Senior Embedded Linux Developer (Audio Platforms)

PML Sound International; New Brunswick; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A premium audio technology company in Canada is seeking a Senior Embedded Linux Developer to optimize Linux foundations for next-gen streaming audio products. This hands-on role involves working directly with System Architects and managing the audio subsystem integration. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of experience in Embedded Linux development, particularly within the audio/video domain, and will be involved in complex debugging and hardware validation. Candidates passionate about innovation and performance are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Embedded Linux development experience focusing on Audio/Video products.
• Expert knowledge of ALSA System-on-Chip (ASoC) and debugging DAI links.
• Strong experience with GStreamer and/or Pipewire for multimedia frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and optimize the Yocto-based Linux distribution.
• Integrate vendor SDKs with custom codebases.
• Collaborate with Electrical Engineers for hardware bring-up.

Skills

Embedded Linux development

Audio/Video products

Yocto Project

GStreamer

Pipewire

C programming

Tools

Logic Analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Job description

For over forty years our companies, industry-leading manufacturers and distributors of high-quality, luxury consumer audio products, have set the standard for excellence in every product category we offer. We continuously push the boundaries of design and quality with a constant focus on providing high-performance solutions and value.

In our Ottawa design center, we create a wide range of products, including Home Theater Receivers, Audio and Video Processors, Single- Stereo- and Multichannel Amplifiers, Sound Distribution Systems and subwoofer pre‑amplifiers and amplifiers sold under Anthem, Paradigm and MartinLogan brands. Each of our products is a masterpiece of engineering. We have expertise and capability to go through all stages of the product development, from in-house design to in-house manufacturing, from ideas and concepts to best products on the market that fuel the ambiance of living rooms and concert halls!

Senior Embedded Linux Developer (Audio Platforms):

We are looking for a Senior Embedded Linux Developer to engineer, maintain, and optimize the core Linux foundation for our next‑generation streaming audio products. You will assume responsibility for the Board Support Package (BSP), the Kernel, and the low‑level Audio Pipeline.

This is a highly technical, hands‑on role where you will join a strategic project in active development. You will work directly with our System Architects to stabilize and optimize the underlying "plumbing"—from the I2S clocks on the circuit board to the ALSA drivers and Pipewire graph—ensuring our flagship products meet the high standards of our brand. As you drive the current product to launch, you will play a key role in defining the OS strategy and tooling for our future product roadmap.

Key Responsibilities:

• Platform Ownership: Maintain, customize, and optimize the Yocto-based Linux distribution for NXP i.MX and similar SoCs. You will manage Bitbake recipes, layers, device tree overlays, and secure boot configurations.
• Audio Subsystem Integration: Dive deep into the Linux Audio stack. You will configure ALSA System-on-Chip (ASoC) drivers, debug DAI links (I2S/TDM), and ensure the userspace routing (using Pipewire and Wireplumber) is robust and glitch‑free.
• Vendor SDK Integration: You will be the expert at merging complex vendor SDKs (e.g., StreamUnlimited, NXP) with our custom codebase. You will handle kernel upgrades, resolve upstream conflicts, and patch drivers to support our specific use cases.
• Hardware Bring‑up: Work side‑by‑side with Electrical Engineers to validate new boards. You will use logic analyzers and oscilloscopes to verify clock timings, signal integrity on high‑speed buses, and driver initialization sequences.
• System Reliability & Performance: Act as the lead debugger for complex system failures. You will use tracing tools (ftrace, perf, Wireshark, LTTng) to root‑cause latency issues, eliminate XRUNs (audio dropouts), and optimize boot time/power consumption.

Experience and Qualifications:

• 5+ years of Embedded Linux development experience, with a specific focus on Audio/Video products.
• Linux Audio Deep Dive: Expert knowledge of ALSA System-on-Chip (ASoC). You must be comfortable configuring asound.conf, writing or patching machine drivers, debugging DAI links (I2S/TDM), and troubleshooting clock synchronization issues.
• Multimedia Frameworks: Strong experience with GStreamer and/or Pipewire. You understand how to construct and debug complex graphs, manage buffer negotiation, and integrate proprietary plugins (e.g., NXP’s optimized plugins) into the pipeline.
• Proprietary Stack Integration: Proven experience integrating binary‑only libraries (e.g., Dolby Atmos, DTS:X decoders) and DSP plugins into a Linux userspace environment. You can troubleshoot symbol linking errors and sandbox limitations.
• BSP & Build Systems: Expert proficiency with the Yocto Project and Bitbake. You can write recipes, manage layers, and resolve dependencies for custom images on NXP i.MX platforms.
• System Performance: ability to root‑cause XRUNs (audio dropouts) and latency jitter. You are proficient with tracing tools like LTTng, ftrace, perf, and Wireshark to analyze system behavior.
• Hardware Interface: Ability to read schematics to understand pin muxing and clock trees.
• Kernel Proficiency: Strong C programming skills for Kernel driver development and patching
• Assets:
  • Familiarity with HDMI subsystems (V4L2, EDID parsing)
  • Secure Boot implementation
  • Python/Bash scripting for test automation.
  • Familiarity with hardware debugging tools (Oscilloscopes, Logic Analyzers) to verify signal integrity on high‑speed buses (I2S, I2C).

As part of the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act (the "Act"), Paradigm Electronics Inc. will not employ any children under the age of 15, by taking special precautions to safeguard the health, security, and rights of persons under the age of 18 and ensure that they do not perform any hazardous work. We are committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace where all employees are valued. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates participating in our selection process.

Candidates interested in working in a dynamic environment that supports autonomy, creativity, and excellence are invited to apply in confidence.