Senior iOS Video Player Engineer
Austin, TX (Remote)
Posted 3 months ago
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Job Description
Key ResponsibilitiesDesign, build, and maintain live video playback functionality for iOS and tvOS applications (iPhone, iPad, Apple TV).
Optimize HLS playback using AVPlayer, with a strong focus on startup time, buffering behavior, latency, and playback stability.
Troubleshoot and resolve complex playback issues in live streaming environments, including errors, stalls, and drift from the live edge.
Tune playback performance at scale to ensure reliable, high-quality viewing experiences.
Use video analytics and QoE metrics to diagnose issues and improve real-world playback performance.
Core Requirements7+ years of iOS development experience with deep expertise in Swift and Objective-C.
Proven experience building and maintaining video players or live playback components for iOS/tvOS.
Strong hands-on experience with HLS and AVPlayer, including tuning and troubleshooting playback behavior, especially for live streaming.
Demonstrated ability to debug and optimize playback performance, including rebuffering, startup time, and playback stability.
Familiarity with video streaming protocols, live playback concepts (latency, live edge, drift), ABR logic, and DRM integration.
Experience using video analytics or QoE metrics (e.g., Mux, Conviva) to diagnose and improve real-world playback performance
Nice to HaveBackground working in sports large-scale streaming environments.
Experience with ad tech, especially in live streaming scenarios.
Core Requirements:
- Work closely with Engineering/Product/Project Management and Backend Technology Services teams to build video player features that contribute to FOX video streaming initiatives
- Contribute to the design, architecture and implementation of player features on iOS devices (Apple TV, iPad, iOS Mobile devices)
- Spearhead efforts in performance, scalability, security, architecture and engineering best practices
- Track and prioritize numerous tasks for various team members
- Provide technical specifications and documentation
- Collaborate with team members to deliver software using agile methodologies
- Willingness to stay up-to-date with the latest in emerging technologies/trends on mobile platforms
- Required Skills
- BS/MS degree in Computer Science or equivalent
- Excellent programming skills in Swift, Objective-C development experience
- Experience with tools from Xcode
- Experience building components to support video playback, user interfaces, video metadata, and third-party integrations
- Experience leading a mobile application team at a tech company
- Demonstrable knowledge of building responsive user experiences across phones and tablets
- Experience with RESTful APIs, unit testing and end-end testing
- Git, SVN, Jenkins, Docker, Agile methodologies
- Excellent documentation skills, UML diagrams a plus
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with an ability to work in a highly collaborative environment
- Experience with video streaming technologies (HLS)
- Experience with video QoE metrics, ABR algorithms, video player frameworks
- Experience with analytics platforms (Conviva, Mux)
- Expertise in Swift & Objective-C: Strong programming skills with experience in iOS development and Apple’s Xcode toolset
- Video Player Development: Experience building and optimizing components for video playback, user interfaces, metadata handling, and third-party integrations
- Mobile Application Leadership: Proven ability to lead a mobile application team in a tech-driven environment
- Responsive User Experience (UX) Design: Demonstrable knowledge of building responsive and adaptive UI/UX across iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV
- API & Testing Expertise: Experience working with RESTful APIs, unit testing, and end-to-end testing methodologies
- DevOps & Agile Workflow: Proficiency in Git, SVN, Jenkins, Docker, and working within Agile methodologies
- Technical Documentation & Communication: Strong documentation skills, with experience in UML diagrams being a plus
- Collaborate with Engineering, Product, and Backend Technology Services teams to design, architect, and implement advanced video player features for iOS devices
- Develop and optimize video streaming capabilities for Apple TV, iPads, and iOS mobile devices
- Spearhead efforts in performance, scalability, security, and engineering best practices
- Track and prioritize multiple tasks across the engineering team
- Provide technical specifications and documentation to ensure maintainability and scalability
- Implement Agile methodologies to develop and deploy high-quality software efficiently
- Stay updated with emerging technologies and trends in mobile platforms and video streaming
- Experience with video streaming technologies like HLS (HTTP Live Streaming)
- Knowledge of video QoE (Quality of Experience) metrics, ABR (Adaptive Bitrate) algorithms, and video player frameworks
- Familiarity with analytics platforms such as Conviva or Mux to monitor and optimize video playback performance
- Problem-Solving & Innovation: Ability to troubleshoot complex video playback issues and develop scalable solutions
- Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to stakeholders
- Ownership & Leadership: Comfortable leading mobile teams, driving projects, and ensuring best practices in iOS video player engineering
- Contract Duration: Open-ended long term
45-55
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