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Video Playback Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX (NOW HIRING)

Kake Group

Senior iOS Video Player Engineer

Austin, TX · Remote

$143K/yr

Tune playback performance at scale to ensure reliable, high-quality viewing experiences. Use video ... Key Responsibilities: - Collaborate with Engineering, Product, and Backend Technology Services ...

Kake Group

Senior Roku Engineer

Austin, TX · Remote

$107K - $146K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Roku Engineer to join a fast-paced team building high-quality OTT and ... Knowledge of analytics, video playback, or ad integrations within Roku ecosystems. Additional * US ...

Comcast

Android Engineer - Connected Living

Austin, TX · On-site

This is an ideal opportunity for engineers who enjoy building user-facing features, working with ... Experience with video playback or streaming (e.g., ExoPlayer, HLS, WebRTC, RTSP) * Familiarity with ...

Roku

Lead Systems Software Architect

Austin, TX

Multimedia & system-level engineering * Implement and optimize video/audio pipelines, codecs, and rendering paths to deliver high-quality playback, low latency, and smooth UI/UX for streaming ...

Roku

Lead Systems Software Architect

Austin, TX · On-site

Multimedia & system-level engineering * Implement and optimize video/audio pipelines, codecs, and rendering paths to deliver high-quality playback, low latency, and smooth UI/UX for streaming ...

Roku

Lead Systems Software Architect

Austin, TX · On-site

Multimedia & system-level engineering * Implement and optimize video/audio pipelines, codecs, and rendering paths to deliver high-quality playback, low latency, and smooth UI/UX for streaming ...

All JobsVideo Playback Engineer JobsVideo Playback Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX

Video Playback Engineer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$30.2K

$87.5K

$138.3K

How much do video playback engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for video playback engineer in Austin, TX is $87,527.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,400.00 and $107,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a video playback engineer?

A Video Playback Engineer is a technology professional who specializes in the development, optimization, and maintenance of video streaming and playback systems. They work on ensuring seamless delivery of video content across various platforms and devices, addressing issues like buffering, latency, and compatibility. Their responsibilities often include working with video codecs, streaming protocols, content delivery networks (CDNs), and player technologies to provide high-quality viewing experiences. Video Playback Engineers may also collaborate with software developers, QA teams, and content providers to troubleshoot and enhance video performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a video playback engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Video Playback Engineer, you need expertise in video codecs, streaming protocols, and a solid background in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as FFmpeg, HLS/DASH streaming, and media playback libraries, as well as experience with video delivery platforms, is common. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication are critical soft skills for collaborating across engineering and product teams. These skills ensure the reliable, high-quality video experiences users expect and enable efficient troubleshooting and innovation in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

What are some common challenges faced by video playback engineers, and how can applicants prepare to address them?

Video Playback Engineers often encounter challenges related to ensuring smooth streaming across a wide range of devices and network conditions. Applicants should be prepared to troubleshoot compatibility issues, optimize video quality and latency, and implement adaptive bitrate streaming techniques. Staying current with evolving video codecs and industry standards is also crucial. Collaboration with front-end developers, QA teams, and content delivery network providers is common, so strong communication and problem-solving skills are important for success in this role.

What is the difference between Video Playback Engineer vs Video Software Engineer?

AspectVideo Playback EngineerVideo Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related; experience with multimedia frameworksBachelor's or higher in Computer Science or Software Engineering; programming skills in C++, Python
Work EnvironmentMedia companies, streaming platforms, multimedia device manufacturersSoftware development firms, tech companies, multimedia application developers
Employer & Industry UsageFocus on optimizing video playback, decoding, and renderingDeveloping multimedia software, codecs, and applications

While both roles involve multimedia and video technologies, Video Playback Engineers specialize in ensuring smooth video playback and decoding, often working closely with hardware and media frameworks. Video Software Engineers develop broader multimedia applications and codecs, focusing on software development across various platforms. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the multimedia industry.

What are popular job titles related to Video Playback Engineer jobs in Austin, TX?

For Video Playback Engineer jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Video Playback Engineer jobs in Austin, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Video Playback Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What cities near Austin, TX are hiring for Video Playback Engineer jobs?

Cities near Austin, TX with the most Video Playback Engineer job openings:

Video Playback Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Video Playback Engineer job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $87,527 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Senior iOS Video Player Engineer

Kake Group

Austin, TX • Remote

$143K/yr

Contractor

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

About the Role
We’re looking for a Senior iOS Video Player Engineer with deep, production-level experience in live video streaming to work on high-quality playback experiences across iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. The focus is squarely on media and streaming, with hands-on ownership of live HLS playback, AVPlayer behavior, performance tuning, and playback reliability at scale. You’ll be working on challenges like fast startup times, buffering behavior, live edge management, latency, and real-world playback stability. This role is designed for someone who can join and contribute quickly in a mature streaming ecosystem.
 
Key Responsibilities
Design, build, and maintain live video playback functionality for iOS and tvOS applications (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV).
Optimize HLS playback using AVPlayer, with a strong focus on startup time, buffering behavior, latency, and playback stability.
Troubleshoot and resolve complex playback issues in live streaming environments, including errors, stalls, and drift from the live edge.
Tune playback performance at scale to ensure reliable, high-quality viewing experiences.
Use video analytics and QoE metrics to diagnose issues and improve real-world playback performance.
 
Core Requirements
7+ years of iOS development experience with deep expertise in Swift and Objective-C.
Proven experience building and maintaining video players or live playback components for iOS/tvOS.
Strong hands-on experience with HLS and AVPlayer, including tuning and troubleshooting playback behavior, especially for live streaming.
Demonstrated ability to debug and optimize playback performance, including rebuffering, startup time, and playback stability.
Familiarity with video streaming protocols, live playback concepts (latency, live edge, drift), ABR logic, and DRM integration.
Experience using video analytics or QoE metrics (e.g., Mux, Conviva) to diagnose and improve real-world playback performance
Nice to Have
Background working in sports large-scale streaming environments.
Experience with ad tech, especially in live streaming scenarios.
45-55
 
Core Requirements:
 
- Work closely with Engineering/Product/Project Management and Backend Technology Services teams to build video player features that contribute to FOX video streaming initiatives.
- Contribute to the design, architecture and implementation of player features on iOS devices (Apple TV, iPad, iOS Mobile devices)
- Spearhead efforts in performance, scalability, security, architecture and engineering best practices
- Track and prioritize numerous tasks for various team members
- Provide technical specifications and documentation
- Collaborate with team members to deliver software using agile methodologies
- Willingness to stay up-to-date with the latest in emerging technologies/trends on mobile platforms
- Required Skills
- BS/MS degree in Computer Science or equivalent
- Excellent programming skills in Swift, Objective-C development experience
- Experience with tools from Xcode
- Experience building components to support video playback, user interfaces, video metadata, and third-party integrations
- Experience leading a mobile application team at a tech company
- Demonstrable knowledge of building responsive user experiences across phones and tablets
- Experience with RESTful APIs, unit testing and end-end testing
- Git, SVN, Jenkins, Docker, Agile methodologies
- Excellent documentation skills, UML diagrams a plus.
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with an ability to work in a highly collaborative environment
 
Nice to Have:
 
- Experience with video streaming technologies (HLS)
- Experience with video QoE metrics, ABR algorithms, video player frameworks
- Experience with analytics platforms (Conviva, Mux)
 
Core Requirements:
 
- Expertise in Swift & Objective-C: Strong programming skills with experience in iOS development and Apple’s Xcode toolset.
- Video Player Development: Experience building and optimizing components for video playback, user interfaces, metadata handling, and third-party integrations.
- Mobile Application Leadership: Proven ability to lead a mobile application team in a tech-driven environment.
- Responsive User Experience (UX) Design: Demonstrable knowledge of building responsive and adaptive UI/UX across iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV.
- API & Testing Expertise: Experience working with RESTful APIs, unit testing, and end-to-end testing methodologies.
- DevOps & Agile Workflow: Proficiency in Git, SVN, Jenkins, Docker, and working within Agile methodologies.
- Technical Documentation & Communication: Strong documentation skills, with experience in UML diagrams being a plus.
 
Key Responsibilities:
 
- Collaborate with Engineering, Product, and Backend Technology Services teams to design, architect, and implement advanced video player features for iOS devices.
- Develop and optimize video streaming capabilities for Apple TV, iPads, and iOS mobile devices.
- Spearhead efforts in performance, scalability, security, and engineering best practices.
- Track and prioritize multiple tasks across the engineering team.
- Provide technical specifications and documentation to ensure maintainability and scalability.
- Implement Agile methodologies to develop and deploy high-quality software efficiently.
- Stay updated with emerging technologies and trends in mobile platforms and video streaming.
 
Nice to Have:
 
- Experience with video streaming technologies like HLS (HTTP Live Streaming).
- Knowledge of video QoE (Quality of Experience) metrics, ABR (Adaptive Bitrate) algorithms, and video player frameworks.
- Familiarity with analytics platforms such as Conviva or Mux to monitor and optimize video playback performance.
 
Other Traits:
 
- Problem-Solving & Innovation: Ability to troubleshoot complex video playback issues and develop scalable solutions.
- Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to stakeholders.
- Ownership & Leadership: Comfortable leading mobile teams, driving projects, and ensuring best practices in iOS video player engineering.
 
 
 
- Contract Duration: Open-ended long term
 
 
 

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.