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

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

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

Hi, I’m Tim Seals, Principal Software Engineer and C++ Apps Discipline Lead. 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. While our heritage is in-stadia hardware, our future is a hybrid ecosystem where "the edge" meets the cloud. 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.