Principal Audio Engineer

Sepura; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sepura Ltd in Cambridge is seeking a Principal Audio Software Engineer to lead real-timeDSP architecture for handheld mobile radios. You will drive noise reduction, beamforming, and AEC to ensure speech intelligibility in challenging environments.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, and influence roadmaps while delivering robust, low-latency audio software across platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Audio Engineering, DSP, or a related field.
• 5+ years of professional experience developing real-time audio software, DSP algorithms, or embedded audio systems.
• Strong knowledge of DSP algorithms (AEC, NR, AGC, beamforming, VAD, filtering) and C/C++ for real-time embedded systems.
• Experience optimising for low latency on resource-constrained platforms; familiar with fixed-point environments.

Responsibilities

• Architect, design and implement real-time audio processing algorithms and DSP pipelines.
• Develop technologies such as noise reduction, AEC, beamforming, VAD, audio enhancement, and custom codecs.
• Ensure software meets performance, latency, stability, and reliability for mission-critical communications.
• Lead technical reviews, mentor juniors, and guide engineering standards across teams.
• Collaborate with embedded software, hardware, and acoustics teams for seamless integration.

Skills

C/C++

Real-time embedded

DSP algorithms

Audio processing

Beamforming

AEC

Noise reduction

Debugging

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in EE/CS

Tools

MATLAB

Python

DSP libraries

Job description

We’re seeking a Principal Audio Software Engineer to join our team, leading the development of advanced audio processing technologies for our next generation of handheld mobile radio products. This role is critical to ensuring exceptional voice intelligibility, robustness, and reliability in the demanding environments faced by critical communications users.

Working collaboratively with embedded software, hardware, systems engineering, and other audio specialists, the successful candidate will architect, design and develop real‑time audio algorithms and software, driving innovations in noise reduction, echo cancellation, beamforming, audio enhancement, and other DSP technologies essential for delivering best‑in‑class communication performance.

Come and join Sepura Ltd at an exciting time of growth and progress your career within this innovative technology company, based in Waterbeach, Cambridge. You will play a pivotal role in shaping lifesaving and mission‑critical communication tools, where audio clarity and system reliability are paramount. We offer a challenging yet rewarding environment where your software and audio expertise will directly influence the performance and dependability of essential products.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, design and implement real‑time audio processing algorithms and DSP pipelines.
• Develop technologies such as noise reduction, acoustic echo cancellation (AEC), beamforming, voice activity detection, advanced audio enhancement, and custom codecs.
• Ensure software solutions meet stringent performance, latency, stability, and reliability requirements for mission‑critical communications.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as the technical authority for audio software, guiding design decisions and setting engineering standards.
• Lead technical reviews, mentor junior engineers, and support cross-functional engineering teams.
• Drive architectural evolution of audio subsystems and long‑term technology roadmaps.

Collaboration & Integration

• Work closely with embedded software, hardware, systems engineering and acoustics teams to ensure seamless integration of audio technologies.
• Support product development from concept through to delivery, including prototyping, testing, tuning, and verification.
• Collaborate with product management to define requirements and translate them into robust technical solutions.

Quality, Testing & Optimisation

• Conduct performance analysis, debugging, and optimisation of audio software across multiple platforms.
• Develop automated test frameworks and audio validation tools where appropriate.
• Ensure compliance with relevant communication, safety, and industry standards.

Research & Innovation

• Stay informed of emerging audio technologies, DSP methods, and industry trends.
• Explore new algorithmic approaches and evaluate third‑party solutions when suitable.
• Contribute to patents, white papers, and internal technical knowledge bases.

Day to Day

Audiological and system integration in diverse industry sectors, supported by an Agile development process centred around Scrum ceremonies. Each sprint may involve a mix of tasks from the responsibilities above. This role will require security clearance.

What You Need To Succeed

Required Skills and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Audio Engineering, DSP, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of professional experience developing real‑time audio software, DSP algorithms, or embedded audio systems.
• Technical Proficiency:
  • Deep knowledge of DSP algorithms (AEC, NR, AGC, beamforming, VAD, filtering).
  • Strong coding skills in C/C++ for real‑time embedded systems.
  • Experience optimising for low‑latency and resource‑constrained platforms.
  • Familiarity with audio frameworks, DSP libraries, or fixed‑point environments.
  • Strong analytical, problem‑solving and debugging skills.
  • Ability to lead complex technical projects end‑to‑end.
• Preferred (Nice‑to‑Have):
  • Experience in mission‑critical or safety‑critical communication systems.
  • Knowledge of TETRA, DMR, LTE/MCX or similar communication standards.
  • Experience with MATLAB or Python for algorithm development and validation.
  • Understanding of beamforming, microphone arrays, or acoustic system behaviour.
  • Experience with ARM platforms, RTOS environments, or multi‑core optimisation.
  • Exposure to ML‑based audio processing techniques.