Audio Firmware Engineer

HarkSan Jose Embedded Software

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Opens the official Hark careers page

Salary

$120K - $300K USD

Job type

Full-time

Posted

9 May 2026

Status

Open · checked 7d ago

About this role

Hark is currently seeking an Audio Firmware Engineer to build and optimize embedded audio solutions in San Jose. This position suits an experienced engineering professional with a strong background in firmware and consumer hardware development.

Role Overview

The Audio Firmware Engineer will focus on developing and optimizing embedded audio solutions for Hark's next-generation artificial intelligence device. This position involves managing audio system bring-up, crafting DSP algorithms, and deploying advanced audio features for consumer hardware platforms. The chosen candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless interaction between hardware and software components.

Key Responsibilities

Execute audio processing stack bring-up on brand-new hardware and direct the implementation of the audio processing pipeline.

Troubleshoot intricate audio problems from end to end by analyzing platform logs, kernel data, and DSP traces.

Work alongside the artificial intelligence division to power audio-driven inference workloads like wake words and speech enhancement within strict memory, power, and latency limits.

Coordinate with hardware, acoustics, and product teams across the entire lifecycle from early prototypes to mass production.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in firmware or embedded audio development, particularly with mass-market consumer electronics.

Practical background in core Audio DSP algorithms such as acoustic echo cancellation, beamforming, noise reduction, automatic gain control, and voice activity detection.

Familiarity with post-processing pipelines covering audio mixing, routing, ducking, equalization, and sample rate conversion.

Advanced proficiency in C and C++ for resource-constrained, real-time computing environments.

Direct hands-on experience designing signal processing algorithms for speech and microphone arrays.

Nice to Have

Practical knowledge of the AudioReach framework and Hexagon DSP instruction set architecture.

Background in digital signal processor optimization, encompassing fixed-point development, SIMD, and VLIW.

Familiarity with board bring-up alongside hardware engineers and the ability to interpret schematics for audio subsystems.

Experience launching machine learning models on embedded platforms, specifically audio workloads on DSP or NPU units.

History of shipping far-field or voice-first audio hardware products.

Skills and Tools

C and C++ programming

Audio DSP algorithms (AEC, Beamforming, NR, AGC, VAD, DoA)

Post-processing pipelines (mixing, routing, ducking, EQ)

Real-time and resource-constrained environments

Speech and microphone-array signal processing

Salary and Benefits

The United States base salary range for this full-time role is $120,000 to $300,000 per year. Actual compensation varies depending on individual factors such as skills, knowledge, and relevant experience, with potential additional components available.

About the Company

Hark builds advanced, personalized artificial intelligence designed to be proactive, multimodal, and capable of operating through speech, text, vision, and persistent memory. The organization combines this technology with next-generation hardware to establish a unified interface between humans and machines.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should visit the official Hark careers page to submit an application for this position.

Skills and tech stack

C++

Questions candidates ask

What is the location of the Audio Firmware Engineer role?

The position is based in San Jose, California.

How much does the Audio Firmware Engineer position pay?

The annual US base salary range spans from $120,000 to $300,000, depending on factors like experience and skills.

How many years of experience are required?

Candidates must possess at least 5 years of professional firmware or embedded audio development experience.

What primary programming languages are required?

Proficiency in C and C++ within resource-constrained, real-time environments is required.

How should I apply for this job?

Applicants can apply directly through the official Hark company careers page.

Ready to apply?

The application is on the official Hark careers page.

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