Staff Software Engineer – Multimedia, Video Pipeline

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies

. Define and own the architecture of the camera-to-display video pipeline .

Posted 10/13/2026full-timePalo Alto • California • United StatesLead💰 $186,000 - $255,750 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expert proficiency in modern C++ for Linux/embedded systems, with extensive experience in building production video pipelines and optimizing media workloads across heterogeneous hardware. Capable of leading architecture for complex multimedia systems while mentoring engineers and ensuring cross-team alignment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Modern C++ (C++17 or Later)GStreamer DevelopmentVideo Pipeline ArchitectureReal-Time Systems OptimizationMultimedia System Integration

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

H.264 Video EncodingH.265 Video EncodingAV1 Video EncodingRTSP ProtocolRTP ProtocolWebRTC ProtocolV4L2LibcameraFFmpegMultithreading

Soft Skills

MentoringCollaborationCross-Team Alignment

Tools & Technologies

LinuxEmbedded SystemsDMA-BUFDRM/KMSWaylandEGLISP TuningZero-Copy Data PathsTelemetryTracing

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer ScienceMaster’s Degree in Computer EngineeringMaster’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Industry Keywords

Automotive Camera SystemsFunctional-Safety RequirementsSecurity RequirementsComputer Vision IntegrationAI IntegrationOpenCLOpenGL ESVulkan

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

FFmpegLinuxC++

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and own the architecture of the camera-to-display video pipeline
Design, develop, implement, and integrate hardware-accelerated H.264/H.265/AV1 video encoding and decoding
Develop streaming and recording features using RTSP, RTP, WebRTC, MP4, and MKV
Analyze and optimize real-time video performance and glass-to-glass latency across CPU, GPU, VPU/hardware codecs, ISP, and DSP
Build and maintain the multimedia stack using GStreamer, V4L2, libcamera, FFmpeg, and vendor SDKs
Integrate multimedia systems with the OS, display server, and downstream CV/AI, HMI, and telematics consumers
Set standards, review designs and code, mentor engineers, and drive cross-team alignment
Collaborate with product, hardware, camera/ISP, perception, and platform teams
Establish video quality metrics, latency measurement, telemetry, and tracing
Detect and resolve frame drops, tearing, A/V synchronization, and production stability issues
Prototype and iterate on pipeline designs and codec configurations

Requirements

What you’ll need

Expert proficiency in modern C++ (C++17 or later) on Linux/embedded systems
Strong multithreading and real-time systems skills
Extensive hands-on experience building production video pipelines, including camera capture (V4L2/libcamera), ISP tuning integration, hardware codecs (H.264/H.265/AV1), and streaming protocols (RTSP/RTP/WebRTC)
Deep experience with GStreamer, including custom plugin/element development, and/or FFmpeg
Experience with Linux graphics/memory primitives (DMA-BUF, DRM/KMS, Wayland, EGL)
Experience optimizing media workloads on embedded heterogeneous hardware (CPU, GPU, VPU, ISP, DSP), including zero-copy data paths and power/thermal-aware design
Experience leading architecture for complex multimedia systems, mentoring engineers, and influencing roadmaps across teams
Strong understanding of algorithms, data structures, software architecture, and video fundamentals
Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
10+ years of relevant experience
Preferred: automotive camera systems, functional-safety or security requirements, computer vision/AI integration, and OpenCL/OpenGL ES/Vulkan

Benefits

Comp & perks

Annual company performance bonus program; annual bonus target of 15%
Equity in the form of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), subject to board approval and vesting requirements
Health coverage
Retirement savings
Time off
Family planning programs
Hybrid work arrangement