Lead Systems Software Architect

About the role

Roku’s leadership in streaming depends on delivering exceptional devices that combine the right hardware platforms with Roku OS to create simple, reliable, and delightful experiences. Roku is the #1 TV streaming platform in North America, and we’ve set our sights on powering every television in the world. Roku pioneered streaming to the TV.  

Our mission is to change the face of television and streaming media watching around the world. This role is tasked with leveraging hardware and software to create a unique viewing experience, one that turns users into raving fans.  

You will report directly to the Vice President of Software Engineering and serve as a key technical contributor for Roku’s device platform strategy, with a strong focus on high-quality software solutions.

We are looking for a highly skilled Lead Systems Software Architect who leads complex implementations for Roku TVs and streaming devices, grounded in a deep understanding of multimedia system design (video/audio pipelines, SoCs, memory, power, thermals). You will design, implement, debug, and optimize the software platform that spans the full system, ensuring it is performant, secure, and scalable across SKUs and generations. You will collaborate with ODM partners, chipset vendors, and internal software/hardware teams to drive products from concept to mass production.

The work we do can be challenging, but that’s why we enjoy it so much. The ideal candidate isn’t a bystander. They are curious and engaged, willing to jump in to solve problems and make data-driven decisions even when things feel very ambiguous. Our industry changes quickly, so we expect a great candidate to be comfortable responding quickly to changing business needs, knowing that their own success comes when the team succeeds.

For California Only - The estimated annual salary for this position is between $350,000 - $510,000 annually. Compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, certifications, and specific geographical location. This role is eligible for health insurance, equity awards, life insurance, disability benefits, parental leave, wellness benefits, and paid time off."    

 

What you’ll be doing

Software development & platform ownership 

• Own complex features or subsystems end-to-end, from design and implementation through bring-up, validation, and production support.
• Translate product and business goals into concrete designs, tasks, and implementation plans.
• Design, implement, and maintain core platform software for Roku device programs and platforms, with a strong focus on code quality, robustness, and long-term maintainability.
• Contribute to and influence hardware–software partitioning, platform APIs, and integration patterns to enable feature teams to build reliably on the device platform.
• Drive and model best practices for coding standards, code reviews, testing strategies, and CI/CD for platform software. 

Multimedia & system-level engineering 

• Implement and optimize video/audio pipelines, codecs, and rendering paths to deliver high-quality playback, low latency, and smooth UI/UX for streaming applications. 
• Contribute