Audio Engineer

BCforward; Redmond; On-site; AUD 157,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Major medical benefits

HSA

Dental

Vision

Employer-provided group life

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

401k

Job summary

BCforward is seeking an Audio Engineer for an onsite role in Redmond, WA. The focus is on render-path DSP tuning for AR glasses and speaker systems, with hands-on lab work and close collaboration with hardware, firmware, and research teams.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in audio engineering, strong MATLAB skills, and expertise with embedded audio DSP frameworks to deliver high-quality speaker performance in consumer devices.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in audio engineering or related field.
• Hands-on experience performing audio DSP tuning on speaker-based consumer devices.
• Strong understanding of audio DSP fundamentals including DRC, loudness, and distortion optimization.

Responsibilities

• Measure devices in controlled lab environments and establish baseline metrics.
• Develop and tune speaker render-path DSP profiles for AR/VR glasses or similar devices.
• Collaborate with hardware, firmware, and software teams to align audio targets with system requirements.
• Document tuning steps, test results, and versioned configurations.
• Troubleshoot performance issues with suppliers and internal teams.

Skills

Audio DSP tuning

MATLAB

Embedded audio

Lab measurements

Education

Bachelors in Engineering

Tools

Audio Precision APx

Listen SoundCheck

Job description

BCforward is currently seeking a highly motivated Audio Engineer for an onsite role at Redmond, WA

Position Title: Audio Engineer

Location: Redmond, WA-Onsite

Anticipated Start Date: ASAP

Please note this is the target date, and it is subject to change. BCforward will send official notice ahead of a confirmed start date.

Expected Duration: 12 Months

Job Type: Onsite

Pay Range: $80/hr.- $85/hr.

Please note that actual compensation may vary within this range due to factors such as location, experience, and job responsibilities, and does not encompass additional non-standard compensation (e.g., benefits, paid time off, per diem, etc.).

Job Summary:

We are looking for an experienced Audio Render Tuning Engineer to support an advanced research AR glasses audio program. This role focuses on render-path DSP tuning of speaker systems using embedded audio processing frameworks and tuning tools. The successful candidate will be hands‑on in the lab, working closely with audio, hardware, firmware, algorithms, and research teams to deliver a high‑quality speaker experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform speaker render-path DSP tuning for AR glasses using embedded audio DSP frameworks and MATLAB-based tuning tools.
• Design and apply equalization (EQ) filters, and tune dynamic range compression (DRC) and limiter parameters to optimize loudness, dynamics, sound quality, and distortion across media, voice, and speech use cases.
• Perform speaker characterization and baseline measurements, including frequency response, total harmonic distortion (THD), and impedance measurements in anechoic or controlled acoustic environments.
• Generate, compile, and validate audio tuning profiles for deployment to device firmware.
• Work closely with hardware, firmware, algorithms, mechanical, and research teams to align audio tuning with system‑level requirements.
• Conduct objective measurements and subjective listening evaluations to assess tuning performance.
• Troubleshoot audio performance issues with internal teams and external suppliers and identify opportunities to improve system performance.
• Maintain detailed tuning documentation, test reports, configuration records, and release information for each tuning iteration.
• Ramp up on embedded audio DSP frameworks, graphical pipeline editors, render tuning tools, and device‑control utilities.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of overall professional experience in audio engineering, audio systems engineering, DSP, acoustics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Hands‑on experience performing audio DSP tuning on speaker‑based consumer electronic devices. Candidates must have personally performed tuning rather than only tested or evaluated DSP algorithms.
• Strong understanding of audio DSP fundamentals, including:
• Dynamic Range Compression (DRC)
• Speaker protection
• Loudness and distortion optimization
• Experience applying and tuning existing audio algorithms on an audio system; algorithm development from scratch is not required.
• Hands‑on experience with electroacoustic measurement tools, such as Audio Precision (APx), Listen SoundCheck, HEAD acoustics ACQUA, or similar tools.
• Experience using MATLAB for audio signal processing, filter design, measurement analysis, or tuning workflows.
• Understanding of speaker protection techniques, including excursion limiting, thermal protection, and brownout protection.
• Strong attention to detail and a systematic approach to parameter optimization, testing, and documentation.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a broader audio engineering team.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Acoustics Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with AR/VR glasses, hearables, headphones, or other head‑worn audio devices.
• Experience with speaker integration and transducer‑level characterization, including T/S parameters, Klippel measurements, impedance, and excursion.
• Exposure to embedded audio middleware or DSP frameworks such as Audio Weaver, Qualcomm QACT, or similar platforms.
• Experience with volume table tuning and perceptual loudness optimization.
• Experience with firmware‑level audio bring‑up or ADSP integration workflows.
• Experience with capture‑path audio tuning, including:
• Beamforming
• Wind noise rejection
• Speech recognition testing
• Capture‑path gain staging
• Microphone array calibration

Target Background

Candidates with experience in the following industries are particularly relevant:

• AR/VR glasses
• Hearables and headphones
• Smart speakers

Experience at companies developing consumer audio, mobile, wearable, AR/VR, or embedded audio products is highly relevant.

Typical Day-to-Day

• Measure glasses or other audio devices in an anechoic chamber or controlled lab environment.
• Collect raw audio performance data and establish baseline measurements.
• Work with cross‑functional teams to define or receive audio performance targets.
• Develop or tune existing audio algorithms to optimize speaker output.
• Re‑measure devices and validate performance against defined targets.
• Conduct objective lab measurements and subjective listening tests.
• Work with suppliers to troubleshoot audio performance and understand system‑level trade‑offs.
• Collaborate regularly with audio software engineers, mechanical engineers, audio hardware engineers, firmware engineers, and vendor partners.
• Split time between hands‑on laboratory testing and engineering/development work.

This position is best suited for an Audio Systems Engineer / Audio DSP Engineer / Audio Tuning Engineer with hands‑on experience tuning speaker systems in consumer electronics.

Candidates coming primarily from music production, audio recording, mixing, mastering, or live sound may not be a fit unless they also have strong engineering education and hands‑on audio systems/DSP tuning experience.

The most important requirement is actual hands‑on speaker DSP tuning experience. Familiarity with EQ or DRC from music production alone is not sufficient.

Education

Bachelor's degree required in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Acoustics Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

BCforward offers all eligible employees a comprehensive benefits package including, but not limited to major medical, HSA, dental, vision, employer‑provided group life, voluntary life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and 401k.

About BCforward:

Founded in 1998 on the idea that industry leaders needed a professional service, and workforce management expert, to fuel the development and execution of core business and technology strategies, BCforward is a Black‑owned firm providing unique solutions supporting value capture and digital product delivery needs for organizations around the world. Headquartered in Indianapolis, IN with an Offshore Development Center in Hyderabad, India, BCforward’s 6,000 consultants support more than 225 clients globally.