At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of advanced audio processing technologies for mobile radio products.
- Company: Join Sepura Ltd, an innovative tech company in Waterbeach, Cambridge.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative Agile team with opportunities for innovation and technical leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on lifesaving communication tools with cutting-edge audio technology.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in audio software development and strong DSP knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking a Principal Audio Software Engineer to lead the development of advanced audio processing technologies for our next generation of handheld mobile radio products. This role is critical to ensuring exceptional voice intelligibility, robustness, and reliability in the demanding environments faced by critical communications users.
Working collaboratively with embedded software, hardware, systems engineering, and other audio specialists, the successful candidate will be responsible for architecting, developing, and optimising real‑time audio algorithms and software. This includes driving innovations in noise reduction, echo cancellation, beamforming, audio enhancement, and other DSP technologies essential for delivering best‑in‑class communication performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Architect, design and implement real‑time audio processing algorithms and DSP pipelines.
- Develop technologies such as noise reduction, acoustic echo cancellation (AEC), beamforming, voice activity detection, advanced audio enhancement, and custom codecs.
- Ensure software solutions meet stringent performance, latency, stability, and reliability requirements for mission‑critical communications.
Technical Leadership:
- Serve as the technical authority for audio software, guiding design decisions and setting engineering standards.
- Lead technical reviews, mentor junior engineers, and support cross‑functional engineering teams.
- Drive architectural evolution of audio subsystems and long‑term technology roadmaps.
Collaboration & Integration:
- Work closely with embedded software, hardware, systems engineering and acoustics teams to ensure seamless integration of audio technologies.
- Support product development from concept through to delivery, including prototyping, testing, tuning, and verification.
- Collaborate with product management to define requirements and translate them into robust technical solutions.
Quality, Testing & Optimisation:
- Conduct performance analysis, debugging, and optimisation of audio software across multiple platforms.
- Develop automated test frameworks and audio validation tools where appropriate.
- Ensure compliance with relevant communication, safety, and industry standards.
Research & Innovation:
- Stay informed of emerging audio technologies, DSP methods, and industry trends.
- Explore new algorithmic approaches and evaluate third‑party solutions when suitable.
- Contribute to patents, white papers, and internal technical knowledge bases.
What you need to succeed:
- Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Audio Engineering, DSP, or a related field.
- Experience: 5+ years of professional experience developing real‑time audio software, DSP algorithms, or embedded audio systems.
- Technical Proficiency: Deep knowledge of DSP algorithms (AEC, NR, AGC, beamforming, VAD, filtering). Strong coding skills in C/C++ for real‑time embedded systems. Experience optimising for low‑latency and resource‑constrained platforms. Familiarity with audio frameworks, DSP libraries, or fixed‑point environments. Strong analytical, problem‑solving and debugging skills. Ability to lead complex technical projects end‑to‑end.
Preferred (Nice‑to‑Have):
- Experience in mission‑critical or safety‑critical communication systems.
- Knowledge of TETRA, DMR, LTE/MCX or similar communication standards.
- Experience with MATLAB or Python for algorithm development and validation.
- Understanding of beamforming, microphone arrays, or acoustic system behaviour.
- Experience with ARM platforms, RTOS environments, or multi‑core optimisation.
- Exposure to ML‑based audio processing techniques.
This role will require security clearance.
Principal Audio Engineer in Cambridge employer: Sepura plc.
At Sepura, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where no two days are the same. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and growth, providing ample opportunities for professional development, including mentoring junior engineers. Located in a vibrant area, we support our employees with competitive benefits, travel reimbursements, and the chance to work on cutting-edge communication technologies that make a real difference across various industries.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Audio Engineer in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the audio engineering field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly to hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best work in audio processing and DSP algorithms. This could be a website or a GitHub repository where you share projects, code snippets, and any innovative solutions you've developed.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with real-time audio software and how you've tackled challenges in past projects. Practice common interview questions related to audio engineering.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who take the initiative. Tailor your application to highlight your experience with noise reduction, echo cancellation, and other key technologies mentioned in the job description. Let's get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Audio Engineer in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Audio Engineer role. Highlight your experience with DSP algorithms and real-time audio software, as well as any relevant projects that showcase your skills in noise reduction and echo cancellation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for our team. Share your passion for audio engineering and how your background aligns with our mission at Sepura. Don’t forget to mention any innovative projects you've worked on!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to highlight your technical proficiency in C/C++ and any experience you have with audio frameworks or DSP libraries. We want to see how you can contribute to our cutting-edge audio processing technologies.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Sepura. Don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sepura plc.
✨Know Your DSP Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of DSP algorithms like AEC, NR, and beamforming. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past projects, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Coding Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your coding prowess in C/C++. You might be asked to solve a problem on the spot, so practice coding challenges related to real-time audio processing to ensure you're sharp and ready.
✨Understand the Product and Its Users
Familiarise yourself with Sepura's products and the critical communications landscape. Knowing how your role impacts users in demanding environments will show your commitment and understanding of the company's mission.
✨Be Ready for Technical Leadership Questions
As a Principal Audio Engineer, you'll need to lead and mentor others. Prepare examples of how you've guided teams in the past, tackled technical reviews, and contributed to architectural decisions to highlight your leadership skills.
