Principal Software Engineer - C++ (Cloud Video Framework)

About the Role

Join our team as a Principal Software Engineer - C++ (Cloud Video Framework) at Hawk-Eye Innovations. In this role, you will lead the development of our next-generation video services, ensuring our systems power some of the most exciting moments in sports. This Principal Software Engineer position is a high-impact leadership role focused on building foundational frameworks that ensure our video remains performant and frame-accurate 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.

Requirements

• 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, including using FFmpeg and understanding the trade-offs between different compression standards and bitstreams.
• Leadership Gravity: Proven ability to lead people and technical directions with 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.

Nice to Have

• 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.

What We Offer

• 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.

Hawk-Eye Innovations builds scalable backend systems and cloud-deployed solutions specifically for the sports tech industry, working with major leagues like the NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA. We focus on enhancing fan experiences and optimizing event management through innovative technology.