Principal Audio/DSP Systems Engineer

Job Title

Principal Audio/DSP Systems Engineer

Role Summary

Lead development and deployment of compact audio AI models on DSP and NPU targets, spanning algorithm prototyping, quantization, profiling, and production deployment. Collaborate with RTL, ASIC, and product teams to validate simulation-to-RTL flows, optimize inference performance, and influence system architecture for hearable and automotive audio products.

Role involves customer engagement and occasional travel (~10%). Expected salary range for new hires: $200,000–$275,000.

Experience Level

Senior — 10+ years of relevant experience in audio/speech signal processing and deployment on DSP and/or NPU platforms.

Responsibilities

Primary duties focus on system architecture, deployment pipelines, low-level implementation, and cross-team validation.

• Architect and optimize end-to-end deployment pipelines for compact audio AI models: quantization, profiling, and production deployment on DSP/NPU targets.
• Define DSP/NPU partitioning strategies that balance workload allocation, memory bandwidth, latency, and power across SoC processing elements.
• Own simulation-to-RTL validation flows: develop bit-exact reference models, collaborate with RTL teams on functional verification, and close gaps between algorithmic intent and hardware behavior.
• Implement and optimize signal processing and neural network kernels for fixed-point DSP and NPU instruction sets to maximize utilization of MAC arrays, SIMD paths, and on-chip memory.
• Profile and optimize inference performance (cycles, memory footprint, power) under always-on and real-time constraints typical of hearable/wearable devices.
• Design and maintain model compression and quantization workflows (PTQ, QAT) with quality tracking versus floating-point baselines.
• Develop array processing, beamforming, and spatial filtering algorithms and transition prototypes (MATLAB/Python) to deployable fixed-point implementations.
• Contribute to audio ASIC system architecture definition and advise on hardware spec decisions (precision, buffer sizes, DMA structures, NPU configuration).
• Generate IP and represent technical capabilities to OEM customers; mentor engineers in deployment best practices and hardware-aware algorithm design.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and experience. Preferred items listed separately.

• 10+ years of hands-on audio/speech signal processing experience in a semiconductor environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in fixed-point algorithm implementation, model quantization (PTQ/QAT), and cycle-level optimization for resource-constrained processors.
• Strong working knowledge of simulation-to-RTL flows: bit-exact modeling, RTL co-simulation, and collaboration on functional verification.
• Proficiency in C (embedded/firmware level), Python, MATLAB, and deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow/TFLite, PyTorch/ONNX).
• Experience with low-level profiling tools, instruction set architectures, and memory optimization for embedded AI inference.
• Solid foundation in array signal processing, beamforming, and acoustic system design.

Preferred:

• Direct experience with NPU/accelerator architectures and their programming models.
• Familiarity with ASIC development cycles, tapeout, and silicon validation.
• Background in always-on, sub-mW audio processing for hearable, TWS, or wearable products.
• Track record of patents in audio signal processing or embedded ML; experience technically leading small engineering teams.

Education Requirements

PhD in Electrical Engineering, signal processing, or a related field is specified. Fields mentioned include electrical engineering and signal processing. No alternative-equivalent degree language or certifications were provided in the posting.

About the Company

Company: Analog Devices

Headquarters: Norwood, Massachusetts, USA

Analog Devices is a leading global semiconductor company that bridges the physical and digital worlds, enabling breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. With a focus on innovation, ADI develops solutions that drive advancements in digitized factories, mobility, and digital healthcare. The company employs around 24,000 people globally and reported revenues exceeding $9 billion in FY24, creating technologies that transform lives across various sectors.