendor management.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to accessibility, inclusive design, and public service values.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and sound judgment.

Licenses and Certifications Required
Valid California Driver's License and ability to travel locally for station business.

Compensation and Benefits
At San Diego State University, we value our team members and offer a competitive salary that reflects your qualifications and experience. But that's just the beginning! Our exceptional benefits package is designed to support your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Leave Benefits: Enjoy 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year.
• Retirement Security: Benefit from a CalPERS defined benefit pension plan, with reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan, plus retiree healthcare benefits.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access a variety of health, dental, and vision plans at no or low cost to you.
• Educational Opportunities: Take advantage of the California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent.
• Voluntary Benefits: Opt into additional benefits like Auto & Home Insurance, Life and Disability Insurances, a Legal Plan, Pet Insurance, and the ScholarShare 529 Plan for college savings.

The expected hiring salary for this position ranges from $185,000 to $200,000 annually.

SDSU Values
At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university. 

SDSU's Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices. 

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information
Apply by January 11, 2026, to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. 

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. 

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Casie Martinez at cmartinez12@sdsu.edu.