Senior Application Engineer – Photoshop

Adobe; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 208,000 - 302,000; Full time

Job summary

Adobe seeks a senior Photoshop engineer to lead AI/GenAI enhancements in Photoshop, bridging research prototypes and production-quality solutions. You will work across teams—researchers, ML engineers, UI designers, product managers, and customers—to deliver end-to-end AI experiences and robust performance in a large-scale imaging platform.

The role demands deep C/C++ expertise, strong communication, and a passion for creating high-quality applications used by professionals worldwide.

Qualifications

• BS or MS or equivalent experience in Computer Science or related field.
• 7+ years of software development experience with a track record in large-scale production software.
• Proficient in modern C/C++ with working knowledge of Python and JavaScript; AI/ML expertise is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Gain in-depth knowledge of the Photoshop codebase to develop and integrate innovative technologies into Photoshop.
• Deliver end-to-end AI/GenAI experiences as a Photoshop C++ developer; collaborate with researchers, ML engineers, UI designers, PMs, QA, and customers.
• Prototype mature research ideas with AI models and iterate towards production readiness.
• Communicate complex technical ideas with partners to gain agreement on technical initiatives.
• Provide long-term vision for product direction and evolution of cross-platform applications.
• Maintain and improve existing features in a large, complex codebase.
• Participate in code and design reviews to ensure quality and security.
• Write robust, scalable, performant, and secure code.
• Serve as a customer advocate and quality champion.

Skills

C/C++ expertise

GenAI/AI/ML

Large-scale software

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Graphics/Imaging

Education

BS or MS in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Python

JavaScript

Job description

The Opportunity

The Photoshop Applied Research and Technology team is looking for a senior Photoshop engineer with a passion for technology and building compelling GenAI and AI/ML experiences that delight customers and boost productivity. This individual will be at the forefront of brand-new imaging technology, applying expertise in algorithms and large-scale software architecture. They will build research prototypes into production-quality solutions to develop Photoshop Magic.

The Opportunity

The Photoshop Applied Research and Technology team is looking for a senior Photoshop engineer with a passion for technology and building compelling GenAI and AI/ML experiences that delight customers and boost productivity. This individual will be at the forefront of brand-new imaging technology, applying expertise in algorithms and large-scale software architecture. They will build research prototypes into production-quality solutions to develop Photoshop Magic.

Responsibility

• Gain in-depth knowledge of the Photoshop codebase, including Photoshop Document model and overall architecture, to develop and integrate innovative technologies into the flagship Photoshop product.
• Deliver polished end-to-end AI/GenAI experiences as a Photoshop C++ developer. Collaborate with researchers, ML engineers, application developers, UI designers, product managers, quality engineers and customers to create cross-platform backend solutions and front-end Desktop user experiences.
• Prototype mature research ideas with AI models in Photoshop. Iterate and improve upon these ideas, with the goal of productization.
• Effectively communicate complex technical ideas with partners and get agreement for technical initiatives.
• Provide long-term vision for the product technical direction and evolution of large-scale cross-platform applications.
• Maintain, evolve and improve existing features in a large, complex codebase.
• Participate in formal and informal code and design reviews.
• Code Excellence:Write robust, scalable, performant, and secure code.
• Serve as a customer advocate and quality champion
• Take initiative, tackle new challenges and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to get the job done

Qualifications

• BS or MS or equivalent experience in Computer Science or related field
• 7+ years of software development experience with a proven track record of designing, implementing and delivering large-scale high quality production software
• Proficient in modern C/C++ with extensive large-scale application development experience required. Working knowledge of Python and Javascript preferred.
• Solid foundation in computer science fundamentals, MVC architecture, design patterns, memory systems, CPU/GPU optimizations, and software engineering standard processes
• Proven experience bringing AI coding assistants and agentic workflows into production code delivery processes. This accelerates multi-file changes, including refactors, fixes, and modernization. It improves code review quality and automates repetitive engineering tasks. All actions uphold high standards for correctness, performance, security, and test coverage. Deep understanding of digital imaging and computer vision algorithms, as well as Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence applications.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Passion for creating high quality applications that professionals love

About Adobe

Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity. Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours.

Let’s Adobe together

At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.

AI Use Guidelines for Interviews:

Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process. At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.

Expected Pay Range:

Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The U.S. pay range for this positionis $159,200 -- $301,600 annually. Paywithin this range varies by work locationand may also depend on job-related knowledge, skills,and experience. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the job location during the hiring process. In California, the pay range for this position is $208,300 - $301,600 At Adobe, for sales roles starting salaries are expressed as total target compensation (TTC = base + commission), and short-term incentives are in the form of sales commission plans. Non-sales roles starting salaries are expressed as base salary and short-term incentives are in the form of the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP). In addition, certain roles may be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of a new hire equity award.

State-Specific Notices:

California:

Fair Chance Ordinances

Adobe will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records for employment in accordance with state and local laws and “fair chance” ordinances.

Colorado:

If this role is open to hiring in Colorado (as listed on the job posting), the application window will remain open until at least the date and time stated above in Pacific Time, in compliance with Colorado pay transparency regulations. If this role does not have Colorado listed as a hiring location, no specific application window applies, and the posting may close at any time based on hiring needs.

Massachusetts:

Massachusetts Legal Notice

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.