Prepress Systems Engineer

We are seeking a highly skilled Prepress Systems Engineer to design, manage, and optimize our prepress infrastructure and applications ensuring peak system performance for all systems. This role is essential for the architectural planning, deployment, and maintenance of prepress-specific applications, systems, and networks. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in prepress technology, desktop and app-specific support, and performance optimization across networks and systems. You will provide technical guidance to improve system efficiency and employee productivity, while also troubleshooting issues and researching solutions for our prepress environment.

Key Responsibilities

• System Architecture and Design: Develop and maintain the architecture for prepress systems, ensuring scalable and efficient performance across all related software and hardware, whether cloud or on-prem.
• Application Support: Provide desktop and application-specific support for prepress tools, including Adobe Creative Suite, RIP software, and other prepress applications. Ensure compatibility and smooth operation within the system architecture.
• Performance Optimization: Continuously monitor, troubleshoot, and enhance system, network, and application performance to reduce downtime and increase speed and reliability.
• Network and Systems Optimization: Collaborate with IT and prepress teams to ensure optimal network performance, addressing connectivity, data transfer, and processing speed requirements.
• Support and Training: Provide technical support and training for prepress operators and other employees, ensuring they can efficiently utilize systems and applications.
• Troubleshooting and Research: Diagnose issues across software, hardware, and networks; conduct research to stay updated on new technologies and solutions that could benefit the prepress infrastructure.
• Documentation and Best Practices: Develop and maintain technical documentation, outlining system architecture, troubleshooting steps, and best practices for prepress operations.
• Collaboration with IT and Production Teams: Work closely with IT and production teams to align prepress systems with overall IT infrastructure and production goals.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Graphic Arts, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in prepress systems architecture, IT support, or a similar role within a print or graphic production environment.

Technical Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of prepress software, including Adobe Creative Suite, RIPs (e.g., EFI, Harlequin), and color management tools.
• Proficiency in network infrastructure and system performance tuning.
• Expertise in desktop support for application-specific troubleshooting and configuration.
• Experience in system architecture across both cloud and on-prem
• Experience with scripting or automation to enhance workflow performance.
• Strong understanding of file management standards, including PDF, TIFF, and EPS formats.

Preferred Certifications:

• Relevant certifications in network and system management, such as CompTIA Network+ or A+, are a plus.
• G7 or color management certifications are advantageous.

Fanatics Collectibles is a leading licensor, producer, designer, and seller of physical and digital trading cards, sports memorabilia, and other digital assets for entertainment and sports properties globally, as well as a manufacturer of physical and digital trading cards. It has secured exclusive licensing arrangements with major national professional sports leagues, including the MLB, NFL and the NBA, and related players associations, to produce physical and digital trading cards and other collectibles.

Fanatics Collectibles also has partnerships with a number of individual international sports teams and leagues, as well as owners of other entertainment properties granting similar exclusive rights. Fanatics Collectibles recently announced Fanatics Live, expected to launch later in 2023, which will focus on transforming the digital shopping experience through personality-driven content and entertainment.