1

Video Codec Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking experienced system engineers for our cutting-edge efforts in areas related to image processing, video codec architecture/design and computer vision. Successful candidates will be part ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Video Codec information

See California salary details

$24.7K

$73.6K

$158.4K

How much do video codec jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for video codec in California is $73,649.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,400.00 and $93,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are video codecs?

Video codecs are software or hardware tools that compress and decompress digital video files. They reduce the size of video files for storage or transmission by removing redundant data, making it easier and faster to stream or download videos. Common video codecs include H.264, H.265 (HEVC), VP9, and AV1. The choice of codec can affect video quality, compatibility, and file size.

What is the difference between Video Codec vs Video Editor?

AspectVideo CodecVideo Editor
Required CredentialsKnowledge of codecs, technical certifications (e.g., CCNA, Adobe certifications)Video editing software proficiency, creative skills, possibly certifications in editing (e.g., Adobe Certified Expert)
Work EnvironmentTechnical, often in post-production or streaming settingsCreative, in editing suites or on-location
Industry UsageUsed by video streaming, broadcasting, and production companiesUsed by film, TV, advertising, and online content creators

Video Codec and Video Editor roles overlap in the video production industry but focus on different aspects. Video codecs are technical tools used to compress and decompress video data, essential for efficient storage and transmission. Video editors, on the other hand, focus on assembling and enhancing video footage to create the final product. Understanding codecs is crucial for editors to optimize video quality and compatibility, but their primary responsibilities differ significantly.

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

To thrive as a Video Codec Engineer, you need strong programming skills (especially in C/C++), a deep understanding of video compression algorithms, and a relevant degree in computer science or electrical engineering. Familiarity with industry standards like H.264, H.265 (HEVC), or AV1, as well as experience with multimedia frameworks and debugging tools, is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills that enable success in this technical and collaborative environment. These competencies are essential for developing efficient, high-quality video solutions that meet modern streaming and broadcasting demands.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in video codec development and optimization?

Professionals in video codec development often encounter challenges such as balancing compression efficiency with computational complexity, ensuring compatibility across diverse hardware and software environments, and keeping up with rapidly evolving standards. Additionally, debugging and optimizing codecs for real-time applications, like streaming or conferencing, requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams including hardware engineers and software developers. Staying updated on the latest advancements and performance benchmarks is crucial for success in this fast-paced field.
What are popular job titles related to Video Codec jobs in California? For Video Codec jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Video Codec jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Video Codec jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Video Codec jobs? Cities in California with the most Video Codec job openings:
Senior SoC Digital Design Engineer, Multimedia Lab

Senior SoC Digital Design Engineer, Multimedia Lab

TikTok

San Jose, CA • On-site

$212K - $450K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 4 days ago


TikTok rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

124th of 202 rated software companies


Job description

Responsibilities
About the team: Our team is building industry-leading, highly efficient, and scalable video codec hardware solutions (FPGA and ASIC) from the ground up to better serve billions of users. We are looking for strong video codec design engineers to design hardware accelerators for advanced video encoding and processing. The successful candidate will be part of a fast-growing team that includes algorithm, architecture, software, firmware, and hardware design and verification experts with a dedication to technical excellence and a passion to build large-scale and high-performing video platforms and services. Responsibilities - Architecture Design: Participate in defining the architecture of SoC top or subsystems (NoC/CPU/NPU/ISP/Codec), and conduct PPA (Power, Performance, Area) evaluation during the early design phase. - RTL Implementation: Write high-quality, well-structured RTL code (Verilog/SystemVerilog) and maintain related design documentation. - Front-End Quality Control: Perform Lint, CDC (Clock Domain Crossing), and RDC (Reset Domain Crossing) checks to ensure code standard compliance and design robustness. - Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the Verification team for debugging and achieving Coverage closure; collaborate with the Backend/Mid-end teams to support Synthesis, SDC (Synopsys Design Constraints) generation, STA (Static Timing Analysis), and power optimization. - Low Power Design: Participate in the formulation of chip low-power strategies, proficiently apply Clock Gating and Power Gating techniques, and support the UPF (Unified Power Format) flow.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree or higher in Microelectronics, Integrated Circuits, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. - 3+ years of experience in digital front-end design (open to highly promising candidates with less experience). - Mastery of Verilog/SystemVerilog and a solid foundation in digital circuits. - Proficiency with mainstream front-end EDA tools (e.g., Spyglass, Design Compiler, PrimeTime). - Fluent in at least one scripting language (Python, Perl, Tcl, Makefile) for workflow automation. Preferred Qualifications: - Deep understanding of NPU architecture, HW/SW co-design and AI hardware acceleration. - Proven experience in SoC-level performance profiling and bottleneck analysis. - Hands-on experience in the integration of complex SoC core subsystems (e.g., CPU/NPU clusters, Memory subsystems). - Successful tape-out experience in advanced process nodes (7nm/5nm/3nm)
Job Information
[For Pay Transparency]Compensation Description (Annually)
The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $212800 - $450000 annually.
Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.
Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).
The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.
For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:
1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and
3. Exercising sound judgment.
About TikTok
TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and we also have offices in New York City, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo.
Why Join Us
Inspiring creativity is at the core of TikTok's mission. Our innovative product is built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect - and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and bring joy - a mission we work towards every day.
We strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn and innovate as one team. We're resilient and embrace challenges as they come. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.
Diversity & Inclusion
TikTok is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At TikTok, our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.
TikTok Accommodation
TikTok is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at

What TikTok employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom