Senior Staff Software Engineer, Video Playback, YouTube

Google Inc.; San Bruno (CA); On-site; USD 262,000 - 364,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Bonus target

Job summary

Google's YouTube Playback Experience team is seeking a Senior Staff Software Engineer for Mobile Video Playback. You will lead the team responsible for the full player stack, from high‑level APIs to hardware features, ensuring fast, reliable video experiences across devices.

We value ownership, cross‑functional leadership, and the ability to design, build and operate scalable media systems. You’ll mentor engineers and help push innovations in codecs, AI enhancements, and large‑scale playback.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in software engineering.
• 3 years of mobile engineering or mobile media experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience.

Job description

Senior Staff Software Engineer, Video Playback, YouTube

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Experience owning outcomes and decision making, solving ambiguous problems and influencing stakeholders;deep expertise in domain.

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• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical experience.
• 10 years of experience in software engineering.
• 3 years of experience in mobile engineering (e.g., iOS or Android) or mobile media experience (e.g., codecs or graphics).

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience as a tech lead, a formal mentor, or a go‑to expert for a team.
• Experience working with video, music, or other media‑related products.
• Experience in designing, building, and operating systems at large‑scale.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate technical concepts to audiences.

About the job

Google's software engineers develop the next‑generation technologies that change how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large‑scale system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as you and our fast‑paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new problems across the full‑stack as we continue to push technology forward.
With your technical expertise you will manage project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables. You will design, develop, test, deploy, maintain, and enhance software solutions.

The YouTube Playback Experience team is responsible for video playback on all screens and critical to enable this core user journey.

In the role of Senior Staff Software Engineer for Mobile Video Playback, you will guide the team in advancing the entire player stack, from high‑level APIs to leveraging hardware features. Your leadership will ensure performant and engaging experiences for both established formats like VOD, live, and DRM and emerging areas such as generative AI, multi‑modal feeds, and vertical video. Additionally, you will drive client media innovation by utilizing on‑device hardware like NPUs, GPUs, and codecs to introduce next‑generation media formats and capabilities.
At YouTube, we believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share, and build community through our stories. We work together to give everyone the power to share their story, explore what they love, and connect with one another in the process. Working at the intersection of cutting‑edge technology and boundless creativity, we move at the speed of culture with a shared goal to show people the world. We explore new ideas, solve real problems, and have fun — and we do it all together.Individual pay is determined by factors including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

About the job

Google's software engineers develop the next‑generation technologies that change how billions of users connect, explore, and interact with information and one another. Our products need to handle information at massive scale, and extend well beyond web search. We're looking for engineers who bring fresh ideas from all areas, including information retrieval, distributed computing, large‑scale system design, networking and data storage, security, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, UI design and mobile; the list goes on and is growing every day. As a software engineer, you will work on a specific project critical to Google’s needs with opportunities to switch teams and projects as you and our fast‑paced business grow and evolve. We need our engineers to be versatile, display leadership qualities and be enthusiastic to take on new problems across the full‑stack as we continue to push technology forward.

With your technical expertise you will manage project priorities, deadlines, and deliverables. You will design, develop, test, deploy, maintain, and enhance software solutions.

The YouTube Playback Experience team is responsible for video playback on all screens and critical to enable this core user journey.

In the role of Senior Staff Software Engineer for Mobile Video Playback, you will guide the team in advancing the entire player stack, from high‑level APIs to leveraging hardware features. Your leadership will ensure performant and engaging experiences for both established formats like VOD, live, and DRM and emerging areas such as generative AI, multi‑modal feeds, and vertical video. Additionally, you will drive client media innovation by utilizing on‑device hardware like NPUs, GPUs, and codecs to introduce next‑generation media formats and capabilities.

At YouTube, we believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share, and build community through our stories. We work together to give everyone the power to share their story, explore what they love, and connect with one another in the process. Working at the intersection of cutting‑edge technology and boundless creativity, we move at the speed of culture with a shared goal to show people the world. We explore new ideas, solve real problems, and have fun — and we do it all together. Individual pay is determined by factors including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $262000 - $364000 (USD) + 25% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google .

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents‑to‑be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .

Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.

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Equity is granted exclusively and discretionarily by Alphabet Inc. on the basis of an agreement concluded between you and Alphabet Inc. Alphabet Inc. is your sole contractual partner with respect to equity grants. GSU grants are not guaranteed, are discretionary, are subject to approval by the Alphabet Inc. board of directors or its delegate, the terms of the relevant Alphabet Inc. stock plan, and your grant agreement. They have no impact on statutory payments. Current or past grants do not confer an acquired right.