--- title: 'Rugby Systems Operator at Hawk-Eye Innovations (HEI)' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/rugby-systems-operator-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-united-kingdom-ke4jbqs07qbg' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-11' --- # Rugby Systems Operator at Hawk-Eye Innovations (HEI) - **Company:** Hawk-Eye Innovations (HEI) - **Location:** United Kingdom - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-09-08 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/hawkeyeinnovations/ddf288b9-d7cc-4bed-87c2-5ff10f6edee3 ## Job description Rugby Systems Operator Location: Within a commutable distance of the Basingstoke office, with willingness to travel to matches/events Contract: Full-Time, Permanent Travel: There will be travel domestically, with potential travel across Europe and globally Expected Start Date: ASAP Why Hawk-Eye & Why Rugby? Hawk-Eye provides video replay services across a wide number of local and global Rugby events, including domestic UK & European club competitions, international fixtures and major World Rugby events. We are passionate about Rugby and dedicated to bringing the best experiences to our audience. Our team is growing, and we are looking for talented individuals like you to join us on this exciting journey. This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of sports technology across major sporting events. You will be part of a dynamic team delivering world-class tech solutions, designed to make rugby safer, fairer and more engaging. The Rugby department delivers our[SMART](https://www.hawkeyeinnovations.com/smart) product across a wide range of high-profile Rugby events all over the globe each year. Want to learn more? Check this blog out:https://medium.com/hawk-eye-innovations/team-hawk-eye-the-people-podcast-series-2-episode-1-37e1cb634f08 What Does A Rugby Systems Operator Do? - Installation and setup of Hawk-Eye technology in the build-up to matches, and performing pre-match checks (this can involve physically demanding work, such as rigging cameras and running cables); - Operation of Hawk-Eye video replay technology, supporting users such as Match Officials and Match Day Medical Staff in identifying and reviewing potential incidents; - Liaise with key stakeholders from broadcasters, companies, match officials and teams to ensure all contractual obligations are seamlessly delivered; - Deliver Remote Support to live operations using your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot hardware and software issues; - Providing quick resolutions for any technical issues; - Liaise with our Rugby Remote Support team to ensure smooth setup and match operations; - Conduct detailed pre-match checks of the system in accordance with standard procedures; - Monitoring hardware and software performance; - Taking ownership of our system on-site and representing our company in the best possible manner; - Research and development into new projects and technologies; - Maintenance of the kit and equipment needed to run the system. Why Is This the Right Job for You? This position is perfect for you if you possess: - A technical grounding - Strong problem-solving skills - Excellent communication with the ability to liaise with clients and customers in a professional and approachable manner - Great teamwork skills - A passion for innovation - A willingness to learn - Flexible and willing to travel worldwide regularly - The ability to thrive in a fast-paced and pressurised environment - An interest in rugby and/or rugby analysis - French Language skills are a bonus At Hawk-Eye Innovations, we appreciate and value the importance of potential and growth. If you believe that you excel in certain areas and possess the passion and desire to develop further, we encourage you to apply. Team Culture: We pride ourselves on our team culture. We believe in fostering a supportive environment where every team member can contribute their best work. Our core values include: - Innovation: We constantly seek new ways to improve and innovate in the sports entertainment industry. - Teamwork: We celebrate our successes and learn from our experiences as a team. - Passion: We love creating and making a difference through sport. What Difficulties Might I Face? Up to this point, I’m sure there have been many things that you find intriguing about the role; however, there can be difficult times: Working Hours: Due to the nature of the sports industry, there is often work on weekends and midweek evenings, and we are expected to fulfil our roles until the last minute. Travelling Abroad: You can expect to spend periods of the year working throughout Europe and internationally, based on the events in the sporting calendar. High-Pressure Situations: Working in a live broadcast environment on a production that is distributed to millions worldwide will bring high levels of pressure. We will do our best to train and equip you to the best possible level to help with these, but they must be considered before submitting your application. Application & Hiring Process: - Application: If you're interested in this position, please submit your CV, complete the application form and hit submit. - Task Submission: Successful candidates from the application stage will receive an invitation to access our video interview platform. We will ask you to complete a one-way video interview (Hireflix platform). Once you have completed the task, our team will take a period of time to review all tasks and provide application updates. - Assessment Event: Successful candidates from the video interview stage will be invited to one of our Hawk-Eye Assessment Events. This could be virtual or in-person, and you will be provided with further details and preparation material before the event. - Offers & Feedback: The team will take time to review all feedback and conduct our final reviews. ## About Hawk-Eye Innovations (HEI) ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Hawk-Eye Innovations is the global leader in sports officiating and broadcast enhancement technology, providing optical tracking, video replay, and data analytics to make sport fairer, safer, and more engaging. - **Entity Type**: Private (Subsidiary of Sony Group) - **Headquarters**: Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom (with additional offices in Southampton, London, Bristol, Atlanta, and remote centers across 43 countries) - **Founded**: 2001 - **Founders**: Paul Hawkins (inventor of the Hawk-Eye system) ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Sports Technology, Officiating Technology, Broadcast Production, Performance Analytics - **Target customers**: Professional sports leagues, federations, broadcasters, and teams (B2B) across football, cricket, tennis, baseball, American football, basketball, rugby, ice hockey, and more. - **Mission or purpose statement**: "To pioneer change in sport, challenging convention for its betterment through a unique blend of creativity, tech, and innovation." Their vision is "To be the trusted choice for pioneering and inspiring change in sport." ## Products & Services - **Optical Tracking & Camera Calibration**: Powers performance, ball, and object tracking across all sports. - **Video Replay & Officiating Systems**: Multi-angle replay technology underpinning VAR (football), Goal Line Technology, Semi-Automated Offside, TMO (rugby), Electronic Line Calling (tennis), and MLB/NHL/NFL replay systems. - **Insight & Data Analytics**: Data collation, aggregation, and visualization for broadcast, team analytics, and fan engagement. - **StatCast (MLB)**: Core ball, player, and bat tracking data for Major League Baseball since 2019. - **Beyond Sports Integration**: Real-time 3D game recreations for broadcast (sister company within Sony Sports). ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private subsidiary of Sony Group). - **Key Metric**: Operates across 95+ countries, covering 400+ seasons, 400+ stadiums, and 45,000+ matches per year. Employs over 1,000 team members. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Part of the Sony Sports family (alongside Pulselive and Beyond Sports). Key clients include FIFA, UEFA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, ICC, ATP, and WTA. - **Growth Signals**: Rapidly expanding in North America (Atlanta hub for MLB, NFL, MLS). Implementing new technologies like ABS (Automated Ball-Striking) Challenge system in baseball. Expanding into new sports and leagues globally. ## Competitive Advantages - **Unmatched Credibility & Longevity**: Over 20 years as the gold standard in sports officiating, trusted by the world's top leagues and federations. - **Proprietary Technology**: Sub-second skeletal tracking, advanced camera calibration, and optical tracking systems that are deeply integrated into major sports (e.g., MLB StatCast, NFL replay, VAR). - **Sony Ecosystem Backing**: Access to Sony's resources, R&D, and global distribution network provides stability and scale. - **Global Scale & Data Moat**: The sheer volume of matches and data processed (45,000+ matches/year) creates a massive data advantage that is difficult for competitors to replicate. ## Strategic Focus - **North American Expansion**: Growing the Atlanta office to support MLB, NFL, and MLS, hiring exceptional talent for the region. - **Innovation in Officiating**: Developing and deploying new technologies like Semi-Automated Offside (SAOT) and ABS Challenge systems. - **Broadcast & Fan Engagement**: Enhancing real-time 3D recreations and data visualization through the Sony Sports ecosystem. - **Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring globally for software engineering, operations, product management, and commercial roles to support growth. ## Why Work Here - **Global Impact**: Work on technology that directly influences the world's biggest sporting events (UEFA Champions League, World Cup, Super Bowl, Wimbledon, etc.). - **Culture & Values**: "Be Brave, Be Owners, Be Inclusive." The company emphasizes bold problem-solving, entrepreneurial ownership, and a diverse, united community. - **Flexible & Remote Working**: Offers flexible and remote working options, with a global presence allowing for travel and relocation opportunities. - **Benefits**: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, Sony discounts, free access to the Unmind app (mental health), health & wellness activities, and an onsite gym at the Basingstoke HQ. - **Career Growth**: Opportunities to travel the world as a systems operator, or grow within engineering, product, and leadership teams. The company is scaling rapidly, especially in North America. ## Sources 1. [Hawk-Eye Innovations Official Site](https://www.hawkeyeinnovations.com/) 2. [Hawk-Eye About Page](https://www.hawkeyeinnovations.com/about) 3. [Hawk-Eye Careers Page](https://careers.hawkeyeinnovations.com/) 4. [Hawk-Eye Jobs (Ashby)](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/hawkeyeinnovations) 5. [CB Insights Company Profile](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/hawk-eye-innovations-limited) ## Other roles at Hawk-Eye Innovations (HEI) - [Football Technology Systems Operator - Singapore](https://feeny.ai/job/football-technology-systems-operator-singapore-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-jw1mj62js876) — Singapore - [Technical Lead – Singapore (VAR Services)](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-lead-singapore-var-services-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-singapore-286pcw5hvn38) — Singapore - [Operations Manager – Singapore (VAR Services)](https://feeny.ai/job/operations-manager-singapore-var-services-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-singapore-pbznctw0e89y) — Singapore - [C++ Unreal Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/c-unreal-engineer-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-budapest-j150sq3qdc7z) — Budapest, Hungary - [College Sports Systems Technician - Purdue University, Big Ten](https://feeny.ai/job/college-sports-systems-technician-purdue-university-big-ten-hawk-eye-7fqm1p7w8s0d) — Purdue University - [IT Support Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/it-support-analyst-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-london-y58emqyt86gd) — London, United Kingdom - [Technical Engineering Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-engineering-lead-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-budapest-c75cnb79d2fk) — Budapest, Hungary - [College Sports Systems Technician - Rutgers University, Big Ten](https://feeny.ai/job/college-sports-systems-technician-rutgers-university-big-ten-hawk-eye-she9dh386es1) — Rutgers University-New Brunswick - [Junior Product Owner](https://feeny.ai/job/junior-product-owner-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-budapest-pyxve76sehkt) — Budapest, Hungary - [Football Systems Operator (VAR/ ARO)](https://feeny.ai/job/football-systems-operator-var-aro-hawk-eye-innovations-hei-stockley-park-w6cqex81bjre) — Stockley Park