Roku→
Software Engineer Intern, Streaming Media at Roku in San Jose, CA
Skills
Job Description
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.
Build the future of streaming with real ownership
Join Roku’s MediaPlayer team as a Software Engineer Intern, where you will work at the intersection of embedded systems and digital media. During this paid 12-week internship starting in Summer 2026, you will contribute to the core component of RokuOS that handles video and audio streaming. You’ll be assigned a high-impact project designed to enhance the media playback engine optimizing playback performance, or improving the reliability of our media stack across millions of devices.
Why this program stands out
- High-impact work, not side projects. You’ll be matched to a scoped, production-grade project aligned to real business outcomes.
- Clear success metrics. Define and track KPIs with your team, so progress and value are obvious from day one.
- Senior mentorship. A dedicated senior engineer supervises your journey and gives you direct, actionable feedback.
- Velocity + autonomy. Expect rapid iteration, ownership of decisions, and a culture that favors building over bureaucracy.
- Tech breadth + depth. Exposure to Core OS, Cloud Infrastructure, Advertising Technology, Platform Portability, Advanced Development, and ML—with opportunities to go deep where you’re strongest.
- Global collaboration. Partner with experts across the US and internationally (including Cambridge) on cross-functional initiatives.
What you’ll be doing
- Own a project within the MediaPlayer stack; examples include implementing new media features, optimizing for media playback KPIs, or enhancing support for modern streaming protocols and codecs.
- Develop high-performance C++ code on Linux-based systems to improve the efficiency and stability of the core media pipeline.
- Use advanced debugging and analysis tools to reproduce, isolate, and fix complex playback issues across various hardware profiles.
- Collaborate with senior engineers across firmware and platform teams to innovate on the next generation of media features that delight Roku users
You’ll thrive here if you have
- Education & Experience: Pursuing an MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related technical field; prior internship experience preferred.
- Technical Fundamentals: Strong command of data structures, algorithms, Object-Oriented Design (OOD), and systems design.
- Systems Programming: Practical expertise in C++, Python, and Bash, with a focus on developing and debugging within Linux-based embedded systems.
- Linux Expertise: Deep understanding of Linux kernel concepts, multi-threading, standard Linux tools/libraries, and the open-source development ecosystem.
- AI Productivity: Proficient in leveraging generative AI tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, OpenAI) to streamline development workflows and optimize code efficiency.
- Cloud & Emerging Tech: Exposure to Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP), Machine Learning, SDK/API design, and comprehensive integration testing. Familiarity with streaming technologies (HLS, MPEG-DASH), compression formats, video/audio codecs, and tools like FFmpeg is a plus
Program details
- Duration: 12 weeks, Summer 2026
- Locations: Boston, San Jose, New York, Austin (on-site expectations vary by team)
- Project matching: Based on your skills, interests, and team needs—clearly defined, challenging to complete, and easy to start.
- Career visibility: Understand what full-time life at Roku looks like through mentorship, collaboration, and showcasing your outcomes to engineering leaders and peers.
How to apply
- Submit your resume and a brief note on the impact you want to make this summer. Include links to GitHub, portfolio, publications, or notable projects.
- Highlight the systems you’ve built, the decisions you owned, and the measurable outcomes you drove.
Ready to build at streaming scale? Let’s talk.
#LI-GW1
Our Hybrid Work Approach
Roku fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment where teams work in the office Monday through Thursday. Fridays are flexible for remote work except for employees whose roles are required to be in the office five days a week or employees who are in offices with a five day in office policy.
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). Our employees can take time off work for vacation and other personal reasons to balance 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.
The Roku 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.
By providing your information, you acknowledge that you want Roku to contact you about job roles, that you have read Roku's Applicant Privacy Notice, and understand that Roku will use your information as described in that notice. If you do not wish to receive any communications from Roku regarding this role or similar roles in the future, you may unsubscribe at any time by emailing WorkforcePrivacy@Roku.com.