Remote Software Engineer III role with a multinational company

Job Title: Software Engineer III
Location: Remote (PST Time Zone Preferred)
Contract Duration: 9 Months (Extension Possible)
Pay Rate: $90 - 96/hr on w2
Start Date: ASAP


Role Summary
Our direct client is seeking an experienced Software Engineer III to support media-focused full stack and backend systems. This role will focus on building, debugging, and optimizing media ingestion and encoding pipelines, as well as improving the reliability, scalability, and performance of complex media systems.
The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in PHP, React, and C++, deep knowledge of media stacks, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment while collaborating closely with a senior engineer.
Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and debug media full stack and backend systems
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex issues related to media ingestion, encoding, and system performance
• Implement best practices for operational excellence, ensuring system reliability, scalability, and maintainability
• Develop and maintain monitoring and alerting solutions to proactively identify and resolve issues
• Collaborate closely with a senior engineer to identify root causes and drive bug fixes and performance improvements
• Work cross-functionally to communicate technical issues, solutions, and improvements to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Optimize media ingestion and encoding workflows to improve system efficiency and user experience
• Independently own assigned components of the media stack and propose continuous improvements

Must-Have Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in software engineering with a focus on media full stack and backend development
• Strong expertise in PHP, React, and C++
• Hands-on experience with media ingestion and encoding pipelines
• Familiarity with modern encoding formats such as AV1 and HEVC
• Solid understanding of backend engineering principles, scalability, and performance optimization
• Experience debugging complex, production-level systems

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Prior experience at media-focused companies
• Experience working in fast-paced environments with minimal onboarding support
• Ability to be proactive, flexible, and self-directed

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field (required)

Interview Process

• Round 1: Technical / Hiring Manager Screen (Zoom)
• Round 2: Coding Interview (CoderPad)
• Interview Duration: ~45 minutes per round

Why This Role Is Compelling
This role offers the opportunity to work on high-impact media systems at scale, collaborate closely with senior engineering leadership, and gain hands-on experience improving production-level media stacks in a fast-paced environment.
 
Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some job duties such as adhering to company policies, exercising sound judgment, managing stress, working respectfully with others, meeting client expectations, and safeguarding business operations and reputation.