Software Engineer in Test (Android Playback)

Quick Facts

• Role: Software Engineer in Test (Android Playback)

• Team focus: Netflix Android app playback quality (outside the UI)

Description

Own the Android Player test strategy for the Netflix Android app, ensuring playback works reliably across thousands of Android devices. Build and scale automation frameworks, tooling, and infrastructure to deepen coverage for live events and ad-supported viewing while keeping the shared device lab fast and trustworthy. Use data to place tests at the right layers, drive down flakiness and runtime, and help gate merges/releases for weekly shipping.

Responsibilities

• Own the Android Player test strategy across unit, integration, and end-to-end layers, including quality gates for pull requests and releases.

• Build automation frameworks, tooling, and infrastructure to enable scalable test coverage.

• Grow automated coverage for live events and ad-supported playback, where field defects carry the most risk.

• Manage the shared device lab as a finite resource with deliberate device coverage choices.

• Reduce test flakiness and runtime; retire tests that no longer change decisions.

• Support release readiness and live event readiness, including participation in an on-call rotation behind live gating.

• Raise the quality bar through code review, mentorship, and influencing testability practices.

Requirements

• Deep experience ensuring the quality of consumer Android applications at scale.

• Real depth in Kotlin, Java, and the Android SDK.

• Engineering ability to build test frameworks, harnesses, and CI tooling from the ground up.

• Ability to test at every layer (unit, Robolectric, integration, screenshot, on-device) and judge where each test belongs.

• Knowledge of audio/video streaming and playback fundamentals (adaptive streaming, DRM, codecs, hardware/software decode) and player frameworks such as ExoPlayer.

• First-hand understanding of the Android device ecosystem (SoCs, OEM hardware capabilities) and proving consistent playback across many generations and price points.

• Experience applying AI tooling in testing (generate tests, triage failures, analyze flakiness, close coverage gaps).

• Comfort defining what should be automated vs manual with data and judgment.

• Systems thinking across client, network, and backend interactions for emergent playback failures.

• Clear communication and collaboration with UI, iOS/TV Player engineers, product managers, and data science partners.

Benefits

• Strong parental leave policy and family forming benefits.

• Compensation is annual salary (no bonuses); choose between salary and stock options each year.

• Comprehensive benefits: Health Plans, Mental Health support, 401(k) with employer match, Stock Option Program, Disability programs, HSA/FSA, family-forming benefits, Life and Serious Injury Benefits.

• Paid leave programs and paid time off (hourly: 35 days annually; salaried: flexible time off).

• Meaningful interview experience with accommodation support if needed.