C++ Developer / Tech Lead (Image Processing)

Remote from: Europe
Annual salary: Undisclosed
Salary information is not provided for this position. Check our Salary Directory to estimate the average compensation for similar roles.
Department: Software Engineering
Employment type: Full Time,
Job posted: 16 Jun 2026
Apply before: 16 Jul 2026
Experience level: Senior
Views / Applies: 131 / 22

Great Photography Differently.

Computer Software
2008

AI Summary

This is a senior C++ Developer/Tech Lead role focused on image processing algorithms for a leading photo-editing software company. The position involves designing and implementing high-performance, cross-platform C++ core libraries for desktop, mobile, and web. Candidates must have deep expertise in modern C++ (C++17/20), multithreading, and performance optimization, with the potential to lead technical initiatives. The company offers a flexible, remote-friendly environment with a strong emphasis on personal growth and teamwork. Skylum is a Ukrainian company supporting Ukraine, and the role is ideal for engineers with a product mindset and architectural thinking.

Role DNA

Job Complexity

Easy Hard

Pace & Pressure

Relaxed Fast-paced

Autonomy Level

Guided Full Ownership

Communication Load

Independent Highly Collaborative

AI Insight The role requires 5+ years of C++ experience, mastery of modern C++ paradigms, multithreading, and performance optimization, plus potential leadership of small teams, making it highly challenging.

Salary Analysis

AI Insight The offered salary is not specified, but based on the seniority and technical requirements, the competitive US market range for this role is $100,000-$180,000. The median estimate of $140,000 is reasonable for a senior C++ developer with image processing expertise.

Key Skills

C++ Image Processing Multithreading Performance Optimization GPU Acceleration Cross-Platform Development Technical Leadership Computer Vision CMake STL

Cover Letter Sample

I am excited to apply for the C++ Developer / Tech Lead position at Skylum. With over 6 years of experience in C++ development, I have a strong background in designing high-performance algorithms for image processing and computer vision. My expertise in modern C++ (C++17/20), multithreading, and performance optimization aligns perfectly with the requirements for this role.

In my previous role, I led a team of three engineers in developing a cross-platform library that improved processing speed by 40%. I am adept at making trade-offs between quality, performance, and product impact, which I understand is crucial for your award-winning photo editing tools. I am also familiar with GPU acceleration using Vulkan and Metal, as well as ML inference frameworks like OpenVINO.

I am particularly drawn to Skylum's trust-based workflow and flexible environment. I thrive in collaborative settings where I can both contribute individually and lead technical initiatives. I am eager to bring my architectural thinking and product mindset to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing how I can help enhance Skylum's image processing capabilities.

Possible Interview Questions

Can you describe a complex image processing algorithm you implemented in C++ and how you optimized its performance?

I implemented a real-time noise reduction algorithm using a bilateral filter. To optimize performance, I used SIMD intrinsics and multithreading to process image tiles in parallel. I also reduced memory allocations by reusing buffers and using cache-friendly data structures, achieving a 3x speedup.

How do you handle memory management in a multithreaded C++ application to avoid race conditions and memory leaks?

I follow RAII principles and use smart pointers like std::shared_ptr and std::unique_ptr. For thread safety, I use mutexes, lock_guard, and atomic operations. I also leverage thread-local storage when possible to minimize contention and use std::async for task-based parallelism.

Describe a time when you led a technical initiative. How did you ensure the team delivered high-quality code on schedule?

I led a feature team to integrate GPU acceleration using Vulkan. I decomposed the task into milestones, assigned clear ownership, and held daily stand-ups. I enforced code reviews and unit tests, and used profiling to catch performance regressions early. We delivered two weeks early with a 50% performance improvement.

How do you approach cross-platform development in C++? Can you give an example of a challenge you faced?

I use CMake for build system and separate platform-specific code using preprocessor directives. One challenge was handling different memory alignment requirements on ARM vs x86. I solved it by using alignas specifier and conditional compilation with compiler macros.

In your opinion, what is the most important quality for a tech lead, and why?

The most important quality is the ability to balance technical excellence with product impact. A tech lead should choose solutions that are not only technically sound but also deliver value to users. This requires strong communication to align the team with the product vision and making pragmatic trade-offs.

Skylum empowers millions of photographers to create incredible images. Our award-winning photo editing software combines AI-powered automation with full creative control. We make editing enjoyable, easy, and accessible for everyone. You’ll join an environment where growth, learning, and creativity are encouraged. Flexible schedules, trust-based workflows, and a supportive team give you everything you need to focus on your best work.

🇺🇦 Proudly Ukrainian, Skylum stands with Ukraine through action, regularly supporting organizations that help accelerate our victory.

You will design and implement high-performance image processing algorithms that power intelligent photo-editing features. You will contribute to and evolve a cross-platform C++ core library used across desktop, mobile, and web platforms, ensuring scalability, performance, and maintainability. Depending on your level, you may also lead technical initiatives and drive architectural decisions within a small feature team.

Requirements:

5+ years of professional C++ development experience (C++17/C++20)
Strong understanding of modern C++ paradigms (RAII, move semantics, STL, templates)
Solid knowledge of multithreading, memory management, and performance optimization
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Ability to decompose complex tasks, define milestones, and estimate development effort
Effective communication and teamwork skills
Strong architectural thinking and ability to design scalable, maintainable cross-platform solutions
Ability to define technical direction and drive implementation from design to delivery
Product mindset: ability to not only build things right, but build the right things — making thoughtful trade-offs between quality, performance, and product impact

Nice to have:

Proven ability to lead technical initiatives or features involving 2–3 engineers
Experience with graphics APIs (Vulkan, Metal)
Experience with GPU acceleration or compute shaders
Familiarity with ML inference frameworks (OpenVINO, DirectML, CoreML, ONNX Runtime)
Background in computer vision, image or video processing
Experience working in performance-constrained or embedded environments
Experience with cross-platform build systems (CMake)

Responsibilities:

You will design and implement high-performance image processing algorithms that power intelligent photo-editing features.
You will contribute to and evolve a cross-platform C++ core library used across desktop, mobile, and web platforms, ensuring scalability, performance, and maintainability.
Depending on your level, you may also lead technical initiatives and drive architectural decisions within a small feature team.

What we offer

For personal growth:

A chance to work with a strong team and a unique opportunity to make substantial contributions to our award-winning photo editing tools;
An educational allowance to ensure that your skills stay sharp;
English, German and Polish classes to strengthen your capabilities and widen your knowledge.

For comfort:

A great environment where you’ll work with true professionals and amazing colleagues whom you’ll call friends quickly;
The choice of working remotely or in our office space located on Podil, equipped with everything you might need for productive and comfortable work.

For health: