Senior Engineer, Embedded Software

Sonova USA, Inc.; California; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401k plan with company match

Hearing aid discount

PTO and holidays

Job summary

Sonova USA, Inc. in the United States seeks a Senior Engineer, Embedded Software to design and develop firmware for implantable hearing technologies, including cochlear implants. You will contribute from specification through validation, collaborating with cross-functional teams in a regulated environment.

You will work on DSP, RF, and audio processing, mentor junior engineers, and operate within a hybrid work model to deliver innovative hearing solutions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in firmware design, implementation, and testing.
• Strong expertise in embedded systems, DSP, RF, circuits, or custom IC technologies.
• Proficiency in C, C++, and Python.
• Experience with I2C, SPI, UART protocols.
• MATLAB, SPICE, VHDL, C# or similar tools are a plus.
• Strong understanding of DSP for audio applications.
• Experience with Class III medical devices and related standards (IEC60601, EN45502).
• Experience in regulated environments with FDA and CE submissions.
• Strong problem-solving and project management skills.
• Ability to mentor engineers and collaborate across teams.
• English communication skills.
• High-speed internet connectivity required for remote/hybrid work.

Responsibilities

• Develop firmware for implantable hearing solutions and cochlear implant systems.
• Design and support Class III medical device technologies involving regulatory compliance (FDA and CE).
• Contribute to DSP, custom component design, and verification of inductively powered systems.
• Ensure adherence to industry standards and internal quality requirements.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Project Management, and R&D to define product specs.
• Drive system-level tradeoff analysis considering cost, complexity, schedules, and risk.
• Conduct feasibility studies and propose components and algorithms.
• Partner with Electrical, Firmware, Software, and Mechanical teams during development.
• Support future platform architecture with R&D teams.
• Maintain design history files for regulatory submissions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues during verification and testing.

Skills

Embedded systems

DSP

C/C++

Python

I2C/SPI/UART

MATLAB

C#

VHDL

Digital signal processing

Regulatory knowledge (FDA/CE)

Education

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

PhD preferred

Tools

SPICE

Job description

Who we are

At Sonova, we envision a world where everyone can enjoy the delight of hearing. This vision inspires us and fuels our commitment to developing innovative solutions that improve hearing health and human connection - from personal audio devices and wireless communication systems to hearing aids and cochlear implants. We’re dedicated to providing outstanding customer experiences through our global audiological care services, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to engage fully with the world around them.

Guided by a culture of continuous improvement that fosters resilience and self-motivation, our team is united by a shared commitment to excellence and a deep sense of pride in our work, each of us playing a vital role in creating meaningful change.

Here you’ll find a diverse range of opportunities that span both consumer and medical solutions and the freedom to shape your career while making an impact on the lives of others. Join us in our mission to create a more connected world, where every voice is heard and every story matters.

Senior Engineer, Embedded Software

164042

Senior Engineer, Embedded Software

The Senior Engineer, Embedded Software is responsible for designing and developing embedded systems, firmware, and platform architectures for cochlear implant systems. This role contributes to the research and development of next‑generation hearing technologies by developing firmware for microcontroller‑based systems and supporting product development through specification, design, debugging, testing, formal verification, and sustaining engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop firmware for implantable hearing solutions and cochlear implant systems
• Design and support Class III medical device technologies involving custom components and regulatory compliance (FDA and CE)
• Contribute to digital signal processing technologies, custom component design, and verification of inductively powered systems
• Ensure adherence to applicable industry standards and internal quality system requirements
• Collaborate with Marketing, Project Management, and R&D teams to define product requirements and specifications
• Drive system‑level tradeoff analysis considering cost, complexity, schedules, usability, and risk
• Conduct feasibility studies and propose components, algorithms, and technical solutions
• Partner cross‑functionally with Electrical, Firmware, Software, and Mechanical Engineering teams during development and integration
• Support future platform architecture development with R&T and R&D teams
• Maintain design history files and documentation consistent with regulatory submission requirements
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues while supporting system verification and testing

More about you

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field required; PhD preferred
• 5+ years of experience in firmware design, implementation, and testing
• Strong expertise in embedded systems, DSP, RF, circuits, or custom IC technologies
• Must have experience in programming languages such as C, C++, and Python
• Must have experience with protocols like I2C, SPI, UART
• Experience with MATLAB, SPICE, VHDL, C# or similar engineering tools is a plus
• Strong understanding of digital signal processing for audio applications
• Experience with Class III medical devices and relevant standards (IEC60601, EN45502, etc.) required
• Experience working in highly regulated environments with FDA and CE submission requirements
• Strong technical problem‑solving and project management skills
• Ability to mentor junior engineers and collaborate across cross‑functional teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• A minimum of 200Mb/sec download and 10Mb/sec upload speed internet connectivity is required to support any remote/hybrid employee functionality at Sonova

Don't meet all the criteria? If you’re willing to go all in and learn we’d love to hear from you!

We are looking forward to receiving your application via our online job application platform. For this position only direct applications will be considered. Sonova does not recruit via app, telegram, carrier pigeon or any other format that does not include speaking with an actual human. If you are offered a job without speaking with someone please contact Sonova Human Resources.

What we offer

• Medical, dental and vision coverage*
• Health Savings, Health Reimbursement, Flexible Spending/Dependent Care Accounts
• TeleHealth options
• 401k plan with company match*
• Company paid life/ad&d insurance
• Additional supplemental life/ad&d coverage available
• Company paid Short/Long‑Term Disability coverage (STD/LTD)
• STD LTD Buy-ups available
• Accident/Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Legal/ID Theft Assistance
• PTO (or sick and vacation time), floating Diversity Day, & paid holidays*
• Paid parental bonding leave
• Employee Assistance Program (24/7 mental health support hotline, 5 company paid counseling sessions and more)
• Robust Internal Career Growth opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Hearing aid discount for employees and family
• Internal social recognition platform
• *Plan rules/offerings dependent upon group Company/location.

This role’s pay range is between $100,320/yr - $125,400/yr. This role is also bonus eligible.

How we work

At Sonova, we prioritize the well‑being of our employees and foster an inclusive environment that promotes engagement and collaboration. Our team‑customized hybrid work model empowers teams to balance individual needs with business goals, offering flexibility and individualized time management. We recognize the importance of life outside of work and strive to create a supportive and motivating workplace where innovation thrives.

Sonova is an equal opportunity employer

We team up. We grow talent. We collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds to win with the best team in the marketplace. We guarantee every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of a candidate’s ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, gender, genetic identity, age, disability or any other legally protected status.

Sonova is an equal opportunity employer

We team up. We grow talent. We collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds to win with the best team in the market place. We guarantee every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of a candidate’s ethnic or national origin, religion, sexual orientation or marital status, gender, genetic identity, age, disability or any other legally protected status.