A
Playback Engineer
Accepting applicationsArcadian · Culver City, CA
Full-Time Entry AIC++Javaaiate
Posted
2d ago
Category
Test
Experience
Entry
Country
United States
We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer specializing in video playback services and player technologies to help deliver world-class streaming experiences. In this role, you will focus on building, optimizing, and evolving our playback platform, working across web, mobile, and connected devices. You will leverage modern player frameworks to fine-tune playback performance, reliability, and quality at scale.
The Senior Software Engineer will collaborate closely with video infrastructure, CDN, encoding, product, and device teams to ensure a seamless, high-quality viewing experience.
Job Responsibilities:
Design, develop, and maintain playback services and client player integrations powering Sony Pictures' streaming applications
Build and enhance playback functionality using Shaka Player, Media3 Player (ExoPlayer), Video.js, ,hls.js and other open source video players across web, mobile, and connected TV platforms
Improve startup time, buffering performance, bitrate adaptation, and playback reliability
Optimize playback pipelines for HLS and DASH streaming, including DRM, adaptive bitrate (ABR), and CDN interaction
Analyze playback telemetry and QoE metrics to identify performance bottlenecks and drive improvements at scale
Conduct deep technical investigations into playback failures, device compatibility issues, and streaming edge cases
Implement advanced features such as: Low latency streaming; DRM integrations (Widevine, PlayReady, FairPlay); Ad insertion (SSAI / CSAI); Offline playback
Collaborate with device partners and platform teams to resolve platform-specific playback issues across browsers, mobile OS, and smart TVs
Contribute to technical strategy and best practices for streaming media playback
Implement playback monitoring, telemetry, and analytics instrumentation to measure and improve video QoE
Develop tools and dashboards to monitor playback health and diagnose issues in production environments
Job Qualifications:
5+ years of software engineering experience in video streaming, media playback, or related areas
Strong experience with video player frameworks, including at least one of: Shaka Player, Media3 Player, Video.js, hls.js
Deep understanding of adaptive streaming protocols: HLS, MPEG-DASH, CMAF
Familiarity with DRM technologies including Widevine, PlayReady, or FairPlay.
Strong proficiency in JavaScript / TypeScript and at least one backend or systems language (e.g., Java, Kotlin, Go, or C++).
Experience analyzing video QoE metrics (startup time, rebuffering, bitrate adaptation, playback errors).
Experience debugging cross-platform playback issues across browsers and devices.
Preferred Qualification:
Experience building or contributing to player SDKs or playback frameworks
Familiarity with Media3 Player (ExoPlayer) internals and Android media pipeline
Experience with ad-supported streaming and FAST channel delivery
Experience working with CDNs, edge delivery, and media packaging pipelines
Understanding of modern codecs
Experience contributing to or working with open source player ecosystems
Job Work Set up:
Onsite (Office Location: Culver City, CA) - Mondays to Thursdays / Remote - Fridays
40 work hours/week
Full-Time Position with Benefits - Includes Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
Note: This position does not include Paid Time Off (PTO) or 401(k) benefits.
Who are we?
Arcadian is a global leader in innovative technology solutions, seamlessly bridging expertise and scalability across the streaming video entertainment industry. As a B2B services company, we provide support with video and audio transcoding, quality assurance, app development, software development, and customer service. We have team members located in Los Angeles, Chicago, Singapore, and the Philippines.
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The Senior Software Engineer will collaborate closely with video infrastructure, CDN, encoding, product, and device teams to ensure a seamless, high-quality viewing experience.
Job Responsibilities:
Design, develop, and maintain playback services and client player integrations powering Sony Pictures' streaming applications
Build and enhance playback functionality using Shaka Player, Media3 Player (ExoPlayer), Video.js, ,hls.js and other open source video players across web, mobile, and connected TV platforms
Improve startup time, buffering performance, bitrate adaptation, and playback reliability
Optimize playback pipelines for HLS and DASH streaming, including DRM, adaptive bitrate (ABR), and CDN interaction
Analyze playback telemetry and QoE metrics to identify performance bottlenecks and drive improvements at scale
Conduct deep technical investigations into playback failures, device compatibility issues, and streaming edge cases
Implement advanced features such as: Low latency streaming; DRM integrations (Widevine, PlayReady, FairPlay); Ad insertion (SSAI / CSAI); Offline playback
Collaborate with device partners and platform teams to resolve platform-specific playback issues across browsers, mobile OS, and smart TVs
Contribute to technical strategy and best practices for streaming media playback
Implement playback monitoring, telemetry, and analytics instrumentation to measure and improve video QoE
Develop tools and dashboards to monitor playback health and diagnose issues in production environments
Job Qualifications:
5+ years of software engineering experience in video streaming, media playback, or related areas
Strong experience with video player frameworks, including at least one of: Shaka Player, Media3 Player, Video.js, hls.js
Deep understanding of adaptive streaming protocols: HLS, MPEG-DASH, CMAF
Familiarity with DRM technologies including Widevine, PlayReady, or FairPlay.
Strong proficiency in JavaScript / TypeScript and at least one backend or systems language (e.g., Java, Kotlin, Go, or C++).
Experience analyzing video QoE metrics (startup time, rebuffering, bitrate adaptation, playback errors).
Experience debugging cross-platform playback issues across browsers and devices.
Preferred Qualification:
Experience building or contributing to player SDKs or playback frameworks
Familiarity with Media3 Player (ExoPlayer) internals and Android media pipeline
Experience with ad-supported streaming and FAST channel delivery
Experience working with CDNs, edge delivery, and media packaging pipelines
Understanding of modern codecs
Experience contributing to or working with open source player ecosystems
Job Work Set up:
Onsite (Office Location: Culver City, CA) - Mondays to Thursdays / Remote - Fridays
40 work hours/week
Full-Time Position with Benefits - Includes Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
Note: This position does not include Paid Time Off (PTO) or 401(k) benefits.
Who are we?
Arcadian is a global leader in innovative technology solutions, seamlessly bridging expertise and scalability across the streaming video entertainment industry. As a B2B services company, we provide support with video and audio transcoding, quality assurance, app development, software development, and customer service. We have team members located in Los Angeles, Chicago, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Show more Show less