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- Tasks: Lead the development of next-gen video services for live sports.
- Company: Hawk-Eye Innovations, a leader in sports technology.
- Benefits: 25 days annual leave, hybrid working, wellness perks, and exclusive sporting event access.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sports tech while working with cutting-edge C++ technologies.
- Qualifications: Mastery of modern C++ and deep video expertise, especially with FFmpeg.
The predicted salary is between 74840 - 98370 £ per year.
Salary Banding: £74,840 - £98,370 per annum
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Location: Hybrid, 2 Days a week in the office, minimum
Office Locations: Basingstoke, Bristol, London
Join Our Team as a Principal Software Engineer in Cloud Video Framework at Hawk-Eye Innovations.
At Hawk-Eye, we build systems that power some of the most exciting and critical moments in sport—from instant replays to high-stakes officiating decisions seen by millions around the world. Our Cloud Video Framework team is the engine behind these moments. We are looking for a Principal Software Engineer to lead the development of our next-generation video services. This is a high-impact leadership role focused on building the foundational frameworks that ensure our video remains performant, frame-accurate, and rock-solid in any environment.
What You'll Be Doing
- Architectural Leadership: Own the technical roadmap for our core C++ video frameworks, ensuring they are modular, scalable, and optimized for both local and distributed environments.
- Engineering Excellence: Write and review high-performance, multithreaded C++ code that serves as the gold standard for the rest of the organization.
- Video Mastery: Leverage deep knowledge of video codecs and containers—specifically using FFmpeg—to solve complex synchronization and transcoding challenges.
- Strategic Mentorship: Lead technical discussions, contribute to design decisions, and act as a force multiplier by mentoring Senior and Mid-level engineers.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with product teams and customers to refine and deliver the best solutions for live global sports.
What We're Looking For
- C++ Authority: Mastery of modern C++ (ideally up to C++20) with extensive experience writing multithreaded, performance-optimized code for high-pressure environments.
- Deep Video Expertise: Significant experience "under the hood" with video. You should have experience using FFmpeg and understand the trade-offs between different compression standards and bitstreams.
- Leadership Gravity: Proven ability to lead people and technical directions. You have the soft skills to navigate stakeholders and the technical depth to win the respect of elite developers.
- Tooling & Workflow: Total comfort with Git, Visual Studio, and advanced debugging workflows for complex, distributed systems.
- Problem-Solving Mindset: A proactive approach to solving real-world problems and an eagerness to contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Bonus Points For
- Cloud & DevOps: Experience with AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda) or other cloud providers, particularly regarding containerization and elastic video orchestration.
- Hardware & Protocols: Knowledge of GPU acceleration (NVIDIA NVENC/NVDEC), network protocols (SRT, RIST, WebRTC), or libraries like Qt and OpenGL.
- High-Stakes Experience: A passion for sport or experience working in high-performance environments where reliability is non-negotiable.
Benefits & Perks
- Annual Leave: 25 days plus 8 public holidays
- Enhanced Pension Scheme: 5% matching
- Flexible Working: Hybrid model (2 days in the office per week)
- Wellness: Complimentary Unmind app, onsite gym (Basingstoke)
- Exclusive Perks: Access to sporting events and tickets, Sony Group Company discounts
Equal Opportunity Employer
We’re committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace. Everyone is treated fairly, regardless of gender, race, religion, age, disability, or background. We want you to be your best and truest self here.
Apply Today
If you’re excited by the idea of solving real-world problems at scale and want to make a difference in the world of sports tech, we’d love to hear from you.
Principal Software Engineer - C++ (Cloud Video Framework) employer: Hawk-Eye Innovations
Contact Detail:
Hawk-Eye Innovations Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer - C++ (Cloud Video Framework)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Hawk-Eye Innovations on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your C++ projects, especially those involving video frameworks. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Brush up on common technical interview questions related to multithreading and video codecs. We want you to feel confident when discussing your expertise.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer - C++ (Cloud Video Framework)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Software Engineer role. Highlight your C++ expertise and any relevant video technology experience to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about sports tech and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our Cloud Video Framework team. Be genuine and let your personality shine through!
Showcase Your Projects: If you've worked on any projects involving C++ or video technologies, make sure to mention them! We love seeing real-world applications of your skills, especially if they relate to high-performance environments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hawk-Eye Innovations
✨Know Your C++ Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your modern C++ skills, especially up to C++20. Be ready to discuss multithreading and performance optimisation in detail, as these are crucial for the role. Prepare examples of your past work that showcase your expertise.
✨Master Video Codecs and FFmpeg
Since deep video expertise is a must, get familiar with various video codecs and containers. Be prepared to discuss how you've used FFmpeg in previous projects, particularly in solving complex challenges related to synchronization and transcoding.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership abilities, so think of instances where you've led technical discussions or mentored other engineers. Be ready to share how you navigated stakeholder relationships and contributed to team success.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Understand the importance of working with product teams and customers. Think about how you've collaborated in the past to deliver solutions, especially in high-pressure environments. Highlight your problem-solving mindset and eagerness to improve processes.