Senior Software Engineer - Backend and Data

Teamwork makes the stream work.

Roku is changing how the world watches TV

Roku is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and we've set our sights on powering every television in the world. Roku pioneered streaming to the TV. Our mission is to be the TV streaming platform that connects the entire TV ecosystem. We connect consumers to the content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers unique capabilities to engage consumers.

From your first day at Roku, you'll make a valuable - and valued - contribution. We're a fast-growing public company where no one is a bystander. We offer you the opportunity to delight millions of TV streamers around the world while gaining meaningful experience across a variety of disciplines.

What does the team work on?

Roku pioneered TV streaming and continues to innovate and lead the industry. Continued success relies on investing in the Roku Content Platform, so we deliver high quality streaming TV experience at a global scale. As part of our Content Platform team you join a small group of highly skilled engineers, that own significant responsibility in crafting, developing and maintaining our large-scale backend systems, data pipelines, storage, and processing services. We provide all insights in regard to all content on Roku Devices.

What is the role?

We are looking for a Senior Software Engineer with vast experience in backend development, Data Engineering and Data Analytics to focus on building next level content platform and data intelligence, which empowers Search, Recommendation, and many more critical systems across Roku Platform. You will work closely with the product management team, content data platform services, and other internal consumer teams to contribute extensively to our content data platform and underlying architecture. Your work will include building low-latency and optimized streaming and batch data pipelines to enable downstream services, as well as designing and supporting microservices-based event-driven backend systems and data platforms. Your projects will have a direct impact on millions of Roku users globally, and you will participate in architecture discussions, influence product roadmap, and take ownership over new projects. This is an excellent role for a senior professional who thrives on having a critical business impact, is able to make key decisions, and is excited to work on a core data platform component which is crucial for many streaming components at Roku.

How will I use AI at Roku? 

At Roku, we don’t just use AI, we work with it. AI agents and smart tools help power drafts, analysis, and repetitive workflows, while our people bring direction, judgment, and accountability. We’re looking for curious, adaptable builders who can show how they’ve used AI or automation to move faster, raise the bar, and scale their impact. 

We value your AI skills if have built fluency across the agentic engineering toolchain — coding harnesses like Claude Code or Cursor, MCP servers, custom skills, or agent frameworks. And you can describe projects where you shipped real work with these tools. You know how to drive an agent, verify its output, and ramp on an unfamiliar codebase with an agent helping you.  

What are the responsibilities of the role?

• Work closely with the product management team, content data platform services, and other internal consumer teams to contribute extensively to our content data platform and underlying architecture
• Build low-latency and optimized streaming and batch data pipelines to enable downstream services
• Build and support microservices-based event-driven backend systems and data platforms
• Design and build data pipelines for batch, near-real-time, and real-time processing
• Participate in architecture discussions, influence product roadmap, and take ownership and responsibility over new projects

What experience would help someone be successful in this role at Roku?

• 8+ years of professional experience as a Software Engineer
• Proficiency in Java, Scala, or Python
• Deep understanding of backend technologies, architecture patterns, and best practices, including microservices, RESTful APIs, message queues, caching, and databases
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, data structures and algorithms, with the ability to translate complex technical requirements into scalable and efficient solutions
• Experience with microservice and event-driven architectures
• Experience with Apache Spark and Apache Flink
• Experience with Big Data frameworks and tools such as MapReduce, Hive, Presto, HDFS, YARN, and Kafka
• Experience with Apache Airflow or similar workflow orchestration tooling for ETL
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS (preferred), GCP, or similar
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science; Master's degree in Computer Science preferred
• You have built fluency across the agentic engineering toolchain — coding harnesses like Claude Code or Cursor, MCP servers, custom skills, or agent frameworks. And you can describe projects where you shipped real work with these tools. You know how to drive an agent, verify its output, and ramp on an unfamiliar codebase with an agent helping you

What's Roku's approach to hybrid working?

Roku fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment where teams generally work in the office Monday through Thursday. Fridays are generally flexible for remote work, except for employees whose specific roles or assigned office location require five days' a week attendance.

What are some of the benefits?

Roku is committed to offering a diverse range of benefits as part of our compensation package to support our employees and their families. Our comprehensive benefits include global access to mental health and financial wellness support and resources. Local benefits include statutory and voluntary benefits which may include healthcare (medical, dental, and vision), life, accident, disability, commuter, and retirement options (401(k)/pension). Employees are supported in taking time off, in accordance with local leave policies and other personal needs to support their evolving work and life needs. It's important to note that not every benefit is available in all locations or for every role. For details specific to your location, please consult with your recruiter.

Accommodations

Roku welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and provides reasonable accommodations and adjustments in accordance with applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation at any point in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to EmployeeRelations@Roku.com.

What should I know about Roku's culture?

Roku is a great place for people who want to work in a fast-paced environment where everyone is focused on the company's success rather than their own. We try to surround ourselves with people who are great at their jobs, who are easy to work with, and who keep their egos in check. We appreciate a sense of humor. We believe a fewer number of very talented folks can do more for less cost than a larger number of less talented teams. We're independent thinkers with big ideas who act boldly, move fast and accomplish extraordinary things through collaboration and trust. In short, at Roku you'll be part of a company that's changing how the world watches TV. 

We have a unique culture that we are proud of. We think of ourselves primarily as problem-solvers, which itself is a two-part idea. We come up with the solution, but the solution isn't real until it is built and delivered to the customer. That penchant for action gives us a pragmatic approach to innovation, one that has served us well since 2002. 

To learn more about Roku, our global footprint, and how we've grown, visit https://www.weareroku.com/factsheet.

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