Senior Software Engineer - Search & Recommendations

About Roku and the Team

Roku leads the TV streaming industry across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, aiming to become the global standard for TV streaming. The company connects audiences with their favorite content, assists publishers in monetizing content, and offers advertisers unique engagement opportunities. The Search & Recommendations team is a vital part of Roku's browse and discovery platform, supporting The Roku Channel's delivery of diverse free and premium entertainment to millions worldwide.

Role Overview

We seek a Senior Software Engineer specialized in Search & Recommendations to develop and scale services powering Roku’s browse and discovery infrastructure. You will collaborate closely with product teams to iterate swiftly from feature concept through prototypes, A/B testing, to broad user rollout. This role values curiosity, a global perspective aligned with local execution, and adaptability to shifting business needs. Early-stage challenges await in helping transform the future of TV streaming.

Use of AI at Roku

Roku integrates AI agents that handle much of the low-level coding, where engineers act as technical leads by architecting solutions, reviewing changes, debugging, and upholding quality standards. Familiarity with agentic engineering toolchains such as Claude Code, Cursor, MCP servers, custom skills, or agent frameworks is essential, along with proven experience guiding AI-generated code from creation to production.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement large-scale platform products and services utilized internally across Roku and externally by millions of consumers.
• Work in partnership with Product and Design to evolve software from initial ideas to production-ready deployments with ongoing support.
• Lead assessment and adoption of new technologies and advocate best practices throughout the software development lifecycle, including peer code and design reviews.
• Manage multiple project priorities, set deadlines, and ensure timely delivery of features.
• Engage fully in Agile methodologies encompassing scoping, design, coding, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Leverage AI-based developer tools to accelerate workflows and boost engineering efficiency.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proficient software development skills in Java; Python experience is advantageous.
• Strong background building large-scale cloud-based services, preferably on AWS.
• Expertise selecting appropriate data stores and evaluating associated trade-offs.
• Experience working with in-memory caching solutions such as Redis, Redis Cluster, Memcached, or comparable technologies.
• Proven ability to monitor deployment quality and troubleshoot issues in production environments.
• Deep understanding of complete web architecture, from end-user devices through backend services and data centers.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Demonstrated fluency with agentic engineering toolchains and related AI-based development tools, with examples of accelerated project delivery using these technologies.
• Skilled in managing AI agents, validating their outputs, and onboarding unfamiliar codebases assisted by such agents.

Work Arrangement and Culture

Roku encourages a collaborative culture in which teams work onsite Monday through Thursday, with flexibility for remote work on Fridays unless role or location demands otherwise. The company values talented, ego-free team members who thrive in a fast-paced environment focused on collective success, pragmatic innovation, and humor.

Benefits and Accommodations

Roku offers a comprehensive benefits package including mental health and financial wellness resources globally, and location-specific healthcare, life insurance, disability, commuter perks, and retirement options. Employees receive personal leave consistent with local policies to support evolving life needs. Reasonable accommodations are available throughout the hiring process.