At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build C++ integration for Spotify's audio and video playback on TV devices.
- Company: Join Spotify, a leader in creating effortless audio experiences for billions.
- Benefits: Flexible work options, extensive learning opportunities, and generous parental leave.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on high-quality playback experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on how millions enjoy music and video every day.
- Qualifications: Strong C++ experience, especially in media or playback domains.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We design Spotify’s consumer experience—end to end, moment to moment, across every screen, platform, and partner integration. Our mission is to make listening feel effortless, personal, and joyful for billions of users around the world. That means turning complexity into clarity across hundreds of touchpoints—from our mobile and desktop apps to the smart speakers, TVs, cars, and integrations where Spotify shows up every day. If it touches a consumer, we shape it. We bring deep insight into human behavior, design, and technology to craft experiences that feel intuitive, expressive, and unmistakably Spotify.
At Spotify, we’re building the best way to experience audio and video — everywhere, every time. As listening and watching on TV continues to grow, we’re investing deeply in native, video-first playback experiences that are fast, reliable, and feel effortless.
The Native Playback team sits at the heart of Spotify’s TV strategy. We integrate Spotify’s playback experience with the native players and media frameworks available on each platform. Our work happens close to the system — where performance, reliability, and quality truly matter — and directly impacts how millions of people experience Spotify every day.
What You’ll Do
- Design, build, and evolve the C++ integration layer that powers Spotify’s audio and video playback on TV devices running our new Rust runtime.
- Integrate Spotify’s playback experience with platform-native media frameworks such as AVPlayer, ExoPlayer, or equivalent TV player stacks.
- Own critical playback areas including buffering strategies, playback state handling, A/V synchronization, adaptive bitrate configuration, track selection, and rendering paths.
- Debug complex performance and reliability issues across multiple layers — from application logic to OS-level frameworks and hardware acceleration.
- Partner closely with Playback platform teams and device teams to ensure shared APIs and designs translate cleanly into real-world TV implementations.
- Improve test coverage, tooling, and observability to detect regressions and speed up iteration cycles.
- Contribute to thoughtful technical design discussions and raise the bar for playback quality through code reviews and knowledge sharing.
Who You Are
- You have strong experience building low-level systems in C++, ideally within video, media, or playback domains.
- You have hands‑on experience integrating native playback frameworks such as AVPlayer, ExoPlayer, vendor SDKs, or similar media stacks.
- You have a deep understanding of video playback fundamentals including codecs, streaming formats, adaptive bitrate (ABR), buffering behavior, and A/V synchronization trade‑offs.
- You are comfortable working close to the OS and media framework layer and diagnosing issues that span multiple system boundaries.
- You have experience contributing to the design and evolution of scalable technical systems across platforms.
- You are confident debugging performance and reliability issues using logs, traces, profilers, and system diagnostics tools.
- You collaborate effectively across teams and communicate technical trade‑offs clearly.
- You care deeply about delivering reliable, high‑quality playback experiences for millions of users.
Where You’ll Be
This role is based in London or Stockholm. We offer you the flexibility to work where you work best. While some in‑person collaboration is expected, you’ll also have the option to work from home.
Extensive learning opportunities, through our dedicated team, GreenHouse. Flexible share incentives letting you choose how you share in our success. Global parental leave, six months off - for all new parents. All The Feels, our employee assistance program and self-care hub. Flexible public holidays, swap days off according to your values and beliefs.
Senior Software Engineer, TV Playback (C++) employer: Spotify AB
At Spotify, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. Our London and Stockholm offices provide extensive learning opportunities through our dedicated team, GreenHouse, alongside flexible working arrangements that empower you to choose where you work best. With generous parental leave, a focus on employee well-being through our All The Feels programme, and the ability to swap public holidays to align with your values, we ensure that our employees feel valued and supported in their personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Software Engineer, TV Playback (C++)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, especially those at Spotify. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or GitHub with projects related to C++ and media playback, make sure to highlight them. Real-world examples speak volumes!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your debugging skills and understanding of video playback fundamentals. Practice explaining your thought process clearly—communication is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Spotify team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Software Engineer, TV Playback (C++)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Senior Software Engineer role. Highlight your C++ expertise and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially in video or media domains.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about building playback experiences. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in low-level systems or integrated native playback frameworks.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, mention instances where you've debugged complex performance issues or improved playback quality. We love seeing how you approach challenges and what solutions you've implemented.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Spotify AB
✨Know Your C++ Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your C++ skills, especially in the context of low-level systems and media frameworks. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences with integrating playback frameworks like AVPlayer or ExoPlayer, and how you've tackled performance issues.
✨Understand Video Playback Fundamentals
Familiarise yourself with key concepts such as codecs, streaming formats, and A/V synchronisation. Being able to explain these topics clearly will show that you have a solid grasp of what’s required for the role and can contribute meaningfully to discussions.
✨Prepare for Technical Design Discussions
Think about some technical design challenges you've faced in previous roles. Be ready to share your thought process and how you approached problem-solving, especially in relation to scalable systems and playback quality.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
Spotify values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you’ve navigated technical trade-offs to achieve shared goals.
