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Critical Media Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Audio/Video Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$155K - $210K/yr

Proficiency in C/C++ (C++11/14/17) for performance-critical media and networking code; Python for tooling and automation. * Solid experience with SIP/VoIP protocols and stacks (pjsip, Asterisk, or ...

Proficiency in C/C++ (C++11/14/17) for performance-critical media and networking code; Python for tooling and automation. * Solid experience with SIP/VoIP protocols and stacks (pjsip, Asterisk, or ...

System Administrator

Los Angeles, CA ยท Hybrid

$60 - $70/hr

Manage backup and disaster recovery for critical media assets and pipeline infrastructure. * Provide Tier 2 assistance with multi-site ticket escalations and incident resolution that may include ...

Media Buyer

Northbrook, IL ยท On-site

$26 - $36/hr

In this role, you should be an effective negotiator, critical thinker and able to establish trust and build rapport with media professionals. If you're knowledgeable about current media channels and ...

Media Buyer

Northbrook, IL ยท On-site

$26 - $36/hr

In this role, you should be an effective negotiator, critical thinker and able to establish trust and build rapport with media professionals. If you're knowledgeable about current media channels and ...

Media Buyer

Northbrook, IL ยท On-site

$26 - $36/hr

In this role, you should be an effective negotiator, critical thinker and able to establish trust and build rapport with media professionals. If you're knowledgeable about current media channels and ...

Multi Media Sales Representative

Hiawatha, IA ยท On-site

$74K - $91K/yr

... critical thinking and communication skills and a proven sales track record. Self-driven problem ... NRG Media provides medical, dental and vision offerings, 2 Employee Assistance Program options ...

Senior Audio/Video Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$155K - $210K/yr

Proficiency in C/C++ (C++11/14/17) for performance-critical media and networking code; Python for tooling and automation. * Solid experience with SIP/VoIP protocols and stacks (pjsip, Asterisk, or ...

Digital Media Director

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$100 - $130/hr

This role plays a critical part in shaping editorial strategy, driving multiplatform innovation ... The Digital Media Director oversees Digital Producers and digital content staff while leading the ...

Posted today

Multi Media Sales Representative

Hiawatha, IA ยท On-site

$74K - $91K/yr

... critical thinking and communication skills and a proven sales track record. Self-driven problem ... NRG Media provides medical, dental and vision offerings, 2 Employee Assistance Program options ...

Media Planner

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

The Media Planner plays a critical role in bringing that philosophy to life. In this role, you will support the development and execution of integrated, insight-driven media plans that align with ...

The Media Planner plays a critical role in bringing that philosophy to life. In this role, you will support the development and execution of integrated, insight-driven media plans that align with ...

Senior Audio/Video Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$155K - $210K/yr

Proficiency in C/C++ (C++11/14/17) for performance-critical media and networking code; Python for tooling and automation. * Solid experience with SIP/VoIP protocols and stacks (pjsip, Asterisk, or ...

Showing results 41-60

Critical Media information

See salary details

$56.5K

$120.2K

$129K

How much do critical media jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for critical media in the United States is $120,163.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,000.00 and $128,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a critical media?

Critical media jobs involve analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting media content through a critical lens. Professionals in this field examine the ways media shapes public perception, influences culture, and reflects societal values. They often work in academia, journalism, research, or media literacy organizations, focusing on issues like representation, bias, and power dynamics in media. These roles require strong analytical and communication skills, as well as a deep understanding of media theory and cultural studies.

What is the difference between Critical Media vs Media Analyst?

AspectCritical MediaMedia Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in media, communications, or related field; experience in media analysisBachelor's degree in media, communications, statistics, or related field; analytical skills
Work EnvironmentMedia companies, PR firms, advertising agenciesMedia agencies, market research firms, corporate communications
Employer & Industry UsageUsed for media monitoring, content analysis, and strategic planningUsed for analyzing media data, audience metrics, and campaign performance

Critical Media professionals focus on monitoring and analyzing media content to inform strategies, while Media Analysts interpret media data and audience insights to evaluate campaign effectiveness. Both roles require media-related credentials and often work within similar environments, but their core functions differ in scope and focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a critical media specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Critical Media Specialist, you need strong analytical abilities, media literacy, and a background in communications, media studies, or a related field. Familiarity with media monitoring tools, content management systems, and data analysis platforms is typically required. Exceptional critical thinking, written communication, and attention to detail help you stand out in this role. These skills ensure accurate analysis of media content and effective communication of insights, which are vital for shaping media strategies and understanding public discourse.

What are critical media studies?

Critical media studies is an academic field that analyzes how media messages influence society, culture, and power structures. It involves examining media content, production, and consumption to understand underlying ideologies and biases, often using theoretical frameworks and media analysis tools.

How does a critical media professional typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within an organization?

Critical Media professionals often work closely with departments like communications, public relations, marketing, and research to analyze media content and develop insights. Collaboration involves sharing findings on media trends, public sentiment, and representation, which inform campaign strategies or organizational messaging. Regular meetings and presentations are common, as is the need to adapt research approaches based on stakeholder feedback. This interdisciplinary teamwork helps ensure that media analyses are actionable and aligned with broader organizational goals.
More about Critical Media jobs
Infographic showing various Critical Media job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,163 per year, or $57.8 per hour.

Senior Audio/Video Engineer

Knightscope

Sunnyvale, CA โ€ข On-site

$155K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

About Knightscope

Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) is a security technology company building the nation's first Autonomous Security Force - autonomous machines, AI-driven software, and elite security professionals operating as one integrated managed service. The Company is on a mission to make the United States of America the safest country in the world. One Team. One Force.

About the Role

Knightscope is seeking two Senior Audio/Video Engineers to own the real-time audio and video infrastructure across the ICM and Signals platforms. These engineers will be responsible for the full A/V stack - from WebRTC ingest and GStreamer pipeline architecture to low-latency audio processing and multi-stream rendering. Given the thin talent pool for combined WebRTC and low-latency audio expertise, both positions will be recruited simultaneously.


Location Requirement: Full-time, on-site at Sunnyvale HQ (No relocation provided)


Key Responsibilities

  • Design, build, and maintain the end-to-end real-time video pipeline: WebRTC/RTSP/RTMP ingest, hardware-accelerated transcoding, and simultaneous multi-stream rendering for up to 10 concurrent robot video feeds.
  • Architect and optimize GStreamer-based multi-branch pipelines for video capture, processing, recording, and cloud upload (S3) - including codec selection, pad/cap negotiation, and plugin development.
  • Own the full audio subsystem: real-time two-way audio, SIP/VoIP integration (pjsip/Asterisk), text-to-speech (AWS Polly), and talk-down functionality with a sub-200ms end-to-end round-trip latency target.
  • Implement and optimize WebRTC signaling, ICE, DTLS-SRTP, and media server components for reliable low-latency communication across distributed robot deployments.
  • Profile, debug, and tune A/V pipeline performance for low latency, high throughput, and resilience under concurrent multi-robot load and variable network conditions.
  • Build Make-a-Clip functionality enabling operators to extract, annotate, and store video segments from live and recorded feeds.
  • Define and maintain A/V API contracts in collaboration with ICM and Signals platform engineers; contribute to code reviews, technical documentation, and on-call runbooks.
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to architectural decisions across the A/V stack.

Required Qualifications

  • 7-10 years of software engineering experience specializing in real-time audio and video systems in production environments.
  • Deep expertise in WebRTC - including signaling protocols, ICE/STUN/TURN, DTLS-SRTP, RTP/RTCP, and media server architecture (Janus, mediasoup, or equivalent).
  • Strong hands-on proficiency with GStreamer at the developer level: building and debugging complex multi-branch media pipelines, working with elements, pads, caps, and custom plugins.
  • Proficiency in C/C++ (C++11/14/17) for performance-critical media and networking code; Python for tooling and automation.
  • Solid experience with SIP/VoIP protocols and stacks (pjsip, Asterisk, or equivalent) and low-latency audio processing.
  • Strong understanding of audio/video codecs (H.264/H.265, VP9, AAC, Opus) and streaming protocols (RTSP, RTMP, HLS, RTP).
  • Experience with AWS media services (S3, Kinesis Video Streams, Polly, or equivalent) and cloud-based media pipeline architectures.
  • Familiarity with hardware-accelerated video processing (NVIDIA NVENC/NVDEC, V4L2, or equivalent) is a strong plus.
  • BS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent professional experience.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Base Salary: $155,000 - $210,000 each (DOE)
  • Equity: Stock options
  • Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off
  • Location Requirement: Full-time, on-site at Sunnyvale HQ