Finding a C++ developer in 2025 is still a challenge. Especially when it comes not just to a programmer, but to an engineer who understands low-level code, can optimize for specific hardware and can easily navigate multithreading. Add to this the need for good soft skills and teamwork experience, and we'll get one of the most difficult roles on the market.
Customer request
We were approached by a product company that is developing a complex platform for processing video streams in real time. The team was looking for Middle+/Senior C++ Developer, which:
- He is confident in modern C++ (from C++14 and higher)
- Worked with multithreading, synchronization, memory management
- Understands the features low-latency systems
- Has experience with Linux, gdb, valgrind, CMake
- Can read someone else's code, delve into other people's libraries, refactor
- English level — from Intermediate (for reading documentation and basic correspondence)
- A bonus is knowledge of OpenCV, FFmpeg, CUDA or experience in video streaming
Difficulties encountered
- There are a lot of C++ game development or embedded developers on the market, but not everyone has experience with high-load systems and real-time processing.
- There is a lot of “old school” where candidates wrote in C++98 and did not work with modern standards.
- Some specialists are at a good level, but do not want to change their current stable position without good reason.
- The project has a technically interesting but niche specificity — it was important to present it to the market correctly.
Recruitment process
1. Preparation
We held a technical session with the client's team, clarified the tasks and the stack. We created a portrait: an engineer who speaks modern C++, knows how to optimize and understand someone else's code. We have prepared an adapted description of the role for different channels.
2. Search and funnel
We launched a spot search on LinkedIn, GitHub, specialized forums and Telegram channels. 120+ personal messages
- LinkedIn: by keywords (C++, low-latency, video, RTSP, FFmpeg), filtered by industry
- GitHub: We were looking for active contributors to libraries related to video and system programming
- Stack Overflow and Reddit: We were looking for experts who participate in discussions and write about performance
- Telegram channels: C++, backend, system programming
- Specialized forums and communities (cpp-developers, realtime-dev, lowlatency.io)
3. Accompaniment
- We highlighted key motivational triggers in the vacancy: complex engineering tasks, the impact on product performance, and the technical depth of the team
- We helped the candidate prepare for technical interviews, especially on architecture and optimization issues
- We had a short call with the client before the finals: what is the best way to show the “engineering” side of the team and not slide into a corporate party
The result of our work
From start to offer — 2 weeks.
Final candidate:
- 6 years of experience with C++, the last 2 in a video processing project
- Strong knowledge of modern C++ (17), STL, Boost
- Optimization experience for ARM and x86, low-level debugging, working with video buffers
- I wrote my own modules for FFmpeg, optimized latency in live-streaming
- Quiet, thoughtful communication, proactive, works well together with an architect
After 1.5 months of work:
- Optimized one of the critical modules: latency decreased by 22%
- Configured CI to build for multiple platforms (x86, ARM)
- He identified architectural debts in the code base and proposed a plan for modular refactoring
- I started maintaining documentation for internal libraries — not at all before
The client is satisfied not only with the quality of work, but also with the maturity of the approach. We are now helping them find a DevOps engineer to build CI/CD infrastructure and monitoring.
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