Principal Computer Vision Engineer - Football

Value Stream - Tracking & Auto Officiating

Join Our Team at Hawk-Eye Innovations

Location: Hybrid working – minimum 2 days per week in the office
Office locations: Budapest, Hungary

Hi, I’m James Sharam, Head of Computer Vision at Hawk-Eye Innovations. I’m looking for a Principal Computer Vision Engineer to join our team.

This is a high-impact role focused on leading the development of real-time skeletal, ball and game object tracking across multiple sports, including football. We’re looking for someone who can operate at both a deep technical level and a system-wide level, shaping how we design, build and scale our computer vision systems.

A strong background in mathematics and modelling is encouraged. If you enjoy solving complex problems, influencing technical direction, and seeing your work operate in live environments, I’d love to hear from you.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Principal Computer Vision Engineer to take ownership of complex, production-grade algorithmic systems and help drive the technical direction of our computer vision capabilities.

This role goes beyond implementation. It’s about setting technical standards, shaping architecture, guiding teams, and ensuring systems are robust, scalable and production-ready.

The role is strongly algorithm-focused, with an emphasis on accuracy, performance and system-level thinking, spanning modern C++, multi-camera geometry and distributed systems.

What You’ll Work On

• Leading the design and evolution of ball and player tracking algorithms using multi-camera systems

• Owning multi-view geometry solutions across entire tracking pipelines

• Driving improvements in occlusion handling, recovery and system robustness in live sports environments

• Overseeing mature computer vision systems used in real-time production

• Guiding performance optimisation across CPU and GPU workloads

• Ensuring consistency and reliability across cross-platform deployments

• Supporting integration into cloud-enabled and distributed systems

• Influencing how systems are designed, built and scaled across the organisation

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of computer vision systems from concept through to production at a system level

• Set technical direction and standards across algorithmic and engineering approaches

• Own critical components and ensure long-term maintainability, scalability and quality

• Work closely with discipline leads and engineers across CV, tracking, tooling and platform teams

• Drive architectural discussions around performance, scalability and deployment

• Identify limitations in existing systems and lead pragmatic improvements

• Mentor and support engineers through technical guidance, reviews and collaboration

• Act as a technical escalation point for complex challenges

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

We’re looking for someone with:

• Strong commercial experience developing computer vision algorithms in production environments

• Deep knowledge of modern C++, working within large and complex codebases

• Strong understanding of performance optimisation across CPU and GPU

• Solid experience with image processing, geometry and multi-camera systems

• Experience working on systems deployed in real-world production environments

• Ability to operate at both detailed algorithm level and high-level system design

• Strong debugging skills across complex systems

• Experience influencing technical direction or leading technical initiatives

Nice to Have (but not essential)

• Experience with CUDA or GPU acceleration

• Awareness of concurrency, networking or operating system concepts

• Experience working with cloud-based or distributed systems

• Exposure to machine learning techniques

Reward, Benefits and Wellness

UK Benefits

• 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)

• Enhanced pension scheme with 5% matching

• Hybrid working model

• Complimentary Unmind wellbeing app

• Onsite gym (Basingstoke)

• Sony Group Company discounts

Hungary Benefits

• Annual leave in line with local labour law

• Hybrid working model (2 days per week in the office)

• Access to sporting events and tickets

• Sony Group Company discounts

Cafeteria benefits include:

• SZÉP Card

• Nursery & Kindergarten contributions

• Annual MOL Bubi Pass

• Private medical insurance

• Life & accident insurance

• MindentMent Dental Clinic discounts

• Seniority awards

• Employee Assistance Program

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

As an active part of a culturally and socially diverse society, Sony Sports Technology is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce.

We employ, retain, promote and treat all employees and applicants fairly, based on skills, qualifications and professional experience. Our commitment is to provide a respectful and inclusive environment where people can contribute, develop and succeed.