Software Optimization Engineer – GPU, Hardware-Accelerated Media (FFmpeg, HandBrake, Intel® Quick Sync Video)

Intel Corporation

Software Optimization Engineer at Intel delivering hardware-accelerated video solutions. Collaborating with open-source communities and ensuring optimal media performance on Intel platforms.

Posted 7/2/2026full-timeMunich • 🇩🇪 GermanyMid-LevelSenior💰 €62,220 - €112,550 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

FFmpegLinuxPyTorchTypeScript

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

A unique Software Engineering position combining leading-edge media software engineering work with software and hardware architectural influence and deep GPU/media domain expertise.
Deliver industry-leading hardware-accelerated video solutions on Intel Graphics architecture to the market.
Work with leading open-source media communities (FFmpeg, HandBrake, VLC, etc.), independent software vendors, broadcasters, and content-creation partners.
Ensure that hardware-accelerated encode, decode, transcode, and video-processing pipelines run optimally on Intel client and workstation platforms.
Utilize deep expertise in Intel® Quick Sync Video (QSV), oneVPL/VPL, Video Acceleration APIs (VA-API on Linux, D3D11/12 Video on Windows), and modern codec standards.
Research, develop, prototype, and upstream contributions that drive adoption of Intel media capabilities across the open-source ecosystem.
Support and influence software development during all phases of the lifecycle, including feature definition, project setup, execution, upstream review and integration, and go-to-market activities.
Provide technical training, consultation, and hands-on assistance to open-source maintainers and ISV developers.
Engage with open-source maintainers and ISV partners to provide performance analysis and technical guidance throughout the software lifecycle.
Interface with Intel engineering groups to resolve issues affecting customer and community success.
Serve as the voice of the open-source media ecosystem within Intel, researching emerging codecs and standards, and staying current with industry advancements.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Degree or equivalent experience in a scientific or engineering discipline.
Advanced experience programming in modern C and C++.
Advanced experience with hardware-accelerated video programming using one or more of the following: Intel® Quick Sync Video / oneVPL / libmfx VA-API DXVA and Direct3D 11/12 video on Windows NVENC/NVDEC Equivalent technologies.
Hands-on experience contributing to or extending FFmpeg, HandBrake, or comparable open-source media projects (e.g., libav, GStreamer, x264/x265, SVT-AV1, dav1d).
Solid understanding of modern video codec standards (AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265, AV1, VP9, and awareness of VVC).
Understanding of media containers and streaming protocols such as MP4, MKV, MPEG-TS, RTMP, SRT, HLS, and DASH.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively within public mailing lists and open-source review processes.
Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. (Additional Qualification)
Demonstrated record of accepted upstream patches in FFmpeg, HandBrake, or related projects (please provide commit or pull request links). (Additional Qualification)
Experience with oneVPL/VPL runtime, Intel Media SDK legacy stack, or Intel Graphics media driver components (e.g., media-driver, libva, intel-vaapi-driver). (Additional Qualification)
Experience with AI-assisted media workloads such as super-resolution, denoising, frame interpolation, and scene or shot detection using OpenVINO™, DirectML, ONNX Runtime, or PyTorch. (Additional Qualification)
Experience with low-level GPU programming using Vulkan Video, OpenGL, DirectX, Metal, or compute APIs such as SYCL, DPC++, OpenCL, or CUDA. (Additional Qualification)
Experience with Intel software development and performance analysis tools such as VTune™, Graphics Trace Analyzer, Metrics Discovery API, Intel® C/C++ Compiler, or TBB. (Additional Qualification)
Proven experience with performance profiling, debugging tools, and bitstream analysis for media applications. (Additional Qualification)
Understanding of CPU, GPU, fixed-function media IP, SoC, or DSP architectures. (Additional Qualification)
Working knowledge of Windows and Linux development environments, including building, packaging, and CI workflows for open-source media stacks. (Additional Qualification)
Familiarity with streaming and broadcast workflows, including OBS, FFmpeg-based ingest pipelines, live transcoding, and quality metrics tools such as VMAF and SSIMULACRA2. (Additional Qualification)
Experience managing relationships with open-source maintainers and ISV partners. (Additional Qualification)
Experience planning and executing software projects, benchmarking, and CI-driven validation of media software stacks. (Additional Qualification)
Additional language skills are a plus.

Benefits

Comp & perks

🌐 Worldwide ❌ Jobs You've Hidden ⭐️ Saved Jobs ✅ Applied Jobs ✉️ Email Alerts 👤 Account Intel Corporation Website LinkedIn All Job Openings 10,000+ employees Founded 1968 🔧 Hardware 🤖 Artificial Intelligence 📡 Telecommunications Hardware
Artificial Intelligence
Telecommunications Intel Corporation is a leading technology company that specializes in manufacturing and selling a variety of hardware and software products. Its offerings include processors such as Intel Core, Intel Xeon, and Intel Atom, as well as discrete graphics, AI accelerators, silicon photonics, and embedded solutions. Intel serves various industries with its networking, storage solutions, and developer resources, focusing heavily on AI and performance-driven technologies. The company plays a significant role in advancing computing experiences across PCs, data centers, cloud, edge, and 5G networks. Intel is committed to delivering high performance and secure technologies while fostering innovation through its expansive partner ecosystem and development tools. Software Optimization Engineer – GPU, Hardware-Accelerated Media (FFmpeg, HandBrake, Intel® Quick Sync Video) 🔥 8 minutes ago 🏢🏡 Munich – Hybrid 💵 €62.2k - €112.5k / year ⏰ Full Time 🟡 Mid-level 🟠 Senior 🔧 Hardware Engineer FFmpeg Linux PyTorch TypeScript Apply Now Find Hiring Managers Customize resume + cover letter Report problem ☆ Save ☑️ Mark as applied ❌ Hide 📋 Description
A unique Software Engineering position combining leading-edge media software engineering work with software and hardware architectural influence and deep GPU/media domain expertise.
Deliver industry-leading hardware-accelerated video solutions on Intel Graphics architecture to the market.
Work with leading open-source media communities (FFmpeg, HandBrake, VLC, etc.), independent software vendors, broadcasters, and content-creation partners.
Ensure that hardware-accelerated encode, decode, transcode, and video-processing pipelines run optimally on Intel client and workstation platforms.
Utilize deep expertise in Intel® Quick Sync Video (QSV), oneVPL/VPL, Video Acceleration APIs (VA-API on Linux, D3D11/12 Video on Windows), and modern codec standards.
Research, develop, prototype, and upstream contributions that drive adoption of Intel media capabilities across the open-source ecosystem.
Support and influence software development during all phases of the lifecycle, including feature definition, project setup, execution, upstream review and integration, and go-to-market activities.
Provide technical training, consultation, and hands-on assistance to open-source maintainers and ISV developers.
Engage with open-source maintainers and ISV partners to provide performance analysis and technical guidance throughout the software lifecycle.
Interface with Intel engineering groups to resolve issues affecting customer and community success.
Serve as the voice of the open-source media ecosystem within Intel, researching emerging codecs and standards, and staying current with industry advancements. 🎯 Requirements
Degree or equivalent experience in a scientific or engineering discipline.
Advanced experience programming in modern C and C++.
Advanced experience with hardware-accelerated video programming using one or more of the following: Intel® Quick Sync Video / oneVPL / libmfx VA-API DXVA and Direct3D 11/12 video on Windows NVENC/NVDEC Equivalent technologies.
Hands-on experience contributing to or extending FFmpeg, HandBrake, or comparable open-source media projects (e.g., libav, GStreamer, x264/x265, SVT-AV1, dav1d).
Solid understanding of modern video codec standards (AVC/H.264, HEVC/H.265, AV1, VP9, and awareness of VVC).
Understanding of media containers and streaming protocols such as MP4, MKV, MPEG-TS, RTMP, SRT, HLS, and DASH.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills, including the ability to work effectively within public mailing lists and open-source review processes.
Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. (Additional Qualification)
Demonstrated record of accepted upstream patches in FFmpeg, HandBrake, or related projects (please provide commit or pull request links). (Additional Qualification)
Experience with oneVPL/VPL runtime, Intel Media SDK legacy stack, or Intel Graphics media driver components (e.g., media-driver, libva, intel-vaapi-driver). (Additional Qualification)
Experience with AI-assisted media workloads such as super-resolution, denoising, frame interpolation, and scene or shot detection using OpenVINO™, DirectML, ONNX Runtime, or PyTorch. (Additional Qualification)
Experience with low-level GPU programming using Vulkan Video, OpenGL, DirectX, Metal, or compute APIs such as SYCL, DPC++, OpenCL, or CUDA. (Additional Qualification)
Experience with Intel software development and performance analysis tools such as VTune™, Graphics Trace Analyzer, Metrics Discovery API, Intel® C/C++ Compiler, or TBB. (Additional Qualification)
Proven experience with performance profiling, debugging tools, and bitstream analysis for media applications. (Additional Qualification)
Understanding of CPU, GPU, fixed-function media IP, SoC, or DSP architectures. (Additional Qualification)
Working knowledge of Windows and Linux development environments, including building, packaging, and CI workflows for open-source media stacks. (Additional Qualification)
Familiarity with streaming and broadcast workflows, including OBS, FFmpeg-based ingest pipelines, live transcoding, and quality metrics tools such as VMAF and SSIMULACRA2. (Additional Qualification)
Experience managing relationships with open-source maintainers and ISV partners. (Additional Qualification)
Experience planning and executing software projects, benchmarking, and CI-driven validation of media software stacks. (Additional Qualification)
Additional language skills are a plus. Apply Now 📊 Check your resume score for this job Improve your chances of getting an interview by checking your resume score before you apply. Check Resume Score 🌐 Worldwide Built by Lior Neu-ner. I'd love to hear your feedback — Get in touch via DM or support@remoterocketship.com Search Search Jobs by country Search jobs by city Search jobs by job title Search entry-level jobs Search junior-level jobs Search senior-level jobs Search jobs by tech stack Search jobs by contract type Search remote internships Search remote part-time jobs Remote jobs Anywhere in the World Companies Hiring Anywhere in the World Companies Hiring Sales People Anywhere in the World Companies Hiring Software Engineers Anywhere in the World Resources Advice Tips for finding remote jobs Interview questions and answers Resume examples Cover letter examples Post a job Affiliates Privacy policy Terms of service Job board SEO course AI Apply Copilot OpenClaw job finder Find jobs using your resume Jobs by Country Remote jobs anywhere in the world (Worldwide remote jobs) Remote jobs United States Remote jobs Australia Remote jobs Brazil Remote jobs Canada Remote jobs France Remote jobs Ireland Remote jobs Germany Remote jobs Netherlands Remote jobs Spain Remote jobs UK Popular Jobs Remote data analyst jobs Remote customer support jobs Remote executive assistant jobs Remote marketing jobs Remote product designer jobs Remote product manager jobs Remote project manager jobs Remote recruiter jobs Remote sales jobs Remote software engineer jobs Jobs by Type Remote full-time jobs Remote part-time jobs Remote contract jobs Remote internship jobs Remote entry-level jobs Remote jobs with no experience required Remote junior jobs (1-3 years of experience) Digital nomad jobs Remote jobs with no degree required Freelance remote jobs Temporary remote jobs Remote jobs hiring now Stay at home mom jobs

ATS Keywords

✓ Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools

Hardware-Accelerated Video ProgrammingVideo Acceleration APIsModern Codec StandardsPerformance ProfilingLow-Level GPU Programming

Soft Skills

Strong Problem-Solving SkillsEffective Communication SkillsCollaboration Skills

Certifications

Ph.D. in Computer SciencePh.D. in Electrical Engineering