Staff Software Engineer – DSP & AI Optimisation

Arm Limited; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Arm Limited in Cambridge seeks an experienced embedded software engineer to design, optimize, and present DSP and AI workloads on Arm platforms. You will collaborate with hardware and software teams to bring up platforms, port OSes, and demonstrate performance improvements on next-generation solutions.

The role combines low-level embedded development, processor architecture knowledge, and system-level optimization to deliver efficient compute pipelines across DSP, ML, and vision workloads.

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and low-level embedded programming.
• Solid understanding of processor architectures, memory hierarchies, caches, DMA, and interrupt handling.
• Familiarity with RTOS, Zephyr, or Linux and embedded operating systems.

Responsibilities

• Platform bring-up and embedded platform configuration (bare-metal, RTOS, Zephyr, embedded Linux).
• Performance optimization of DSP, audio, vision and AI workloads using Arm features (MVE, NEON, SVE2, SME).
• Develop and optimize kernels and libraries for signal processing and ML preprocessing.
• System integration of sensors, memory, DMA, accelerators and software components into pipelines.
• Benchmarking and profiling CPU, memory, bandwidth, latency and power with hardware counters.

Skills

C/C++

Embedded programming

Processor architectures

RTOS/Linux

Performance profiling

DSP algorithms

Hardware boards

Collaboration

Communication

Tools

CMSIS-DSP

CMSIS-NN

Ethos-U NPU

Job description

Job Overview

We seek a passionate, experienced embedded software engineer to design, improve, and present DSP and AI workloads on the latest Arm-based platforms. At Arm, you will get to contribute to forward-thinking projects that advance tomorrow's technology. This role presents a remarkable opportunity to work alongside a team of talented engineers to develop and apply next-generation solutions for our future challenging projects!

The successful candidate will work closely with hardware architects and software teams. They will bring up development platforms, port operating systems, and optimize compute-intensive workloads. They will also demonstrate the performance potential of Arm solutions. This role combines low-level embedded software development, processor architecture knowledge, performance optimization, and system-level integration.

Responsibilities

• Platform bring-up: Enable and configure embedded platforms, including bare-metal environments, RTOS, Zephyr, and embedded Linux.
• Performance optimization: Transfer and improve DSP, audio, vision, and AI workloads through the use of Arm architectural features like MVE, NEON, SVE2, and SME.
• Compute libraries: Develop and optimize mathematical and signal-processing kernels, including FFTs, filters, image processing, and ML preprocessing.
• System integration: Integrate sensors, memory subsystems, DMA, accelerators, and software components into complete processing pipelines.
• Benchmarking and profiling: Analyze CPU utilization, memory bandwidth, cache behavior, latency, and power consumption using hardware performance counters and profiling tools.
• Technical demonstrations: Develop representative applications showcasing the capabilities of Arm processors and accelerators.
• Collaboration: Work with processor architects, software teams, and silicon partners to identify performance bottlenecks and recommend architectural improvements.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong proficiency in C/C++ and low-level embedded programming.
• Solid understanding of processor architectures, memory hierarchies, caches, DMA, and interrupt handling.
• Familiarity in handling embedded operating systems like RTOS, Zephyr, or Linux.
• Practical experience in performance profiling and code optimization.
• Familiarity with DSP algorithms, fixed-point arithmetic, and SIMD/vector processing.
• Experience with embedded development tools, compilers, debuggers, and hardware evaluation boards.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and capacity to collaborate effectively within a group.
• Strong communication skills to effectively convey technical concepts.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Arm Cortex-M and Cortex-A architectures.
• MVE (Helium), NEON, SVE2, or assembly-level optimization.
• CMSIS-DSP, CMSIS-NN, or equivalent compute libraries.
• Ethos-U NPU or other AI accelerators.
• Audio processing, computer vision, or sensor fusion.
• TensorFlow Lite, ExecuTorch, or other embedded ML frameworks.
• Python scripting for automation, benchmarking, and performance analysis.
• Experience with FPGA prototypes or pre-silicon platforms.
• Deploying Agentic-AI in SW creation and optimization.
• Experience with hardware-software co-design and system-level optimization.
• Generating technical reports, white papers, and technical presentations.

In Return

At Arm, we value our employees and strive to build an inclusive and collaborative environment. In return for your dedication and expertise, you will participate in ambitious projects alongside world-class engineers. You will receive support for professional development and have access to a range of benefits to improve your career and personal life. Join us and be a part of a company that is crafting the future of technology!

Additional Information

Please note this role does not meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship, and therefore the successful candidate must have the right to work in the UK without relying on sponsorship by Arm. If skilled worker sponsorship is required, Arm will meet costs associated with sponsorship for the employer only. All fees associated with the individual's application e.g. visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge, will be the responsibility of the successful candidate.#LI-CI

Our 10x Mindset

At Arm, we believe progress happens when people are empowered to think bigger and push beyond what seems possible. Our 10x mindset is about curiosity, ambition and creating impact that will be used by millions. We learn fast, prioritise collaboration and turn bold ideas into real technology. We look for people who are inspired by this way of working and want to grow in an environment where bold ideas are welcomed. Discover how the 10x mindset shapes life at Arm: https://careers.arm.com/10x-mindset

Use of AI in Your Application

At Arm, we embrace the benefits AI can bring, including in recruitment. You may use AI to support your preparation, such as improving the clarity of written responses, practicing interview questions, or learning more about our industry. However, your application and interview responses must reflect your own thinking, experience, and abilities. We want to understand your authentic perspective, creativity, and approach to problem solving. As such, you may not use AI to complete assigned tasks as part of any assessments. If you plan to use AI-supported or assistive technologies as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact [e-mail] so we can support you.

Recruitment Adjustments and Accommodations

At Arm, we want to build extraordinary teams. If you need an adjustment or an accommodation during the recruitment process, please email [e-mail]. To note, by sending us the requested information, you consent to its use by Arm to arrange for appropriate accommodations. All accommodation or adjustment requests will be treated with confidentiality, and information concerning these requests will only be disclosed as necessary to provide the accommodation. Although this is not an exhaustive list, examples of support include breaks between interviews, having documents read aloud, or office accessibility. Please email us about anything we can do to accommodate you during the recruitment process.

Hybrid Working

Arm's approach to hybrid working is designed to create a working environment that supports both high performance and personal wellbeing. We believe in bringing people together face to face to enable us to work at pace, whilst recognizing the value of flexibility. Within that framework, we empower groups/teams to determine their own hybrid working patterns, depending on the work and the team’s needs. Details of what this means for each role will be shared upon application. In some cases, the flexibility we can offer is limited by local legal, regulatory, tax, or other considerations, and where this is the case, we will collaborate with you to find the best solution. Please talk to us to find out more about what this could look like for you.

Equal Opportunities

Arm is an equal opportunity employer, committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal opportunities are available to all applicants and colleagues. We are a diverse organization of dedicated and innovative individuals, and don't discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.