Embedded Audio Engineer

Embedded Audio Engineer

Position: Embedded Audio Engineer
Department: Research and Development
Reporting to: Software Team Lead

Location: Northampton, UK

The Company
[Employer hidden] launched from Northampton, England in 2007 and has an award-winning R&D team of engineers. Driven by a passion for designing innovative amplification products that redefine players expectations, Blackstar today distributes products to over 50 countries worldwide and is a major international brand in the Musical Instrument and Audio markets.
Learn more about Blackstar

The Role
Purpose of the role:
• To develop Blackstar’s proprietary embedded software within our ever-expanding product range.
• Hold responsibility for Release firmware: from Design Brief to product release and beyond.
• Be part of the next-generation of audio products in an exciting team and dynamic industry.

Main Activities and Tasks:
• Design, develop and maintain embedded control systems.
• Assist in the implementation of new and evolving hardware platforms.
• Support in specifying new user-focused products for the Musical Instrument market.
• Build, test and release code for cutting-edge new products.
• Work within the Software Team to expand and improve our multi-platform software ecosystem.
• Collaborate with the wider team to peer review, bug fix, and generally improve the large Blackstar codebase.
• Devise, control and carry out pre-release test procedures for both hardware and software products.
• Integrate new peripheral subsystems (USB, SPI, I2C etc.).

Additional Desirable Activities Based on Applicant:
• Design, implement and optimise novel DSP algorithms on hardware products.
• Porting existing DSP algorithms between code bases and languages.
• Support with the development of desktop applications

The Person
Essential
• Proven knowledge and working experience with:
◦ Embedded C
◦ Git and the command line
◦ Hardware debugging using logic analysers, scopes etc.
◦ Writing technical documentation
• Some Combination of:
◦ Advanced DSP implementation and design for audio
◦ Professional experience with C++ and the JUCE framework
◦ Professional experience with embedded Linux systems
◦ Professional experience with real time audio
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a commercial software development environment
• Ability to produce clean, accurate and reusable code

Desirable
• Experience with:
◦ A fast prototyping language (MATLAB, Python, C# etc.)
◦ CI/CD
◦ Unit Testing
◦ Agile development practises and associated software (Jira, Confluence etc.)
◦ Plugin Architectures (AU, VST3, AAX, LV2).
• Guitar player or an active interest in music technology
• An understanding of:
◦ Audio and low-voltage control electronics
◦ PCB design
◦ The wider Musical Instruments industry
• Qualified to degree level or above in Computer Science or related field

Personality
• Strong team player.
• Excellent communication skills, both technical and personal.
• Enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude.
• Able to work to deadlines, with exceptional time management.
• Methodical approach, and able to work independently on large projects.
• We’re a small team in a small company; you should have a flexible approach to your role and be willing to assist in various departments and activities when required.

The Offer
• Primarily office-based in Northampton, UK, with some opportunity for hybrid working.
• Full time 8.00 – 17.00, Monday – Friday.
• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Excellent career progression and learning opportunities.
• Workplace pension.
• Private mental health support.

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