Headphones Embedded Software Engineer

HARMAN International; Waterbeach; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Learning & development

Wellness benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HARMAN Lifestyle seeks a Headphones Embedded Software Engineer to shape the software direction for premium headphone products. You’ll contribute across embedded firmware, mobile apps, and cloud services within a cross-functional team and report to the Software Headphones Manager.

You’ll work on architecture, verification, and delivery, ensuring high-quality code aligned with brand standards in a hybrid work setting, with onsite days as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong experience developing embedded software in C.
• Experience delivering maintainable, well-documented code.
• Understanding of embedded systems and device drivers.
• Familiar with using AI tools to support development.

Responsibilities

• Define the future software strategy and technical vision for headphone products, covering embedded firmware and interfaces for apps and cloud services.
• Translate product ambitions into practical software deliverables across cross-functional teams.
• Contribute as an active member of project teams to move products through development and approval processes.
• Champion software quality and engineering best practices to improve maintainability, reuse, and long-term support.

Skills

Embedded C

Python

Software testing

AI familiarity

Education

Software engineering degree

Tools

Jira

Confluence

GitHub

Job description

Do you want to work for some of the world’s leading audio brands? Become a part of the HARMAN team and get to work for our Sound United Business Unit.
By joining HARMAN, you'll dive headfirst into the exciting world of headphones, portable speakers, party boxes and other audio technologies, and contribute to the success of Harman Lifestyle EMEA business.
You will join our Sound United Business Unit with iconic brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics, based in Barcelona, Spain in the position of:

Headphones Embedded Software Engineer

This is a maternity cover position with a fixed-term contract.

A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.

• Contribute your talents to high-end, esteemed brands like JBL, Mark Levinson, Revel, Denon, and Bowers & Wilkins
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development
• Create pitch-perfect, cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience

What You’ll Be Part Of

As Headphones Embedded Software Engineer, you will be a key member of the Headphones development team within the Bowers & Wilkins software organization, being part of a wider multidisciplinary team bringing to market exciting new projects in the headphones market and reporting to the Software Headphones Manager.
You will work across embedded firmware, mobile applications, cloud services, quality assurance, product, technology, and project teams to shape the software direction for premium headphone products. This role suits a strong technical engineer who can connect architecture and delivery, be part of a capable team, and maintain the engineering quality expected of a performance-oriented audio brand.

How You’ll Make An Impact

• Define the future software strategy and technical vision for headphone products, covering embedded firmware and the interfaces needed to support mobile applications and cloud services
• Participate actively in product and technology development, translating product ambitions into practical software deliverables
• Contribute as an active member of cross-functional project teams, helping products move through the overall development and approval process
• Understand external engineering resources, workloads, commitments, and delivery against agreed plans
• Champion software quality and engineering best practices that improve maintainability, reuse, automated verification, and long-term product support.
• Communicate technical trade-offs and build consensus across embedded, app, cloud, quality, product, project, and leadership stakeholders

What Makes You A Strong Fit

• Highly experienced in developing and testing embedded software in C and Python
• Highly experienced in delivering quality code that is clear, concise, well-documented and adheres to commercial standards
• Understanding of embedded systems and device drivers as they will represent the backbone of the systems involved
• We see AI as an important part of how work gets done. While tools may vary, a baseline familiarity with using AI to support efficiency, problem-solving, and quality is expected

Bonus Points if You Have

• A software engineering, computer science, or related science undergraduate degree
• Hands-on familiarity with Jira and Confluence in product-development environments
• Knowledge of build-system best practices, GitHub repository management and workflows, and automated testing
• Knowledge of or interest in the audio market
• Knowledge of Bluetooth Technology (Classic and Low Energy)

What You Can Expect

• A hybrid work environment that balances flexibility with in-person collaboration, with most office-based roles onsite three days a week
• Access to employee discounts on HARMAN and Samsung products, including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, and others
• Learning and development opportunities through HARMAN University programmes
• Wellness benefits designed to support your overall well‑being
• Tuition reimbursement support
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that supports professional and personal development

You Belong Here

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support‑minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected. Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought‑after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever‑evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award‑winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.(www.harman.com)