Software Engineer, iOS

Location: London, United Kingdom

Department: Snap Product R&D

Employment Type: Full time

About Snap Inc

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.

About the Role

Snap Inc is a camera company at heart, believing the lens presents the greatest opportunity to improve how people live and communicate. We're empowering creativity through Snapchat, Lens Studio's AR platform, and Spectacles AR glasses. Join our Snap Product R&D team as a Software Engineer, iOS, working on the exciting Lens+ subscription service that unlocks premium AR lenses and creative tools for millions of users. You'll build cutting-edge iOS experiences that blend real-time camera innovation with seamless AR interactions, pushing mobile technology to new frontiers in a fun, collaborative environment. In this role, you'll design and ship high-performance Swift and Objective-C code that powers Snapchat's camera features, ensuring buttery-smooth AR rendering and subscription delights. Collaborate with designers to craft intuitive UIs for AR creation, optimize for low-power devices, and launch features that inspire users to express themselves in the moment. Your work will directly impact how people share ephemeral stories, discover the world through lenses, and have fun together, all while maintaining rock-solid stability at scale. We're seeking engineers with deep iOS expertise who thrive in Snap's creative culture, valuing diverse voices to drive AR innovation. Under our 'Default Together' policy, expect to be in-office 4+ days a week to spark dynamic collaboration. Snap is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, offering comprehensive benefits like paid parental leave, mental health support, and equity in our mission to advance human progress through camera technology.

What You'll Do

• Create and refine high-performance iOS apps that push the limits of mobile technology for Snapchat's Lens+ subscription
• Build fun, stable products that integrate seamlessly with Snapchat’s camera and AR experiences
• Design, architect, and implement well-tested Objective-C and Swift software powering AR lens features
• Conceptualize, develop, and launch innovative features enhancing user creativity and real-time communication
• Evaluate technical tradeoffs to balance performance, scalability, and maintainability in camera-centric apps
• Collaborate with Design team to optimize UI/UX for immersive AR interactions
• Conduct code reviews to ensure top-tier code quality and adherence to iOS best practices
• Optimize multithreading and performance for smooth AR rendering on mobile devices
• Debug and troubleshoot complex systems integrating camera hardware and AR software
• Mentor junior developers and contribute to cross-team discussions on AR innovation

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical work experience
• Experience developing iOS apps using Swift and Objective-C
• Strong knowledge of iOS frameworks including UIKit, Foundation, Core Animation, and Core Data
• Experience working on mobile subscription products
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams (product, design, backend)
• Proven experience shipping stable, high-performance iOS applications

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Computer Science or equivalent practical work experience
• Deep understanding of iOS performance optimization and low-power mobile systems
• Shipped and maintained large-scale, user-facing iOS applications with significant traffic
• Experience with AR development or camera technologies
• Familiarity with Lens Studio or Snapchat's AR ecosystem

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Proven understanding of Objective-C Runtime and iOS processes
• Knowledge of iOS OS internals, compilers, and low-power optimization
• Proficiency with multithreading and iOS performance techniques
• Strong CS fundamentals in algorithms and data structures
• Expertise in software design patterns and iOS best practices
• Ability to evaluate technical tradeoffs for performance and scalability
• Strong problem-solving and debugging skills for complex systems
• Experience with UIKit, Foundation, Core Animation, and Core Data
• Proactive collaboration and communication in cross-functional teams
• Mentoring capabilities for junior developers
• Familiarity with AR frameworks and camera APIs
• Passion for creative technologies enhancing human expression
• Analytical mindset for optimizing mobile AR experiences

Our Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Emotional and mental health support programs
• Competitive compensation packages with equity sharing in Snap’s long-term success
• Flexible PTO and wellness programs
• Onsite perks including meals, fitness facilities, and creative collaboration spaces
• Professional development opportunities in AR and camera technologies
• Inclusive community events fostering Snap's creative culture

"Default Together" Policy: At Snap Inc, we practice a "default together" approach and expect team members to work in an office 4+ days per week.

Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.