Principal Software Systems Engineer Luxury Audio in Cambridge

HARMAN's engineers and designers are creative, purposeful, and agile. As part of this team, you'll combine your technical expertise with innovative ideas to help drive cutting-edge solutions in the car enterprise and connected ecosystem. Every day you will push the boundaries of creative design, and HARMAN is committed to providing you with the opportunities, innovative technologies, and resources to build a successful career.

A Career at HARMAN: As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity, and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you'll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference, and be proud of the work you do every day.

Have you heard of JBL, Arcam, Mark Levinson, Revel, or Harman/Kardon, some of the world's leading audio brands? The market we are leading in is fast-paced, fun, and dynamic. Five prestigious brands - JBL Synthesis, Mark Levinson, Revel, Lexicon, and Arcam - come together to offer the most advanced high-performance audio systems available. From the finest stereo listening to state-of-the-art multichannel home theatre systems, the HARMAN Luxury Audio Group delivers pure, uncompromised sound.

The consumer audio industry is fast-paced, fun, and dynamic, and you will join our Luxury Audio department based in Cambridge, UK, in the position of Principal Software Systems Engineer.

About the Role: HARMAN's Luxury Audio group consists of a portfolio of the most respected brands in the audio industry. HARMAN Luxury Audio continues to set new standards of performance through advancements in design and the development of innovative audio. In this role, you will be responsible for the design and oversight of high-performance, high-quality audio components from concept through production. As a Principal Software Systems Engineer within the Luxury Audio Engineering Group, you will be joining our team of world-class engineers who share an extraordinary passion for impeccable sound and dedication to raising the bar for high-end consumer audio. This role will be pivotal in designing, developing, and refining cutting-edge audio equipment and audio systems (amplifiers, preamplifiers, streamers, etc.), ensuring that our products continue to lead the market in quality and performance.

Your Team: You will report to the Software Engineering Manager and be part of a cross-functional team including industrial design, electronics, mechanical, software, test, and production teams.

What You Will Do: This role will require occasional hands-on experience. Oversee multiple projects from concept through to production, liaising with the project managers to ensure software delivery and product deadlines are met. Work with the internal multi-disciplinary team to plan, design, and document software requirements aligning with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Create detailed Requirements Documents and software development plans for audio systems. Collaborate with external partners to implement and deliver new products, features, and bug fixes for new and existing products as well as their accompanying app and software tools. Actively lead and facilitate systems design and reviews. Prepare and present project reports and technical documentation. Drive innovation and continuous improvement in audio system design by staying up to date with the latest technological advancements and industry trends. Ensure all designs meet stringent quality compliance and performance standards. Be willing to go hands-on and directly support development efforts, coaching and communication best practices and industry standards.

What You Need to Be Successful: Bachelor's degree in software engineering or equivalent work experience in a related technical discipline. At least 10 years' experience working in system-level development of high-performance consumer audio systems and the related competitive market. Experience in project management of embedded software development (Jira) and strong experience driving best practice in software delivery. Strong skills in software languages including C and C++ with the ability to troubleshoot code and be hands-on where necessary. Hands-on experience in developing embedded systems (Bare Metal / RTOS) and protocols (RS-232, I2C, SPI, and USB). Solid understanding of modern software design, build, delivery, and management (Git, CI/CD) methodologies and proven execution of such skills in a commercial product. Debug using test equipment including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, emulators, and simulators. Knowledge of high-resolution audio formats, streaming technologies, and audio compression techniques. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Attention to detail and a passion for achieving excellence in audio quality.

Bonus Points if You Have: A Master's degree in a relevant subject. Understanding and practical experience with Linux systems (boot, kernel, ALSA). Familiarity with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Internet protocols (TCP/IP). Experience with app development (Flutter). Understanding of audio A/D and D/A converters. Experience developing, writing, and debugging automated test procedures. Knowledge of audio measurement techniques.

What Makes You Eligible: Be willing to travel up to 10% domestic and international travel. Be willing to work in an office in Cambridge, UK. Due to the nature of global infrastructure, you understand that flexibility in working hours is required.

What We Offer: Opportunity to collaborate with talented teams across the world. An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities. Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging a positive work-life balance. On-site opportunities to focus on personal well-being and development provided by our Wellness Committee, Volunteer Committee, and Harman Women's Network. Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University's business and leadership academies and extensive course catalog. The opportunity to work on complex problems and continuous improvement initiatives. Access to employee discounts on world-class HARMAN audio products including JBL and Harman/Kardon.