Lead Software Engineer, AI

Storytelling is, and will always be, the heart of what we do at Skydance.

Our vision is to build a thriving entertainment ecosystem where stories and worlds are imagined, brought to life and experienced. We create for every age and audience, anchored by the strength of our content and experiences and the depth of our connection with fans. We are creator-first, audience-focused, tech-forward, globally scaled.

Here, you’ll work with talented teams that move fast, think boldly and collaborate with purpose to deliver results. We aim high, champion the best ideas and win together, earning the trust of our employees, creators, partners and audiences every day.

If you’re energized by the opportunity to help build the next-generation global media and entertainment company powered by creativity and technology, we’d be thrilled to welcome you aboard. LET’S GO!

Job Title: Lead Software Engineer, AI Tooling & Quality Engineering Platforms

Team: Global Quality Engineering (GQE)

Location: NY, Burbank (Onsite)

Role Type: IC

Overview

Paramount Skydance Corp. is seeking a Lead Software Engineer to architect, lead, and deliver enterprise-scale AI tooling and internal platforms that transform how Global Quality Engineering operates. This is not an "in test" role - you will be building foundational AI platforms, internal developer tools, and intelligent automation systems used across multiple brands and engineering pillars. You will define technical direction, lead complex initiatives, and build systems that accelerate automation, triage, and analysis at scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect large-scale AI platforms, RAG systems, and intelligent automation services that support GQE.

• Lead the design of internal developer tools, micro-platforms, and APIs that integrate AI into core engineering workflows.

• Build and maintain full stack systems - including React-based UIs - for internal developer tooling platforms.

• Build systems that automatically evaluate failures, classify flakiness, detect patterns, and recommend fixes.

• Partner with QE executive team to define long-term AI strategy and roadmap.

• Drive cross-functional alignment with Platform Engineering, Data Engineering, Playback/Video Engineering, and Product.

• Mentor engineers across GQE and elevate engineering maturity through best practices and architectural guidance.

• Evaluate and integrate emerging AI technologies - with a preference for Vertex AI and Gemini - that deliver measurable productivity and quality improvements.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of software engineering experience with deep backend and architectural expertise.

• Proven experience building and scaling production AI systems, including LLM integrations and RAG pipelines.

• Full stack capability - solid frontend proficiency with React or similar frameworks for internal tooling UIs.

• Deep systems thinking and ability to design platforms used across multiple teams and brands.

• Expertise in cloud platforms, distributed systems, and container orchestration (Kubernetes/Docker).

• Demonstrated executive team in technical strategy, platform design, and cross-functional influence.

• Exemplary communication skills and ability to drive alignment across engineering organizations.

Nice to Have

• Prior experience managing or mentoring engineers in addition to IC work.

• Hands-on experience with Vertex AI or Gemini platforms (or comparable ML platforms such as SageMaker or Azure ML).

• Background in QE, test automation, or quality engineering platforms.

• Experience in streaming, media tech, or video platform engineering.

• Experience building internal developer tooling or micro-platform ecosystems.

Paramount Streaming, a division within Paramount Global, is the home to the company's direct-to-consumer services spanning free and paid in the form of Pluto TV and Paramount+. Pluto TV is the global leader in free ad-supported TV, delivering more than 1,400 global channels and an extensive library of streaming content, including live and original channels. Paramount+, digital subscription video-on-demand and live streaming service, combines live sports, breaking news, and A Mountain of Entertainment™. Paramount+ features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including SHOWTIME®.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Hiring Salary Range: $156,800.00 - 235,200.00.

The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable, as otherwise dictated by the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement. This position is bonus eligible.

What We Offer:

• Attractive compensation and comprehensive benefits packages. Check out our full list of benefits here.
• Generous paid time off.
• Complimentary subscriptions to HBO Max, Paramount+, and other Skydance streaming services and digital news products.
• Robust employee engagement opportunities, including access to exclusive screenings and events, speaker series, volunteer activities and more.

Skydance is an equal opportunity employer (EOE)

We embrace the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit. In line with the laws of the country or region in which the role is based, this includes consideration without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, religion or belief, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or protected veteran status, union status or any other category protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation during the job application and/or recruitment process. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 212.846.5500 or by sending an email to [email protected]. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned.