Audio Systems Engineer

Sesame; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401 (k) max employer match: 3.5% of 64

Health, vision, and dental benefits

Unlimited PTO and sick time

Flexible spending account with FSA upm

EAP

Stock options

Job summary

Sesame in San Francisco is seeking an experienced Audio System Engineer to define, tune, evaluate, and ship high-quality speech reproduction and spatial audio capture systems for compact wearables.

You will own microphone array design, real-time capture, and DSP-based performance, collaborating with hardware, software, and product teams to meet ambitious audio benchmarks.

This role requires hands-on testing with tools like SoundCheck and COMSOL, and a track record of shipping consumer electronics.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in audio hardware development
• Experience in designing, tuning, and testing microphone arrays and real-time audio capture
• Track record in developing audio solutions encompassing acoustics, transducers, digital interfaces, audio ICs, and DSPs
• Hands-on experience with audio testing systems (SoundCheck, Audio Precision, HATS testing)
• Background in DSP techniques (FIR/IIR filter design, beamforming, echo cancellation)
• Effective independent operation and teamwork in a dynamic, cross-functional setting
• Experience with acoustic simulation software, e.g., COMSOL
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Acoustics, or similar

Responsibilities

• Own aspects of shipping consumer electronic products with market-leading audio performance, independently or with the support of the Audio Lead depending on experience level
• Create the transfer function from product-level requirement documents to audio system and transducer requirements to ensure product success
• Design, analyze, and refine real-time audio capture and render systems
• Research and implement advanced technologies to optimize audio system integration
• Continuously learn and explore new technologies, setting benchmarks for user experiences
• Collaborate on system architecture, including algorithms and tools, and oversee implementation
• Evaluate third-party audio technologies and keep abreast of industry developments
• Understand the trade-offs in various DSP and ML approaches and platforms for embedded solutions
• Work with the cross-functional team to innovate on audio solutions
• Factory testing and build support throughout the product development cycle

Skills

Audio hardware development

Mic array design

Real-time audio capture

Acoustics & transducers

Audio DSPs

Digital interfaces

Audio ICs

DSP techniques

FIR/IIR design

Beamforming

Echo cancellation

Independence & teamwork

COMSOL

Psychoacoustics awareness

ML for audio

MATLAB

Python

Consumer audio architecture

Acoustics knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Acoustics, or similar

MS/PhD in EE, CS, Acoustics or related disciplines

Tools

SoundCheck

Audio Precision

HATS testing

COMSOL

MATLAB

Python

Job description

About Sesame

Sesame believes in a future where computers are lifelike - with the ability to see, hear, and collaborate with us in ways that feel natural and human. With this vision, we're designing a new kind of computer, focused on making voice agents part of our daily lives. Our team brings together founders from Oculus and Ubiquity6, alongside proven leaders from Meta, Google, and Apple, with deep expertise spanning hardware and software. Join us in shaping a future where computers truly come alive.

About the Role

Join our team to craft a unique take on smart wearable devices with incredibly compact audio capabilities. We're looking for an experienced Audio System Engineer to define, tune, evaluate, and ship high-quality speech reproduction systems and spatialized audio capture solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Own aspects of shipping consumer electronic products with market-leading audio performance, independently or with the support of the Audio Lead depending on experience level.
• Create the transfer function from product-level requirement documents to audio system and transducer requirements to ensure product success.
• Design, analyze, and refine real-time audio capture and render systems.
• Research and implement advanced technologies to optimize audio system integration.
• Continuously learn and explore new technologies, setting benchmarks for user experiences.
• Collaborate on system architecture, including algorithms and tools, and oversee implementation.
• Evaluate third-party audio technologies and keep abreast of industry developments.
• Understand the trade-offs in various DSP and ML approaches and platforms for embedded solutions.
• Work with the cross-functional team to innovate on audio solutions.
• Factory testing and build support throughout the product development cycle.

Required Qualifications:

• 4+ years of experience in audio hardware development, with at least one shipped consumer electronics product.
• Experience in designing, tuning, and testing microphone arrays and real-time audio capture.
• Track record in developing audio solutions encompassing acoustics, transducers, digital interfaces, audio ICs, and DSPs.
• Hands-on experience with audio testing systems (e.g., SoundCheck, Audio Precision, HATS testing).
• Background in DSP techniques (e.g., FIR/IIR filter design, beamforming, echo cancellation).
• Effective independent operation and teamwork in a dynamic, cross-functional setting.
• Experience with acoustic simulation software, e.g., COMSOL.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Acoustics, or similar.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience in audio hardware development.
• Proficiency in a high-level programming language (e.g., MATLAB, Python).
• Familiarity with human perception of sound.
• Experience with psychoacoustic metrics and evaluation of speech quality and intelligibility.
• Familiarity with audio rendering techniques and speaker technologies.
• Experience in acoustics and consumer audio EE architecture.
• Familiarity with audio algorithm development, ML techniques, and/or neural network implementations.
• M.Sc. or Ph.D. in EE, Computer Science, Acoustics, or related disciplines.

Sesame is committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome all qualified applicants, embracing diversity in race, gender, identity, orientation, ability, and more. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Contact [e-mail] for assistance.

Full-time Employee Benefits:

• 401 (k) max employer match: 3.5% of compensation
• 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits for you and your dependents
• Unlimited PTO and sick time
• Flexible spending account with employer matching up to $1,650/year (medical FSA)
• Guardian Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Opportunity to share in the company's success with competitive stock options

Benefits do not apply to contingent/contract workers.