Staff Engineer, Cinema Technology

Dolby; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 171,000 - 234,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Equity

Health benefits

Job summary

Dolby is seeking a Senior/Staff Software Engineer for the Cinema Technology Group in San Francisco. You will design and maintain real-time embedded software for cinema playback servers, audio processors, and related devices.

The role emphasizes secure, scalable software on embedded platforms and collaboration with cross‑functional teams. Bring 5+ years in C/C++, deep Linux experience, and a track record of innovation in embedded imaging/audio.

Qualifications

• BS or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related.
• 5+ years in real-time embedded or audio/video products with C/C++.
• Strong written and verbal communication in a globally distributed organization.
• Linux experience including custom driver and kernel patches.
• Consistent history of innovation and creativity.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain security and audio/video real-time software on embedded platforms (ARM, x86, FPGA) with Linux/Open‑BSD based stacks.
• Design and maintain product-secured infrastructure that scales from manufacture to release.
• Collaborate with industry groups (DCI, SMPTE) to implement new standards.
• Work with Dolby research teams to bring technologies to releasable products for cinemas.
• Stay current with industry trends and provide guidance to others.
• Deliver development projects on schedule.

Skills

Real-time embedded software

C/C++

Linux experience

Written and verbal communication

Standards knowledge (DCI/SMPTE)

Mentoring/Guidance

Education

BS or higher in CS/CE/EE

Tools

Linux kernel patches

Embedded platforms

ARM/x86/FPGA

Job description

Join the leader in entertainment innovation and help us design the future. At Dolby, science meets art, and high tech means more than computer code. As a member of the Dolby team, you’ll see and hear the results of your work everywhere, from movie theaters to smartphones. We continue to revolutionize how people create, deliver, and enjoy entertainment worldwide. To do that, we need the absolute best talent. We’re big enough to give you all the resources you need, and small enough so you can make a real difference and earn recognition for your work. We offer a collegial culture, challenging projects, and excellent compensation and benefits,not to mention aFlex Workapproach that is truly flexible to support where, when, and how you do your best work.

Dolby’s consumer entertainmentand cinema businesses are bringing Dolby’s breakthrough technologies, powering the world’s top movies, TV shows, music, games, and live sports to more places around the world across a wider range of consumer experiences and devices.

The Cinema team in Dolby is responsible for prototyping and designing cutting‑edge imaging and audio professional products for Cinema Exhibition and Postproduction. Bring your creativity and passion to help build the future of the cinematic entertainment experience.

Job Responsibilities:

As a Senior or Staff Software Engineer in Dolby’s Cinema Technology Group, you will be part of a team of talented software engineers developing and maintaining the software for products such as digital cinema playback servers, cinema audio processors and audio amplifiers. You will help design real-time secure software on embedded platforms for imaging and audio products.

Responsibilities include:

• Design and maintain security and audio/video real‑time software on mixed‑architecture embedded platforms (ARM, x86, FPGA, etc) with a software stack that’s typically Linux or Open‑BSD based.
• Design and maintain product secured infrastructure that scales from manufacture to release.
• Work with DCI, SMPTE, and other industry groups to develop and implement new cutting‑edge standards.
• Work with the many innovative research teams in Dolby to move interesting technologies to releasable, maintainable products used in every local cinema.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Provide guidance to others, inside or outside the engineering group.
• Execute development projects on schedule

Candidate Requirements

• BS or beyond in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related.
• 5+ years of hands‑on experience with real‑time embedded or audio/video products using C/C++.
• High level written and verbal communication skills in both general and technology‑specific applications, this is a globally distributed organization.
• Fluency in current LLM coding techniques, including the ability to elucidate not only advantages but also risks and inefficiencies.
• Deep Linux experience, including the ability to design and implement custom driver and kernel patches.
• A consistent history of innovation and creativity

Nice to have

• Experience in the Digital Cinema industry, or related professional audio, video, or advanced imaging fields.
• Demonstrated experience in secure products and workflows.
• Understanding of the FPGA design and validation workflow, up to and including shipping VHDL and/or Verilog.
• Familiarity with common web technologies to the point where you can solve small problems rather than waiting for other specialists.
• Experience developing for MacOS, Windows, or Windows Server, internals or application.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Dolby is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Our success depends on the combined skills and talents of all our employees. We are committed to making employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, family status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

Dolby will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of San Francisco Police Code, Article 49, and Administrative Code, Article 12

Nearest Major Market:

San Francisco

Nearest Secondary Market:

Oakland

#LI‑VH1

The San Francisco/Bay Area base salary range for this full-time position is $170,600 - 234,200, which can vary if outside this location,plus bonus, benefits, and some roles may also include equity. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, competencies, experience, market demands, internal parity, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range and perks and benefits for your location during the hiring process.