Video Player Architect

About the role

Be at the forefront of innovation in video streaming at a global scale. The Global Video Engineering team is looking for a technically strong Architect to design next-generation playback systems that serve millions of users worldwide. In this role, you architect and guide solutions with a focus on achieving world-class playback quality of experience, with expertise in video player workflows. This position will focus on video player solutions, including defining player framework API boundaries, optimizing device/network utilization, creating seamless ad experiences, and utilizing best software design practices with 3rd party integrations.

The ideal candidate will be a strong communicator and collaborator who thrives in cross-functional environments and values diverse perspectives. We believe that inclusive teams create better solutions and welcome candidates who are passionate about building technology that reflects and serves a global, diverse audience. We are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

Responsibilities

Architecture & Design

• Design and document scalable, resilient, and high-performance video player workflows across Linear Channels, Live Events, and VOD Playback.
• Create and maintain detailed workstream level designs, sequence diagrams, and interface contracts for cross-team alignment.
• Incorporate non-functional requirements (performance, availability, security, and observability) into designs from the start.
• Partner with engineers to validate designs through prototypes, integration testing approaches, and rollout plans.

Collaboration

• Collaborate with engineering teams to translate design intent into implementable plans and acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate dependencies for your designs and surface risks/assumptions early.
• Participate in architecture reviews and incorporate feedback to improve quality and consistency.
• Evangelize best practices and interests of the video player in architecture and feature discussions.

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to shared documentation and operating procedures; improve how the organization captures decisions and system workflows.
• Stay current on streaming protocols, video delivery best practices, and emerging streaming technologies to apply them to your area.

Requirements

• 2+ years of experience in video player architecture or 4+ years in video player development.
• Hands-on experience implementing a major media playback framework, such as Media Source Extensions (web app), MediaCodec (Android), AVFoundation (iOS/tvOS), or Video node (Roku SceneGraph).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and business audiences.
• Understands the needs of business, product, and technology. Demonstrates the ability to apply this knowledge to architecture design.

Preferred Qualifications

• Contributions to open-source video projects or participation in industry standards bodies.
• Proficiency in video formats and streaming protocols (e.g., HLS, MPEG-DASH, CMAF, H.264/H.265, AV1).
• Enhanced video technologies (UHD, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos).
• OTT Video delivery to diverse clients (mobile, tablet, web, Connected TV, Game Consoles, STB) over varied access networks.
• Experience with DRM, watermarking, and token-based access control.

Schedule

This position currently has a hybrid schedule, which requires contributing from the office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• A variety of other discounts and perks

Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

Pay

Salary range: $140,000 - $165,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible).