Senior R&D Engineer

ZipRecruiter; London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading broadcasting organization is seeking a Senior R&D Engineer to conduct innovative video coding research and lead standardisation efforts. The ideal candidate has substantial experience in video compression and coding standards development, as well as strong software skills in languages like C, C++, and Java. This role offers the chance to shape the future of media technologies within a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Background in video coding and standards development.
• Strong skills in using software for evaluation and benchmarking.
• Experience in video compression standards development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct innovative video coding research.
• Lead standardisation and IPR management activities.
• Design and implement novel video processing methods.

Skills

Creative thinking

Video compression

Collaboration

Software development

Algorithm validation

Industry knowledge

Education

Background in video coding and video standards

Tools

C

C++

Java

Job description

Job Description

This job is with BBC, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the + business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

JOB DETAILS

JOB BAND: D
CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent.
DEPARTMENT: BBC R&D
LOCATION: London: The Lighthouse - Hybrid, Manchester: Salford Dock House - Hybrid
PROPOSED SALARY RANGE: Up to £65,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights. + London Weighting £5,441

We're happy to discuss flexible working. If you'd like to, please indicate your preference in the application - though there's no obligation to do so now. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

You'll have responsibility for researching and evaluating new video codecs, shaping picture quality analysis and the technical design, assurance and optimisation of the BBC's technical output on IP distribution and broadcast platforms.
You'll be working as a Senior R&D Engineer in an area that shapes and defines connected TV platforms and seeks opportunities to exploit them with innovative new services.

WHY JOIN THE TEAM

As Senior R&D Engineer you will be responsible for leading and conducting R&D activities and transferring results in order to identify and solve complex technical problems and carry out ground breaking research in relevant areas, delivering solutions for the BBC, informing the BBC's decisions, help create products, services, and/or contribute to global standards. Collaboration with third parties (such as manufacturers and universities) is required in order to achieve these goals. Projects in the area generally produce an audience benefit within 12 months and/or provide long term research.
This role is strategic in terms of evaluating and advising on the opportunities and risks associated with the BBC's video coding solutions in the coming years.

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:
1. Conduct innovative and impactful video coding research to shape and deliver BBC's media coding and distribution strategy.
2. Lead standardisation and IPR management activities, ensuring BBC's position as a global leader in video coding technology.
3. Design, evaluate and implement novel video processing, coding and distribution methods for BBC's future content formats and services.
4. Steer integration of new video formats, codecs and workflows across all BBC platforms, working with a wide range of stakeholders to deliver best value for our audiences.
5. Oversee and evolve our on-prem and cloud infrastructure for codec testing, integration and evaluation.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

You'll have a background in video coding and video standards development ideally in a research and development or academic background. You should have a track record of creating and/or maintaining IPR in the field of video codec development. You'll have strong skills in using software development as a tool for evaluation/experimentation/learning purposes, algorithm validation and benchmarking, although producing production-ready code is not required.
We want a Senior R&D engineer that can identify and resolve important problems and answer research questions using creativity and inventiveness and is also ready to get hands-on with our broadcast and IP distribution infrastructure.
Some industry knowledge and familiarity with encoding methods and products in use in the broadcast or media streaming industry would be beneficial.
You're enthusiastic, curious and full of ideas. You keep up to speed with industry trends and technology developments and can collaborate across the sector.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
• Track record of creative thinking, analysis and good judgement to propose innovative solutions to technical problems and to invent and manage new IPR.
• Substantial experience of video compression and related standards development.
• Demonstrable evidence of collaborative working across multi-disciplinary teams and being able to transfer results of research in the form of technical reports, inputs to standards bodies, software prototypes or licensing to manufacturers.
• Strong skills in using software development as a tool for evaluation/experimentation/learning purposes, algorithm validation and benchmarking (e.g. C, C++, Java).
• Ability to carry out formal picture quality evaluation using objective methodologies and awareness of subjective methods.

DESIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED:
• Working knowledge of video codecs and systems such as AVC, HEVC, VVC, and awareness of futures developments in MPEG, e.g. use of neural networks.
• Understanding of TV industry standards (broadcast and IP) for the distribution of content from MPEG, DVB, W3C, etc., and associated systems engineering of such technologies.
• Strong understanding of issues around video engineering or a willingness to learn its use in all aspects of media workflows.
• Experience of leading project work in a research environment, being able to motivate self and others to learn new knowledge and skills and produce original work.
If you can bring some of these skills and experience, along with transferable strengths, we'd love to hear from you and encourage you to apply.

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