App Optimization Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity
Adobe's Nextcam team is seeking a Software Development Engineer with training and/or experience in building smartphone apps for iOS, to join our team in San Jose, California. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience developing, optimizing, and shipping camera, photography, graphics, or image processing apps.
About our Team and Project Indigo
Nextcam is a relatively new team, led by VP and Fellow Marc Levoy. We're part of the larger org responsible for Photoshop and Lightroom, but we operate like a startup inside that org - with significant agility and autonomy. As part of our portfolio, we recently launched Project Indigo, an experimental camera app for iPhone that combines computational photography and AI, and that deliberately explores the boundaries of what is possible in a mobile camera. The app offers full manual controls, a more natural ("SLR-like") look, and the highest image quality that computational photography can provide. It also introduces new photographic experiences that are not available in other camera apps. The app, which is available for free on the App Store, went viral after launch, garnering millions of downloads and earning broad positive coverage in the tech press. Here is a blog about the app.
At present, project Indigo is an experiment - although a very successful one. Our goal is to turn it into an Adobe product., with regular releases of new features, a broader OS footprint (Android comes later), and the best possible performance. Note the "What's next?" paragraphs at the end of the blog, which enumerate some of the features we plan to add. To achieve these goals, we are scaling up the team. Come help us build the future of mobile photography!
What will you work on?
While you will have significant ownership in shaping your role within the team, your responsibilities will broadly include API design (evolving existing components and architecting new ones), feature development, performance optimization (at the OS, algorithmic, and GPU levels), debugging (both on-device and through unit testing), staying current with iOS platform developments, reducing technical debt, and contributing to overall UX improvements.
Required skills (you don't need to have every one of these skills)
• Proficiency in Swift, Objective-C, and modern C++
• Experience with iOS app architectures and common design patterns (MVC/MVVM, modularization)
• Ability to write thread-safe code, and design systems with concurrency in mind
• Ability to write concise and well-documented code and unit tests
• Experience building Swift UIs
• Ability to debug and profile applications using Xcode and Instruments
• Experience working with source control, CI/DC pipelines, and automated test harnesses
• Experience shipping and maintaining production iOS applications
• Enthusiasm for working with AI coding agents while maintaining high-quality
Nice to have
• Experience with camera apps, computational photography, and/or modern AI
• Computational photography or image processing experience
• Camera Raw and Lightroom experience
• GPU programming experience, especially Metal
• Experience integrating machine learning on iOS (CoreML, ONNX)
• Ability to manage memory effectively, including low-level C++ memory management
• Familiarity with camera systems and capture pipelines
• Ability to optimize CPU and memory usage
• Familiarity with CI and similar build systems
• Experience managing iOS signing, provisioning and build configuration
• Proficiency with Python for tooling, prototyping, or pipeline support
• A passion for photography
About Adobe
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe's industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We're on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.
Let's Adobe together
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Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
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Expected Pay Range:
Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this position is $139,000 -- $257,550 annually. Pay within this range varies by work location and may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process.
In California, the pay range for this position is $177,900 - $257,550
At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.
State-Specific Notices:
California:
Fair Chance Ordinances
Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and "fair chance" ordinances.
Colorado:
Application Window Notice
If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Legal Notice
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.