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Playback Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Software Engineer

$125K - $165K/yr

You'll focus on playback quality, startup time, latency, and cross-browser/device reliability, while making the SDK easy to integrate, observe, and extend. Success in this role requires strong ...

Help ensure we provide a good playback experience across the different devices we support and help improve performance. * Mentor junior team members and provide constructive feedback such as in code ...

Build high-performance mobile experiences focused on video playback, streaming reliability, and application scalability * Develop and enhance features related to adaptive streaming, offline playback ...

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Showing results 1-20

Playback information

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$5

$19

$25

How much do playback jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for playback in the United States is $19.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Playback Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Playback Engineer, you need a solid understanding of audio engineering, digital audio workstations (DAWs), and live sound principles, often supported by relevant audio production education or experience. Familiarity with playback systems like Ableton Live, Pro Tools, and hardware such as audio interfaces and MIDI controllers is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills help ensure smooth coordination with artists and crew during live performances. These skills are crucial for delivering reliable and high-quality audio playback, minimizing technical issues, and supporting seamless shows.

What does a Playback operator do?

A Playback operator is responsible for managing and controlling the video, audio, and graphics content that is played back during live events, broadcasts, or film productions. They ensure that pre-recorded media is cued and displayed at the right moments, working closely with directors and production teams to maintain smooth transitions. This role requires technical knowledge of playback systems and quick problem-solving skills to handle any issues that may arise during live performances.

What is the difference between Playback vs Sound Engineer?

AspectPlaybackSound Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires technical training or certification in audio/visual technologyRequires audio engineering certifications or degrees in sound design or related fields
Work EnvironmentLive events, theaters, concerts, and broadcast settingsRecording studios, live events, film sets, and broadcast stations
Industry UsageUsed in live performances to manage audio playbackInvolved in recording, mixing, and sound design for various media

While both Playback and Sound Engineer roles involve audio technology, Playback primarily focuses on managing pre-recorded audio during live events, whereas Sound Engineers handle recording, mixing, and sound design across different media. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the audio industry.

What are some common challenges faced by Playback Operators during live productions, and how can these be managed?

Playback Operators in live production environments often face challenges such as last-minute content changes, technical glitches with media servers, and the pressure of synchronizing playback cues with other departments. Successful operators stay organized by preparing backup files, conducting thorough technical checks before events, and maintaining clear communication with directors and technical teams. Being adaptable and having a strong understanding of the playback system are essential for managing these challenges smoothly.
More about Playback jobs
What cities are hiring for Playback jobs? Cities with the most Playback job openings:
What states have the most Playback jobs? States with the most job openings for Playback jobs include:
Infographic showing various Playback job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 80% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,158 per year, or $19.3 per hour.
Software Engineer 5 - TV & Web Player Platform

Software Engineer 5 - TV & Web Player Platform

Netflix

Los Gatos, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Netflix rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 65 rated media


Job description

At Netflix, our mission is to entertain the world. Together, we are writing the next episode - pushing the boundaries of storytelling, global fandom and making the unimaginable a reality. We are a dream team obsessed with the uncomfortable excitement of discovering what happens when you merge creativity, intuition and cutting-edge technology. Come be a part of what's next.
The Team
The TV & Web Player Platform team is responsible for developing streaming video players that deliver industry-leading playback experiences within the Netflix app on consumer electronic devices and web browsers. Our players operate on millions of devices, including Smart TVs, streaming sticks, game consoles, set-top boxes, and browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. We aim to delight our members with innovative playback features and exceptional streaming quality.
Our team is at the forefront of testing a diverse set of innovative activities related to product feature expansion. This includes creating tests for playback features such as Live Streaming, Seamless Ads playback, and Ident innovation. We conduct A/B tests to thoroughly evaluate features and ensure they perform optimally without regressions. We are deeply involved in continuous integration and release management testing of our video player, which is core to our operations. This critical function ensures the delivery of the best streaming experience to our members by maintaining high standards of quality and performance. Our team collaborates with various cross-functional teams across Netflix, including UI, Encoding, Streaming Algorithms, Security, and Open Connect, to support product development and experimentation through rigorous testing.
This team consists of engineers from diverse backgrounds, bringing expertise across multiple disciplines, including embedded systems, streaming media playback, content protection, client-server communication, networking protocols, continuous integration, test automation, experimentation, and software engineering. Our success is driven by self-motivated, collaborative, and curious engineers who prioritize the team's goals.
The Role
We are seeking a senior software engineer with deep expertise in test development, automation, CI/CD pipelines, and build and release processes to join our team. Your primary responsibilities will include designing and implementing complex automated tests and strategies that ensure the highest quality streaming experiences on both TV and Web devices. You will lead efforts to optimize and automate our build, integration, and release workflows, ensuring rapid and reliable delivery of new features and fixes. You will drive technical direction for test automation, mentor other engineers, and partner with cross-functional teams to solve challenging problems at scale.
What sets you apart?
  • You take technical ownership of test development and automation, designing robust solutions that address complex and evolving challenges..
  • You have hands-on experience improving and maintaining CI/CD pipelines, build systems, and release automation, ensuring high velocity and quality in software delivery.
  • You proactively identify opportunities to improve streaming quality and reliability, using data and experimentation to drive continuous improvement.
  • You communicate clearly and collaborate effectively across teams and disciplines to align on technical direction and deliver high-impact results.
  • Demonstrated experience utilizing GenAI to accelerate test automation and/or streamline CI/CD/release processes.

What skills are essential to us?
  • Extensive experience in software engineering with focus on test development
  • Exceptional proficiency in JavaScript and/or Typescript.
  • Strong experience with CI/CD tools (such as Jenkins, Spinnaker, or GitHub Actions), and a proven ability to automate and optimize build, integration, and release processes.
  • Proven ability to drive quality through experimentation, including designing, running, and analyzing A/B tests to inform product and platform improvements.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach to identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
  • Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, enabling you to work seamlessly across cross-functional teams and influence technical direction.
  • Experience mentoring and leveling up peers through code reviews, technical guidance, and knowledge sharing.
  • Nice to have: Experience in streaming media playback, architecture, and industry protocols relevant to video streaming.

Generally, our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options. To determine your personal top of market compensation, we rely on market indicators and consider your specific job family, background, skills, and experience to determine your compensation in the market range. The range for this role is $388,000.00 - $558,000.00.
Netflix provides comprehensive benefits including Health Plans, Mental Health support, a 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, Family-forming benefits, and Life and Serious Injury Benefits. We also offer paid leave of absence programs. Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off. Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off. See more details about our Benefits here.
Netflix is a unique culture and environment. Learn more here.
Inclusion is a Netflix value and we strive to host a meaningful interview experience for all candidates. If you want an accommodation/adjustment for a disability or any other reason during the hiring process, please send a request to your recruiting partner.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and celebrate diversity, recognizing that diversity builds stronger teams. We approach diversity and inclusion seriously and thoughtfully. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service.

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About Netflix

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

Industry

Arts, entertainment, and recreation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Gatos, CA, US

Year founded

1997