Consultant - Video Codec

Lumenci is seeking a Video Codec Engineer / Consultant to lead high-impact work at the intersection of video compression technology and IP litigation. This role is ideal for engineers with hands-on experience in modern video codecs (AV1, HEVC/H.265, VVC, H.264/AVC) and a strong foundation in video compression, rate–distortion optimization, and HDR workflows who are excited to apply their expertise in complex legal and strategic environments.

About Lumenci

Founded in 2018, Lumenci is a premier intellectual property consulting firm specializing in patent litigation, expert witness testimony, and patent monetization for leading corporations and global law firms operating across the software, telecommunications, semiconductor, and emerging technology sectors.

A key part of Lumenci’s model is the integration of deep technical expertise with litigation strategy. Our teams support high-stakes disputes by developing technical narratives, performing rigorous analysis, and partnering with world-class expert witnesses whose testimony shapes case outcomes in courts and arbitration forums worldwide.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Gurugram, India, Lumenci delivers end-to-end support spanning technical analysis, expert strategy, valuation, and monetization execution. Our differentiated approach, which includes combining engineering depth, litigation experience, and operational rigor, has resulted in long-term partnerships with leading law firms and technology companies navigating complex IP disputes.Lumenci is backed by VSS Capital Partners (“VSS”) and Century Equity Partners (“CEP”). VSS is a private equity firm dedicated to investing in tech-enabled business services, healthcare and education companies. Since 1987, VSS has managed eight private capital funds with aggregate committed capital of nearly $4 billion across 103 platform companies and over 600 add-on acquisitions.

VSS’s investment in Lumenci was from VSS Structured Capital IV, L.P. (“VSS SC IV”), a $530 million fund which had its final closing in December 2022. CEP is a private equity firm headquartered in Boston, MA, that partners with companies seeking investments to support growth or fund acquisitions, partial buyout or recapitalization opportunities.

How We Work at Lumenci

Solve for the Customer: Lumenci is a customer-first company, focused on creating long-term relationships with our clients. Customers include internal employees and candidates who are part of the recruitment process.

Quality, Ownership, and Accountability: We are passionate about results and take full ownership of our work. We are performance-oriented and driven by excellence.

Collaboration: We encourage collaboration over competition, work in small teams, and believe that teams do better than individuals.

Growth Mindset: We are adaptable to the changing requirements and needs of a dynamic high-growth company and encourage each other to take diverse initiatives and develop new competencies.

Role Type and Work Arrangement

• Employment Type: Full-time, exempt

• Work Arrangement: Remote, US-based

• Location: Candidates may be located anywhere in the United States, subject to being legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

• This role may require approximately 40% domestic travel for client meetings, expert meetings, source code reviews, depositions/trials, and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Associate Consultants on client projects involving video compression and video delivery technologies.

• Own delivery of patent analysis and IP monetization research related to video codecs and video processing, including technology due diligence, claim charting/infringement analysis, prior art searching, market research, and target scouting.

• Analyze, reverse engineer, and test implementations of video codecs and related pipelines (e.g., AV1, HEVC, HDR workflows) using industry-standard tools and/or custom-built tools.

• Design and execute test benches to evaluate codec behavior, compression efficiency, rate–distortion performance, and standards compliance.

• Review specifications and reference software for video coding standards (e.g., AV1, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VVC) and map technical details to patent claims and accused products.

• Support Expert Witnesses and attorneys on IP litigation matters, including technical analysis for reports, source code review, and preparation for depositions, hearings, and trial.

• Establish and cultivate relationships with existing and prospective clients, and serve as a subject-matter advocate for Lumenci’s video/media technology capabilities.

• Identify and develop relationships with specialized labs or partners for video codec product testing and reverse engineering services.

• Collaborate with Lumenci’s product teams to advise on requirements, testing, and roadmap for technology platforms related to video analysis, reverse engineering, and IP analytics.

• Showcase thought leadership in video compression and IP (e.g., blogs, whitepapers, research summaries, internal training).

• Collaborate across the organization with in-person and distributed global teams; attend internal and external meetings, workshops, conferences, source code reviews, depositions, and trials as needed.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field.

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience working with modern video codecs in an R&D, engineering, standards, or video quality role (e.g., AV1, HEVC/H.265, VVC, VP9), including implementing, integrating, or optimizing codecs.

• Strong understanding of video compression fundamentals (e.g., motion estimation, transform coding, prediction, rate control, entropy coding) and HDR video concepts (e.g., PQ/HLG, color spaces, tone mapping).

• Experience reading and working from codec specifications or reference implementations for one or more standards (such as AV1, H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, VVC).

• Demonstrated proficiency in one or more relevant programming/scripting languages (e.g., C/C++, Python, MATLAB) for building tools, automating tests, or analyzing codec behavior.

• Ability to clearly explain complex technical topics in writing and verbally to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

• Approximately 40% domestic travel (for client meetings, expert meetings, source code reviews, depositions/trials, conferences).

• Work-from-home flexibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting IP litigation, licensing, standards‑essential patent work, or patent monetization related to video compression or media technologies.

• Familiarity with common tools and workflows for video quality assessment, bitstream analysis, and debugging (e.g., ffmpeg, VMAF/PSNR/SSIM workflows, codec test models).

• Experience interacting with standardization activities or patent pools related to video codecs (e.g., MPEG, AOMedia, patent pools for HEVC/AV1).

• Prior work with HDR pipelines (capture, processing, and display), color management, and media delivery (e.g., HLS/DASH).

Why you will love working for Lumenci:

• Be Part of a Global Team: Joining Lumenci means joining a diverse and globally distributed team. You'll collaborate with talented individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, bringing unique perspectives to every project.
• Growth and Development Opportunities: At Lumenci, we believe in recognizing and rewarding merit. We offer opportunities for merit-based promotions, allowing you to advance your career based on your performance, contributions, and dedication. We are committed to supporting your professional growth and development, providing the resources and mentorship needed to excel in your role and take on new challenges.

Benefits & Total Rewards

• Comprehensive Health & Well-being: We offer robust medical, dental, and vision insurance options that include significant company contributions toward employee premiums to support the health of our "Luminaries" and their families.
• Retirement Strategy: Lumenci provides a 401(k) program with a competitive employer-matching contribution, enabling employees to build long-term financial security.
• Performance-Based Incentives: Our total cash compensation includes a variable pay component designed to reward both individual achievements (KRAs) and overall company success.
• Time Off & Leaves: We prioritize work-life harmony through a balanced leave policy that includes accrued Paid Time Off (PTO), designated company holidays, and additional "floating" holidays for personal or cultural significance.
• Holistic Wellness Support: Beyond standard medical care, we provide dedicated Wellness Leave to address both physical health and emotional well-being, as well as paid leave for significant life events like bereavement and parental bonding.
• Culture of Autonomy & Growth: Employees benefit from a flexible, remote-first work environment that favors autonomy and provides structured support for ongoing professional development and career advancement.

Compensation & Pay Transparency

• The expected total annual compensation range for this role is $100,000–$150,000 USD, which may include base compensation and other eligible incentive components.

• Actual compensation will depend on skills, experience, and work location. For candidates in jurisdictions that require pay range disclosures, Lumenci will provide a good‑faith compensation range for the candidate’s location as part of the job posting or during the interview process, consistent with applicable law.

Salary History: In compliance with applicable laws, Lumenci does not request, require, or rely on an applicant’s prior salary history when determining a starting salary or during any part of the hiring process.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Lumenci is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Accommodations: If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application or participating in the interview process, please let your recruiter know.

Employment Relationship: Nothing in this job description creates or is intended to create a contract of employment for any specific period of time. Employment with Lumenci, if offered, is on an at-will basis and may be terminated by either the employee or Lumenci at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

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