Encoding Engineer

Description

The Encoding Engineer will focus on architecting and executing world‑class live video streaming operations in no‑fail scenarios. You’ll deliver innovations and optimizations in video encoding, manifest generation, and stream delivery to provide best‑in‑class live and VOD viewer experiences across all platforms and devices globally.

• Design and optimize HLS delivery workflows including manifest manipulation, multi‑variant playlist generation, and adaptive bitrate switching logic to maximize viewer experience across diverse network conditions.
• Advance low‑latency streaming capabilities through LL‑HLS implementation, achieving sub‑3s glass‑to‑glass latency while preserving A  performance and universal client compatibility.
• Implement advanced streaming technologies and protocols such as LL‑HLS while preserving A  performance and universal client compatibility.
• Ensure all systems are redundant and offer enterprise‑class resilience with documented failover procedures and SLA compliance.
• Lead technical relationship with CDN partners, vendor encoding engineers, and asset management teams.
• Execute rigorous pre‑event validation protocols including synthetic load simulation across CDN infrastructure, encoder failover testing, and manifest validation.
• Architect and implement an enhanced content protection strategy including DRM keys, forensic watermarking, and rights management workflows while maintaining seamless authentication and playback.
• Deploy, and maintain real‑time, quantitative monitoring systems for all streaming platforms and encoding components. These will include comprehensive dashboards tracking HLS manifest health, segment availability, bitrate ladder performance, and viewer QoE metrics.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation of streaming best practices, encoding parameters, encoder configurations, and signal flow diagrams for both live and VOD workflows.
• Drive the execution of advanced troubleshooting protocols and automated remediation workflows for live streaming incidents, minimizing viewer impact during critical events.
• Define and steward our strategic roadmap for live streaming infrastructure, including emerging codecs (such as MV‑HEVC, VVC, and AV1), next‑generation protocols, and innovative accessibility workflows.
• Maintain vendor accountability for performance SLAs, ensuring adherence to Apple’s procurement policies while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and security.
• Champion Apple’s exceptional fidelity‑to‑intent and technical standards for all streaming events in collaboration with editorial, color, VFX, and engineering teams to ensure pixel‑perfect delivery.

• 10+ years validated experience in online broadcasting roles at organizations that regularly livestream video to international audiences composed of >5MM concurrent viewers.
• Operational experience with on‑premises and cloud‑encoding systems.
• Deep technical expertise in HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) protocol, including advanced manifest manipulation, variant stream management, and adaptive bitrate optimization.
• Advanced knowledge of CDN behaviour, edge caching strategies, and origin shield architectures as they relate to live streaming delivery.
• Proven track record implementing comprehensive stream health monitoring systems with real‑time metrics collection, analysis, and alerting frameworks.
• Hands‑on experience with streaming analytics tools and platforms for measuring QoE metrics including buffering ratio, startup time, bitrate distribution, and error rates across millions of concurrent sessions.
• Expert‑level proficiency in analysing streaming telemetry data to identify performance bottlenecks, quality degradation patterns, and viewer experience issues at scale.
• Demonstrable experience documenting streaming best‑practices, encoding parameters, and signal flow topologies with attention to scalability and maintainability.
• Experience on technical standards boards or with protocol working groups (IETF, W3C, SMPTE, etc.) strongly preferred.
• Experience collaborating with international partners and collaborators who have varying degrees of technical knowledge.