Principal Audio/DSP Systems Engineer

1010 Analog Devices Inc.; Wilmington (MA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 275,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Medical, vision, and dental coverage

401k

Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

Job summary

Analog Devices, Inc. seeks a Principal Audio/DSP Systems Engineer to architect and optimize end-to-end deployment pipelines for compact audio AI models on DSP/NPU targets.

You will drive DSP/NPU partitioning and co-design with RTL teams, ensuring efficient bit-exact verification and high-performance fixed-point implementations. You will lead model compression workflows (PTQ/QAT), develop audio signal processing kernels, and mentor teams while contributing to hardware-aware algorithms and system

Qualifications

• PhD in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of audio/signal processing in a semiconductor environment with DSP/NPU deployment experience.
• Expert in fixed-point algorithms, PTQ/QAT, and cycle-level optimization for constrained processors.
• Strong knowledge of simulation-to-RTL flows, bit-exact modeling, RTL co-simulation, and verification with design teams.
• Proficiency in C, Python, MATLAB, and deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow/TFLite, PyTorch/ONNX).
• Experience with low-level profiling tools, memory optimization for embedded AI inference.
• Solid foundation in array signal processing, beamforming, and acoustic system design.

Responsibilities

• Architect and optimize end-to-end deployment pipelines for compact audio AI models on DSP/NPU targets.
• Define and drive DSP/NPU partitioning strategies balancing workload, memory, latency, and power.
• Own simulation-to-RTL validation flows and collaborate with RTL teams on verification.
• Develop and optimize fixed-point DSP kernels and neural network kernels for embedded hardware.
• Profile inference performance, memory footprint, and power under real-time constraints.
• Lead model compression/quantization workflows (PTQ, QAT) with quality tracking.
• Mentor engineers in deployment best practices and hardware-aware algorithms.

Skills

C programming

Python

MATLAB

Fixed-point optimization

DSP/NPUs

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

C/C++

MATLAB

TensorFlow/PyTorch

RTL co-simulation

Job description

About Analog Devices

Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) is a global semiconductor leader that bridges the physical and digital worlds to enable breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate change, reliably connect humans and the world, and help drive advancements in automation and robotics, mobility, healthcare, energy and data centers. With revenue of more than $11 billion in FY25, ADI ensures today's innovators stay Ahead of What's Possible. Learn more at www.analog.com and on LinkedIn and X.

Principal Audio/DSP Systems Engineer Responsibilities:

Architect and optimize end-to-end deployment pipelines for compact audio AI models from trained model through quantization, profiling, and production deployment on DSP/NPU targets Define and drive DSP/NPU partitioning strategies, balancing workload allocation, memory bandwidth, latency, and power across processing elements on the SoC Own simulation-to-RTL validation flows: develop bit-exact reference models, collaborate with RTL teams on functional verification, and close gaps between algorithmic intent and hardware behavior Perform low-level implementation and optimization of signal processing and neural network kernels for fixed-point DSP and NPU instruction sets, maximizing utilization of MAC arrays, SIMD paths, and on-chip memory hierarchies Profile and optimize inference performance (cycles, memory footprint, power) under strict always-on and real-time constraints typical of hearable/wearable devices Design and maintain model compression and quantization workflows (PTQ, QAT) with rigorous quality tracking against floating-point baselines Develop signal processing algorithms for array processing, beamforming, and spatial filtering, with a clear path from MATLAB/Python prototypes to deployable fixed-point implementations Contribute to audio ASIC system architecture definition — informing hardware spec decisions (precision, buffer sizes, DMA structures, NPU config) based on algorithmic and deployment requirements Generate IP (patents) and represent the team's technical depth to OEM customers in automotive and hearable segments Mentor engineers in deployment best practices, embedded optimization, and hardware-aware algorithm design.

Required Qualifications:

PhD in Electrical Engineering, signal processing, or related field

10+ years in audio/speech signal processing within a semiconductor environment, with significant hands-on deployment experience on DSP and/or NPU platforms

Demonstrated expertise in fixed-point algorithm implementation, model quantization (PTQ/QAT), and cycle-level optimization for resource-constrained processors

Strong working knowledge of simulation-to-RTL flows: bit-exact modeling, RTL co-simulation, and functional verification collaboration with design teams

Proficiency in C (embedded/firmware level), Python, MATLAB, and deep learning frameworks (TensorFlow/TFLite, PyTorch/ONNX)

Experience with low-level profiling tools, instruction set architectures, and memory optimization for embedded AI inference

Solid foundation in array signal processing, beamforming, and acoustic system design

Preferred Qualifications:

Direct experience with NPU/accelerator architectures (dataflow engines, weight-stationary/output-stationary designs) and their programming models

Familiarity with ASIC development cycles — from algorithm freeze through tapeout and silicon validation

Background in always-on, sub-mW audio processing for hearable, TWS, or wearable products

Track record of US patents in audio signal processing or embedded ML

Experience technically leading a small engineering team

For positions requiring access to technical data, Analog Devices, Inc. may have to obtain export licensing approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the U.S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this position – except US Citizens, US Permanent Residents, and protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) – may have to go through an export licensing review process.

Analog Devices is an equal opportunity employer. We foster a culture where everyone has an opportunity to succeed regardless of their race, color, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, union membership, and political affiliation, or any other legally protected group.

EEO is the Law: Notice of Applicant Rights Under the Law.

Job Req Type: Experienced Required Travel: Yes, 10% of the time Shift Type: 1st Shift/Days

The expected wage range for a new hire into this position is $200,000 to $275,000. Actual wage offered may vary depending on work location, experience, education, training, external market data, internal pay equity, or other bona fide factors.

This position qualifies for a discretionary performance-based bonus which is based on personal and company factors. This position includes medical, vision and dental coverage, 401k, paid vacation, holidays, and sick time, and other benefits.

Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) is a global semiconductor leader that bridges the physical and digital worlds to enable breakthroughs at the Intelligent Edge. ADI combines analog, digital, AI, and software technologies into solutions that combat climate change, reliably connect humans and the world, and help drive advancements in automation and robotics, mobility, healthcare, energy and data centers. With revenue of more than $11 billion in FY25, ADI ensures today's innovators stay Ahead of What's Possible. Learn more at www.analog.com and on LinkedIn and X. Come join ADI – a place where Innovation meets Impact. For more than 55 years, Analog Devices has been inventing new breakthrough technologies that transform lives. At ADI you will work alongside the brightest minds to collaborate on solving complex problems that matter from autonomous vehicles, drones and factories to augmented reality and remote healthcare. ADI fosters a culture that focuses on employees through beneficial programs, aligned goals, continuous learning opportunities, and practices that create a more sustainable future.