Embedded Audio Engineer

Blackstar Amplification; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Workplace pension

Private mental health support

Excellent career progression

Job summary

Blackstar Amplification is seeking an Embedded Audio Engineer to develop proprietary embedded software within innovative audio products. Located in Northampton, the role involves design and optimization of DSP algorithms, maintaining embedded control systems, and collaborating within a dynamic team. Essential qualifications include proven experience with Embedded C, C++, and hardware debugging, alongside a knack for writing clean code. The position offers a competitive salary, workplace pension, and mental health support, primarily office-based with flexible hybrid options.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a commercial software development environment.
• Ability to produce clean, accurate and reusable code.
• Strong understanding of audio and low-voltage control electronics.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Collaborate with the wider team to peer review, bug fix, and improve the codebase.

Skills

Embedded C

Git

C++

DSP implementation

JUCE framework

hardware debugging

technical documentation

Education

Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C#

Jira

Confluence

Job description

Position: Embedded Audio Engineer; Department: Research and Development; Reporting to: Software Team Lead; Location: Northampton, UK.

The Company

Blackstar Amplification 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.

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, and be part of the next‑generation of audio products in an exciting team and dynamic industry.

Additional desirable activities: design, implement and optimise novel DSP algorithms on hardware products, port existing DSP algorithms between code bases and languages, and support with the development of desktop applications.

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.).

The Person

Essential

• Proven knowledge and working experience with Embedded C, Git and the command line, hardware debugging using logic analyzers and scopes, and writing technical documentation.
• 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 of 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 practices and associated software (Jira, Confluence etc.), and plugin architectures (AU, VST3, AAX, LV2).
• Guitar player or an active interest in music technology.
• Understanding of audio and low‑voltage control electronics, PCB design, and 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.
• Flexible and 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.