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Video Codec Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... of video codec and streaming technologies. • Experience with computer vision and intelligent video analytics, including object detection, tracking, re‑identification, camera geometry and ...

Software Engineer - Systems

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$203K - $241K/yr

Hands-on experience with modern video codec implementations (H.264, H.265, AV1) across hardware platforms - encoder tuning, rate control, and platform-specific acceleration (V4L2, NVENC, etc.

Software Engineer II

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$163K - $245K/yr

Design and develop video codec components for PlayStation SDKs and cloud gaming platforms. * Own end-to-end delivery of features, including design, implementation, and validation. * Perform system ...

... of video codec and streaming technologies. • Experience with computer vision and intelligent video analytics, including object detection, tracking, re-identification, camera geometry and ...

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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 Software Engineer - Streaming Video

Senior Software Engineer - Streaming Video

Aquabyte

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Our mission
Aquabyte is on a mission to revolutionize the sustainability and efficiency of aquaculture. It is an audacious, and incredibly rewarding mission. By making fish farming more efficient and viable, we aim to promote healthy (for the fish and environment) production of low carbon protein and mitigate one of the biggest causes of climate change. Aquaculture is the single fastest growing food-production sector in the world, and now is the time to define how technology is used to harvest the sea and preserve it for generations to come.
We are a diverse, mission-driven team that is eager to work alongside kindred spirits. If this vision inspires you please get in touch.
Our product
We are currently focused on helping salmon farmers better understand their fish population and make environmentally sound decisions. Through custom underwater cameras, computer vision, and machine learning we are able to quantify fish weights, detect the health status, and generate optimal feeding plans in real time. Our product operates at three levels: on-site hardware for image capture, cloud pipelines for data processing, and a user-facing web application. As a result, there are hundreds of moving pieces and no shortage of fascinating challenges across all levels of the stack.
Above all, Aquabyte is a customer-driven company. Our product development is dictated by the needs of fish farmers and we prioritize customer delight in everything we do. We are committed to building a global, collaborative team.
The role
We are looking for a Senior Backend Engineer to build and operate the systems that enable real-time video streaming, AI analysis, and secure remote control of industrial machinery. You will work on cloud and edge-connected systems that interact with physical devices, where reliability, security, and low-latency communication are critical.
Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years of backend development experience in Python or Go
  • 5+ years experience with cloud infrastructure, containerization, and deployment (AWS, Docker)
  • Knowledge of video codec, streaming protocol, WebRTC, gstreamer, FCR, FFmpeg
  • Strong software engineering skills; knowledge of best practices, testing, and deployment

Bonus Qualifications
  • Experience designing and operating distributed systems
  • Strong data analytics & modeling & ML skills
  • Experience in managing IoT devices

Benefits
  • Competitive salary and equity
  • Unlimited vacation policy
  • Flexible working hours + hybrid work policy
  • Medical, vision, & dental insurance
  • Retirement matching plan
  • Potential travel to Norway
  • Evolve in a fast-paced environment
  • Be able to shape a business in its early days
  • Get ideas, feedback, and suggestions from other best-in-their-field colleagues
  • Mentorship opportunities, we'll be dedicated to investing in you and supporting you as you grow

$140,000 - $170,000 a year
Aquabyte takes a market-based approach to compensation. The pay varies on a variety of factors including: job-related qualification, years of experience and competence level, interview performance, and work location.
At Aquabyte, we admire interesting people with a unique background. We strongly encourage you to apply even if you don't satisfy all the requirements, and we will get back to you as soon as possible!
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.