At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of next-gen video services in a dynamic sports tech environment.
- Company: Join Hawk-Eye Innovations, a leader in sports technology with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, flexible working, and exclusive perks like event tickets.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with excellent career growth opportunities in a diverse workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global sports with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Mastery of C++ and deep video expertise, with leadership skills to guide teams.
The predicted salary is between 74340 - 100340 £ per year.
Salary Banding: £74,340 - £100,340 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) in Basingstoke employer: HEI
Hawk-Eye Innovations is an exceptional employer for Computer Vision Engineers, offering a dynamic hybrid working environment in Budapest that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong emphasis on continuous learning and professional growth, employees are encouraged to take ownership of their projects while enjoying exclusive perks such as access to sporting events and comprehensive wellness benefits. Join a passionate team dedicated to developing cutting-edge technology that shapes the future of elite sports.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Software Engineer - C++ (Cloud Video Framework) in Basingstoke
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at HEI or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to HEI.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like HEI.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like HEI that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Software Engineer - C++ (Cloud Video Framework) in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at HEI.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at HEI and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at HEI
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If HEI uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
