Sr. Staff Audio Engineer Job at Qualcomm in San Diego
Qualcomm, San Diego, CA, United States
Company
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering
General Summary
The Senior Staff Audio Engineer is a technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, and optimization of complex audio subsystems. This role defines the direction for audio technologies (voice, playback, record, streaming) and ensures seamless integration across hardware and software stacks. The engineer works independently, influences key technical decisions, and leads cross‑functional efforts to deliver high‑quality audio experiences for mobile, automotive, or IoT platforms.
Responsibilities
Technical Architecture & Strategy
System Architecture: Lead the definition and design of end‑to‑end audio architectures, including Audio Frameworks (Android/QNX), HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer), and kernel‑level drivers.
Feature Development: Drive the design of advanced audio features such as spatial audio, active noise cancellation (ANC), voice activation/UI, and low‑latency audio pipelines.
Performance Optimization: Analyze system performance to identify bottlenecks; optimize power consumption, latency, and memory usage for audio use cases.
Innovation: Propose and prototype new audio algorithms or system modifications to improve acoustic performance and machine perception capabilities.
Leadership & Execution
Technical Leadership: Serve as the primary technical interface for audio subsystems; lead design reviews and provide critical feedback to ensure design integrity.
Cross‑Functional Alignment: Collaborate with Hardware, System, and Test teams to align on requirements and resolve complex integration challenges (e.g., synchronizing audio with display/video).
Issue Resolution: Lead complex root cause analysis (RCA) for critical audio defects (e.g., distortion, drops, synchronization issues) and drive solutions across multiple layers of the stack.
Mentorship: Mentor senior and staff engineers on best practices, code reviews, and architectural patterns.
Process & Standards
Standards Compliance: Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., USB Audio, Bluetooth A2DP/LE Audio, Dolby/DTS certifications).
Documentation: Create detailed technical specifications, architecture documents, and API definitions; present technical strategies to senior leadership.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
3+ years of work experience with programming languages such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Preferred Qualifications
Languages: Expert proficiency in C/C++; familiarity with Java/Kotlin (for Android) or Python (for tooling/analysis).
OS/Kernel: Deep understanding of Linux/Android kernel audio drivers (ASoC), device tree configuration, and memory management (DMA, ION).
Audio Frameworks: Hands‑on experience with Android Audio Framework (AudioFlinger, AudioPolicyManager), Audio HAL (HIDL/AIDL), PulseAudio, PipeWire, or ALSA/TinyALSA.
DSP & Algorithms: Knowledge of audio signal processing (sample rates, formats, mixing, post‑processing effects) and DSP architecture (Hexagon/Qualcomm DSP experience is a plus).
Interfaces: Experience with standard audio interfaces (I2S, TDM, SLIMbus, SoundWire, USB, HDMI).
Debugging: Proficiency with debugging tools (JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes) and audio measurement tools (Audio Precision, HEAD acoustics).
Decision Making: Makes critical architectural decisions with significant impact on product roadmap and timelines.
Communication: Conveys complex technical information to non‑technical stakeholders and influences decision‑making at Director/VP levels.
Autonomy: Operates independently with minimal supervision; defines scope and drives tasks to completion in ambiguous environments.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities
Works independently with minimal supervision.
Provides supervision and guidance to other team members.
Makes decisions that significantly affect work beyond the immediate team.
Utilizes verbal and written communication skills; may require negotiation, influence, and tact.
Has moderate influence over key organizational decisions (e.g., consulted by senior leadership).
Performs tasks requiring multiple steps that may be completed in various orders; requires extensive planning, problem‑solving, and prioritization.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e‑mail disability‑accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll‑free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay Range And Other Compensation & Benefits
$162,600.00 - $244,000.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales‑incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: The Senior Staff Audio Engineer is a technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, and optimization of complex audio subsystems . This role defines the direction for audio technologies (voice, playback, record, streaming) The engineer works independently, influences key technical decisions, and leads cross‑functional efforts to deliver high‑quality audio experiences for mobile, automotive, or IoT platforms .
En Español: Compañía Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Grupo de Ingeniería del Área de Trabajo, grupo de ingeniería > Ingenieria de Software Resumen General El ingeniero de audio senior staff es una autoridad técnica responsable de la arquitectura, el diseño y la optimización de los subsistemas de audio complejos. Esta función define la dirección para las tecnologías de audio (voz, reproducción, grabación, transmisión) y asegura una integración perfecta entre las pilas de hardware y software. El ingeniero trabaja de forma independiente, influye en decisiones técnicas clave y dirige esfuerzos interfuncionales para ofrecer experiencias de audio de alta calidad para plataformas móviles, automotrices o IoT. Responsabilidades Arquitectura Técnica & Estrategia Arquitetura del sistema: Dirigir la definición y diseño de arquitecturas de sonido de extremo a extremo, incluidos los Frameworks de Audio (Android/QNX), HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) y controladores a nivel de núcleo. Desarrollo de características: impulsar el desarrollo de funciones auditivas avanzadas como audio espacial, cancelación del ruido activo (ANC), activación de voz / UI y tuberías de baja latencia. Optimización de rendimiento: analizar sistemas para identificar cuellos de energía; optimizar el consumo de memoria y casos de uso. Innovación de audio: Proposición de prototipos y nuevos algoritmos de audiohistórico o mejorar las capacidades de trabajo de los equipos técnicos relacionados con los programas informáticos e Ingeniería de software. Si usted es una persona con discapacidad y necesita un alojamiento durante el proceso de solicitud/contratación, asegúrese de que Qualcomm se compromete a proporcionar un proceso accesible. Puede enviar un correo electrónico a disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com o llamar al número gratuito de Qualcoms que se encuentra aquí. No responderemos aquí a las solicitudes de actualizaciones sobre aplicaciones o consultas para continuar). Empleador EEO: Qualcomm es un empleador con igualdad de oportunidades; todos los solicitantes calificados recibirán una consideración por empleo sin importar raza, color, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen nacional, discapacidad, estatus de veterano u otra clasificación protegida. Su reclutador estará encantado de discutir todo lo que Qualcomm tiene para ofrecer y puede revisar más detalles sobre nuestros beneficios en Estados Unidos en este enlace.
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering
General Summary
The Senior Staff Audio Engineer is a technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, and optimization of complex audio subsystems. This role defines the direction for audio technologies (voice, playback, record, streaming) and ensures seamless integration across hardware and software stacks. The engineer works independently, influences key technical decisions, and leads cross‑functional efforts to deliver high‑quality audio experiences for mobile, automotive, or IoT platforms.
Responsibilities
Technical Architecture & Strategy
System Architecture: Lead the definition and design of end‑to‑end audio architectures, including Audio Frameworks (Android/QNX), HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer), and kernel‑level drivers.
Feature Development: Drive the design of advanced audio features such as spatial audio, active noise cancellation (ANC), voice activation/UI, and low‑latency audio pipelines.
Performance Optimization: Analyze system performance to identify bottlenecks; optimize power consumption, latency, and memory usage for audio use cases.
Innovation: Propose and prototype new audio algorithms or system modifications to improve acoustic performance and machine perception capabilities.
Leadership & Execution
Technical Leadership: Serve as the primary technical interface for audio subsystems; lead design reviews and provide critical feedback to ensure design integrity.
Cross‑Functional Alignment: Collaborate with Hardware, System, and Test teams to align on requirements and resolve complex integration challenges (e.g., synchronizing audio with display/video).
Issue Resolution: Lead complex root cause analysis (RCA) for critical audio defects (e.g., distortion, drops, synchronization issues) and drive solutions across multiple layers of the stack.
Mentorship: Mentor senior and staff engineers on best practices, code reviews, and architectural patterns.
Process & Standards
Standards Compliance: Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., USB Audio, Bluetooth A2DP/LE Audio, Dolby/DTS certifications).
Documentation: Create detailed technical specifications, architecture documents, and API definitions; present technical strategies to senior leadership.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
3+ years of work experience with programming languages such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Preferred Qualifications
Languages: Expert proficiency in C/C++; familiarity with Java/Kotlin (for Android) or Python (for tooling/analysis).
OS/Kernel: Deep understanding of Linux/Android kernel audio drivers (ASoC), device tree configuration, and memory management (DMA, ION).
Audio Frameworks: Hands‑on experience with Android Audio Framework (AudioFlinger, AudioPolicyManager), Audio HAL (HIDL/AIDL), PulseAudio, PipeWire, or ALSA/TinyALSA.
DSP & Algorithms: Knowledge of audio signal processing (sample rates, formats, mixing, post‑processing effects) and DSP architecture (Hexagon/Qualcomm DSP experience is a plus).
Interfaces: Experience with standard audio interfaces (I2S, TDM, SLIMbus, SoundWire, USB, HDMI).
Debugging: Proficiency with debugging tools (JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes) and audio measurement tools (Audio Precision, HEAD acoustics).
Decision Making: Makes critical architectural decisions with significant impact on product roadmap and timelines.
Communication: Conveys complex technical information to non‑technical stakeholders and influences decision‑making at Director/VP levels.
Autonomy: Operates independently with minimal supervision; defines scope and drives tasks to completion in ambiguous environments.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities
Works independently with minimal supervision.
Provides supervision and guidance to other team members.
Makes decisions that significantly affect work beyond the immediate team.
Utilizes verbal and written communication skills; may require negotiation, influence, and tact.
Has moderate influence over key organizational decisions (e.g., consulted by senior leadership).
Performs tasks requiring multiple steps that may be completed in various orders; requires extensive planning, problem‑solving, and prioritization.
Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e‑mail disability‑accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll‑free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay Range And Other Compensation & Benefits
$162,600.00 - $244,000.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales‑incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer – and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
In Summary: The Senior Staff Audio Engineer is a technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, and optimization of complex audio subsystems . This role defines the direction for audio technologies (voice, playback, record, streaming) The engineer works independently, influences key technical decisions, and leads cross‑functional efforts to deliver high‑quality audio experiences for mobile, automotive, or IoT platforms .
En Español: Compañía Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Grupo de Ingeniería del Área de Trabajo, grupo de ingeniería > Ingenieria de Software Resumen General El ingeniero de audio senior staff es una autoridad técnica responsable de la arquitectura, el diseño y la optimización de los subsistemas de audio complejos. Esta función define la dirección para las tecnologías de audio (voz, reproducción, grabación, transmisión) y asegura una integración perfecta entre las pilas de hardware y software. El ingeniero trabaja de forma independiente, influye en decisiones técnicas clave y dirige esfuerzos interfuncionales para ofrecer experiencias de audio de alta calidad para plataformas móviles, automotrices o IoT. Responsabilidades Arquitectura Técnica & Estrategia Arquitetura del sistema: Dirigir la definición y diseño de arquitecturas de sonido de extremo a extremo, incluidos los Frameworks de Audio (Android/QNX), HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer) y controladores a nivel de núcleo. Desarrollo de características: impulsar el desarrollo de funciones auditivas avanzadas como audio espacial, cancelación del ruido activo (ANC), activación de voz / UI y tuberías de baja latencia. Optimización de rendimiento: analizar sistemas para identificar cuellos de energía; optimizar el consumo de memoria y casos de uso. Innovación de audio: Proposición de prototipos y nuevos algoritmos de audiohistórico o mejorar las capacidades de trabajo de los equipos técnicos relacionados con los programas informáticos e Ingeniería de software. Si usted es una persona con discapacidad y necesita un alojamiento durante el proceso de solicitud/contratación, asegúrese de que Qualcomm se compromete a proporcionar un proceso accesible. Puede enviar un correo electrónico a disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com o llamar al número gratuito de Qualcoms que se encuentra aquí. No responderemos aquí a las solicitudes de actualizaciones sobre aplicaciones o consultas para continuar). Empleador EEO: Qualcomm es un empleador con igualdad de oportunidades; todos los solicitantes calificados recibirán una consideración por empleo sin importar raza, color, religión, sexo, orientación sexual, identidad de género, origen nacional, discapacidad, estatus de veterano u otra clasificación protegida. Su reclutador estará encantado de discutir todo lo que Qualcomm tiene para ofrecer y puede revisar más detalles sobre nuestros beneficios en Estados Unidos en este enlace.