We’re Hiring: Senior C++ Playback Engineer (Staffing Client Opportunity)

Our client is looking for a Senior C++ Playback Engineer to join their engineering team. This role will focus on building high-performance native C++ video players using GStreamer for Smart TVs, Set-Top Boxes, and Gaming Consoles.

If you’re passionate about low-level performance, video playback optimization, and advanced streaming technology, this is an excellent opportunity to work on highly technical, impactful products.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain native C++ streaming video players for Smart TV, Set-Top Box, or Gaming Console platforms.
• Develop video player plugins using GStreamer.
• Research, evaluate, and propose technical solutions for playback architecture.
• Make key design decisions on player structure and performance.
• Implement DRM solutions including Microsoft PlayReady and Google Widevine.
• Optimize video playback performance, including time-to-first-frame (TTFF).
• Maintain detailed technical documentation.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (engineering, QA, product).
• Work within an Agile/Scrum development environment and deliver on time.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of professional experience with C/C++ programming.
• Experience developing native applications on TV platforms (NDK), such as Roku, FireTV, tvOS, WebTV.
• Experience with high refresh rate performance projects.
• Familiarity with open-source multimedia frameworks: FFmpeg, GStreamer, WebRTC.
• Experience building streaming video players (C++ preferred).
• Strong knowledge of streaming protocols:
• HLS, Low-Latency HLS, MPEG-DASH, CMAF, RTP, RTMP, ID3 metadata.
• Experience with Smart TV / Set-Top Box / console ecosystems:
• Samsung Tizen, Vizio, Hisense, Xbox, PlayStation, etc.
• Knowledge of Closed Captioning & Subtitle formats (WebVTT) and multilingual audio.
• Strong experience with DRM: MPEG-CENC, FairPlay, Widevine, PlayReady.
• Basic understanding of VOD and linear workflows (ingest, encoding, transmuxing, SSAI, packaging).
• Understanding of multi-CDN architectures and adaptive bitrate (ABR) algorithms.
• Experience consuming or developing REST APIs.
• Knowledge of modern codecs: HEVC, H.265, H.264, VP8, VP9, AV1.
• Familiarity with Dolby Vision and HDR formats.
• Strong background with Agile/Scrum methodologies.
• Ability to write clean, testable code and take ownership of features/components.
• Comfortable working end-to-end on large-scope projects.
• Familiarity with Jira and Confluence, and ability to communicate estimations and progress clearly.