Senior Software Engineer
5V VideoAbout the role
Senior Software Engineer, Browser
Philadelphia, PA (Hybrid)
The Role
RDKM is hiring a Senior Software Engineer to work on the browser engine that powers the app and UI layer of RDK-based set-top boxes and streaming devices: WPE WebKit. WPE is the lightweight, WebKit2-based engine (built on Wayland/EGL) that RDK uses in place of the older QtWebKit stack, and it's the runtime that streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, along with operator UIs, render through on constrained embedded hardware. You'll work on engine internals and platform integration, not application-layer UI work, with a focus on rendering performance, memory footprint, media playback, and stability on resource-constrained set-top box and IP video hardware, working closely with silicon vendors and operator engineering teams across the RDK ecosystem.
What You'll Do
- Develop, debug, and optimize the WPE WebKit browser engine for embedded RDKV devices, including rendering, JavaScript execution (JSC), and layout performance on constrained CPU/GPU/memory budgets
- Integrate and tune the graphics pipeline (Wayland compositor, EGL, Cairo/Skia) and
video pipeline (GStreamer, hardware-accelerated decode, Media Source Extensions for DASH streaming) that WPE depends on
- Diagnose and resolve performance issues (startup time, frame rate, memory leaks, JS heap growth) surfaced by high-traffic streaming apps running on top of WPE
- Port and validate WPE across new silicon (SoC) platforms in partnership with chipset vendors, and support RDK's multi-vendor build and CI process
- Work upstream with the WebKit/WPE open-source community, submitting patches and tracking upstream releases for integration into RDK
- Support DRM/Secure Video Path (SVP) integration for OTT playback (Widevine, PlayReady, Verimatrix, etc.) within the browser's media stack
- Collaborate with RDKM's core video engineering, QA, and release teams, plus
external operator and OEM engineering partners, to triage field issues and drive fixes into RDK releases
- Contribute to technical documentation and mentor engineers newer to embedded
browser/WebKit work
What You'll Need
- 6+ years of C/C++ development experience, with strong fundamentals in memory management, multithreading, and performance profiling
- Hands-on experience with WebKit, WPE, Chromium, Blink, or another browser engine's internals (rendering, layout, JS engine, or media pipeline)
- Experience with embedded Linux development, including cross-compilation, Yocto/OpenEmbedded, and debugging on constrained hardware
- Working knowledge of graphics/display technologies such as Wayland, X11, EGL, OpenGL ES, Cairo, or Skia
- Familiarity with media pipelines (GStreamer preferred) and adaptive streaming standards (DASH, HLS, MSE/EME)
- Comfort working in and contributing to open-source codebases and upstream communities
- Strong debugging skills across the stack — from JavaScript down to kernel/driver-level issues
Nice to Have
- Direct experience with RDK, RDK-V, or set-top box/CE platform development
- Experience with DRM/CAS integration or Secure Video Path implementations
- Familiarity with Firebolt or other RDK application frameworks
- Experience working with silicon vendors (Broadcom, Amlogic, Realtek, etc.) on platform bring-up
- Contributions to the WebKit or WPEWebKit open-source projects
- Professional Scrum Master / Agile delivery experience in a cross-functional engineering org
Responsibilities
- Develop, debug, and optimize the WPE WebKit browser engine for embedded RDK-V devices
- Integrate and tune the graphics and video pipeline that WPE depends on
- Diagnose and resolve performance issues surfaced by high-traffic streaming apps
- Port and validate WPE across new silicon platforms in partnership with chipset vendors
- Work upstream with the WebKit/WPE open-source community
- Support DRM/Secure Video Path integration for OTT playback
- Collaborate with core video engineering, QA, and release teams
- Contribute to technical documentation and mentor engineers
Qualifications
- 6+ years of C/C++ development experience
- Hands-on experience with WebKit, WPE, Chromium, or another browser engine's internals
- Experience with embedded Linux development
- Working knowledge of graphics/display technologies
- Familiarity with media pipelines and adaptive streaming standards
- Comfort working in and contributing to open-source codebases
- Strong debugging skills across the stack
Skills mentioned
About 5V Video
5V Video is a specialist talent consultancy helping the world's leading broadcast, streaming and CTV companies build the technical teams shaping the future of video. Since 2016, we've partnered with organisations across the UK, Europe and the US to solve complex hiring challenges in one of technology's fastest-moving industries. We specialise exclusively in video technology, giving us unrivalled insight into the people, skills and trends driving the market. Our expertise spans the full video ecosystem, including CTV Development, Broadcast Engineering, Cloud Architecture, AI & Data, Mobile Development, Project & Programme Management and RDK. But what truly sets us apart is that we don't just recruit for the industry—we're part of it. Through our sister brand, 5V Media, we create the platforms, conversations and content that bring the global video community together. From The Media & Entertainment Mixer networking events to the Playback Pioneers Podcast and annual Playback Pioneers Report, we're helping connect the engineers, product leaders, innovators and businesses shaping the future of streaming and broadcast. As a Preferred Plus Partner of RDK, we're deeply embedded within the ecosystem, working closely with the organisations and technology leaders driving innovation across connected TV and video platforms. This gives us direct access to the communities, conversations and talent that others simply don't see. Alongside specialist talent solutions, we help our partners strengthen their employer brand through recruitment marketing, video content and industry visibility, making them companies people genuinely want to work for. Whether you're scaling a team, entering a new market or searching for your next opportunity, we combine deep technical expertise, community-led insight and a relationship-first approach to deliver talent solutions that create lasting impact. At 5V Video, we don't wait for hiring needs to happen, we're already part of the conversations.