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Playback Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

5V Video

Android Exoplayer Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

We're looking for a Senior Android Playback Engineer to help build and scale the video playback experience for a fast-growing streaming platform. This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who ...

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Versant Media

Sr. Software Engineer

Englewood Cliffs, NJ

$124K - $164K/yr

Video Platform & Client Playback Engineering * Lead development of video player frameworks and SDKs across multiple platforms (web, iOS, Android, CTV). * Ensure seamless integration of playback ...

Tandym Tech

Senior Roku Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$112K - $154K/yr

Integrate and troubleshoot APIs, authentication flows, playback functionality, and multiple user screens * Support production issues and collaborate with engineering partners to deliver durable fixes

EchoStar

Principal Android Engineer

Englewood, CO

$127K - $181K/yr

Enterprise Android deployments require robust architecture, reliable playback, and enterprise-grade observability across diverse device fleets. The Principal Android Engineer solves critical scale ...

EchoStar

Principal Android Engineer

Englewood, CO · On-site

$127K - $181K/yr

Enterprise Android deployments require robust architecture, reliable playback, and enterprise-grade observability across diverse device fleets. The Principal Android Engineer solves critical scale ...

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How much do playback engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for playback engineer in the United States is $47.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.82 and $60.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a playback engineer do?

A Playback Engineer is responsible for managing and operating the backing tracks, click tracks, and digital elements used in live performances. They ensure seamless audio playback using software like Ableton Live, often syncing tracks with lighting and video cues. Their role includes programming setlists, troubleshooting technical issues, and collaborating with musicians and crew to maintain consistent sound quality.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a playback engineer?

To thrive as a Playback Engineer, you need expertise in audio engineering, signal flow, and live sound reinforcement, often demonstrated by a degree or equivalent experience in audio production. Familiarity with playback systems such as Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and digital audio interfaces—as well as certifications from manufacturers or relevant training—are highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills help you excel in high-pressure environments. These competencies ensure smooth integration of playback tracks, seamless show execution, and effective collaboration with artists and technical teams.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a playback engineer during a live event tour?

As a Playback Engineer on tour, you'll be responsible for programming, operating, and maintaining playback systems that supply pre-recorded tracks, click tracks, and timecode to the band and production team. Your typical day may include setting up and testing equipment, troubleshooting technical issues, coordinating with musical directors and other crew members, and ensuring all playback cues run accurately during performances. You may also collaborate with lighting and video teams to synchronize production elements and may need to adapt to last-minute show changes. The role requires flexibility and strong communication skills, as you'll often work in fast-paced, dynamic environments to deliver flawless live productions.

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Playback Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Playback Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,940 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Android Exoplayer Engineer

Denver, CO • On-site

5V Video
See more jobs at 5V Videoexternal

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Job description

We're looking for a Senior Android Playback Engineer to help build and scale the video playback experience for a fast-growing streaming platform. This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who genuinely nerds out on media playback - buffering strategy, adaptive bitrate, DRM, and squeezing every bit of quality and reliability out of the Android viewing experience across phones, tablets, and Android TV/Google TV devices.

You’ll work at the intersection of app engineering and media systems, partnering closely with backend, CDN, QA, and product teams to ship a playback experience that just works - fast starts, minimal rebuffering, and rock-solid stability at scale.

What You’ll Do
  • Own and evolve the Android video playback stack, built on ExoPlayer / Media3, across mobile and Android TV/Google TV.
  • Design and tune adaptive bitrate (ABR) logic, buffering strategy, and startup-time optimization to reduce rebuffering and time-to-first-frame.
  • Implement and maintain DRM workflows (Widevine) and secure playback paths for licensed content.
  • Work with HLS and/or DASH streaming protocols, CDN behavior, and manifest handling to diagnose and resolve real-world playback issues.
  • Build robust error handling, retry logic, and telemetry so playback failures are caught, understood, and fixed fast.
  • Partner with data/analytics teams to define and track playback QoE metrics (startup time, rebuffer ratio, bitrate switches, error rates).
  • Collaborate with backend, DevOps, QA, and product teams across the full playback pipeline - not just the client.
  • Profile and optimize for performance, battery usage, memory footprint, and device fragmentation across the Android ecosystem.
  • Mentor other engineers on playback and media architecture, and help raise the bar on code quality and testing.
  • Stay current on evolving codecs, DRM standards, and streaming protocols, and bring recommendations back to the team.
What You Bring
  • 5-8+ years of professional Android development experience, with a meaningful chunk of that focused on media/video playback.
  • Strong hands-on experience with ExoPlayer or Media3 in production apps.
  • Solid understanding of adaptive streaming protocols (HLS, DASH) and how CDNs, manifests, and segment delivery affect playback.
  • Experience implementing DRM (Widevine required; PlayReady/FairPlay exposure a plus) in a commercial streaming app.
  • Strong Kotlin and/or Java skills, with a solid grasp of Android app architecture (MVVM, Coroutines, DI frameworks like Hilt/Dagger).
  • Experience developing for Android TV / Google TV or other living-room/CTV platforms is a strong plus.
  • Comfort with performance profiling and debugging tools (Android Studio Profiler, systrace/Perfetto, network inspection).
  • A track record of shipping and supporting apps at real scale - not just demos or side projects.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally with backend, QA, and product partners.
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