Role Overview

As a Senior Software Engineer on Discord's A/V Client team, you'll craft core libraries that deliver seamless experiences across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Using Rust, C++, and Typescript, you'll tackle performance challenges in a platform serving millions of concurrent users. This isn't about incremental tweaks—it's about designing systems that scale across diverse hardware, optimizing for milliseconds in real-time A/V, and collaborating to launch features that delight gamers everywhere.

Discord's mission is to make it easier and more fun for people to connect before, during, and after games. Your work will directly impact voice chat, video calls, screen sharing, and streaming for the world's largest gaming communities. Located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, this hybrid role (1 day/week in-office) comes with relocation support and competitive compensation starting at $196,000 base salary plus equity.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and implement core libraries in Rust and C++ that drive Discord's cross-platform client on desktop, mobile, and browser.
• Drive end-to-end performance optimizations ensuring buttery-smooth experiences on all platforms, from high-end PCs to budget mobiles.
• Design rigorous experiments with statistical success metrics to validate and quantify performance gains before rollout.
• Diagnose and fix intricate bugs involving multi-threading, memory leaks, and platform-specific quirks across diverse hardware.
• Partner with product managers, designers, and fellow engineers to ideate, prototype, and ship high-impact features rapidly.
• Leverage native APIs for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS to unlock platform-optimal performance.
• Profile CPU, GPU, and memory usage; identify bottlenecks and refactor critical paths for efficiency.
• Integrate real-time protocols like WebRTC, SRTP, and DTLS for secure, low-latency media transmission.
• Optimize audio/video codecs (Opus, H.264, AV1) using metrics like POLQA, PSNR, and VMAF for top-tier quality.
• Build scalable A/V systems handling millions of simultaneous streams without degradation.
• Contribute to open-source initiatives or internal tools advancing Discord's tech ecosystem.
• Mentor junior engineers on best practices in low-level programming and performance engineering.
• Stay ahead of industry trends in gaming tech, real-time comms, and cross-platform development.

Qualifications

To thrive as a Rust/C++ Senior Software Engineer at Discord, you need:

• 4+ years of experience in large-scale, cross-platform software development (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, consoles).
• Expert-level Rust or C++ skills, including advanced memory management, multi-threading, and low-level optimizations.
• Track record building apps where every millisecond counts, like games or real-time systems.
• Strong debugging prowess across varied hardware/OS combos.
• Bonus: Experiment design with stats; real-time media (A/V, streaming); WebRTC protocols; codec expertise; profiling mastery; open-source contributions.

Must be in or relocate to SF Bay Area (Alameda, Contra Costa, etc.) with 1 day/week onsite.

Salary & Benefits

The base salary for this full-time role is $196,000 - $220,500 USD, plus equity and comprehensive benefits. Total compensation factors in experience, skills, and location. Discord's perks include health/dental/vision, 401(k) match, unlimited PTO, relocation aid, hybrid flexibility, stocked offices, wellness stipends, parental leave, and more. Build wealth and impact at a company valued for its gaming innovation.

Why Join Discord?

Discord powers gaming's social layer for 200M+ users. Work on tech that unites friends in Fortnite lobbies, Valorant clutches, and post-game debriefs. Our A/V Client team solves hard problems: ultra-low latency voice over flaky networks, cross-device video sync, efficient streaming on mobiles. Enjoy SF Bay Area's tech scene, collaborative culture, and resources to grow. Past engineers have optimized global-scale systems—now it's your turn. With equity, you're invested in Discord's rocketship trajectory.

Gamers at heart, we prioritize fun: game rooms, LAN parties, esports support. Hybrid model balances office energy (1 day/week) with remote productivity. Relocate? We've got you. Join a team shipping weekly updates to millions.

How to Apply

Ready to level up? Submit your resume, GitHub/portfolio, and a note on your favorite Discord-powered gaming moment. Highlight Rust/C++ projects, perf wins, or A/V experiments. We review holistically—no agencies. Discord values diversity; all qualified applicants considered. Interviews: coding, system design, behavioral. Questions? careers@discord.com. Apply now—spots fill fast!