Senior System Software Engineer

PlayStation; San Mateo (CA); On-site; USD 187,000 - 282,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented Senior System Software Engineer to join their innovative team. This role involves developing and optimizing system software solutions for a variety of platforms, including embedded systems and gaming consoles. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operating systems and experience with performance optimization techniques. Join a collaborative environment where your contributions will directly impact the gaming experience for millions of users worldwide. If you are passionate about technology and gaming, this is the perfect opportunity for you to make a difference!

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Matching

Paid Time Off

Wellness Program

Employee Discounts

Qualifications

• 3+ years in system software development with OS experience.
• Strong programming skills in C/C++, Java/Kotlin, and Python.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement system features like drivers and validation harnesses.
• Optimize system software performance for various hardware platforms.

Skills

C/C++

Java/Kotlin

Python

Operating Systems

Performance Optimization

Low Level Debugging

IPC Synchronization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering

Tools

Linux

Windows

macOS

Android

Debugging Tools

Profiling Tools

Job description

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation5, PlayStation4, PlayStationVR, PlayStationPlus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

Senior System Software Engineer

Position Overview:

We are seeking a skilled and innovative Software Engineer with a love for embedded platforms and systems engineering to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in operating systems, Linux / BSD, Windows User Mode / Kernel Mode development, with experience in developing system software solutions for various platforms. The ideal candidate will have worked on Android, iOS devices and PlayStation consoles and other handheld products in the past.

You will work closely with software, hardware, firmware engineers, and designers to build well tested and performance-optimized solutions for games and other applications.

Key Responsibilities:

• System Software Development: Design, implement, and optimize system features such as drivers, automated hardware validation harnesses, debugging and logging for HW/FW/SW stack triage.
• Firmware: Develop and optimize solutions at the FW/SW interface using platform APIs.
• Write and optimize harnesses for various hardware products, collaborating with different platforms.
• Optimization: Optimize system software performance for different hardware and platforms, ensuring low energy usage, memory overhead and latency.
• Low latency Optimization: Optimize data flows with external hardware to ensure low latency.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with designers, software engineers, and QA to implement platform features.
• Debugging & Troubleshooting: Identify and resolve system issues, bugs, and performance bottlenecks through debugging and profiling tools.
• Build Tooling for Optimization and Debugging: Develop tools for internal and external use with prototypes and developing products.
• Build SDKs for 2nd and 3rd parties: Develop SDKs for other developers to use to access the software / hardware features developed.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in system software development, including hands-on work with Windows, macOS, Linux / BSD and Android systems.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in programming languages: C/C++, Java/Kotlin, Python.
• Experience with device filesystems and IPC synchronization.
• Solid understanding of performance optimization techniques on resource constrained systems.
• Solid understanding of OS concepts and kernel level restrictions.
• Familiarity with low level debugging, tracing and profiling tools.
• Experience crafting tools and pipelines for internal and external clients.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with console development: Familiarity with PS4 or PS5 or equivalent experience.
• Experience with handheld development: Familiarity with Android, iOS, Switch, PSP or other handheld.
• Cross-Platform Development: Experience with mobile platforms (iOS/Android) and higher power platforms (PS5, PC, Mac etc.).
• Experience publishing large SDKs: Familiarity with running or leading a closed or open-source project with many consumers. Understanding release cadence, test planning, documentation, API design etc.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Passionate about graphics and gaming technologies, demonstrating attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.

Languages:

• English – native or proficient required.
• Japanese – ability to speak and read is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, legally protected physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, genetic information or membership in any other legally protected category.

We guarantee that individuals with disabilities will be given reasonable accommodations for the job application or interview process, essential job functions, and other employment benefits and privileges. Please contact us to request accommodations.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.

Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job-related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top-tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below: $187,700 — $281,500 USD.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.