Embedded Audio Engineer

Position: Embedded Audio Engineer

Department: Research and Development

Reporting to: Software Team Lead

Location: Northampton, UK

The Company

Blackstar Amplification launched from Northampton, England in 2007 and has an award-winning R&D team of engineers. Driven by a passion for designing innovative amplification products that redefine players expectations, Blackstar today distributes products to over 50 countries worldwide and is a major international brand in the Musical Instrument and Audio markets.

Learn more about Blackstar

The Role

Purpose of the role:

• To develop Blackstar’s proprietary embedded software within our ever-expanding product range.

• Hold responsibility for Release firmware: from Design Brief to product release and beyond.

• Be part of the next-generation of audio products in an exciting team and dynamic industry.

Main Activities and Tasks:

• Design, develop and maintain embedded control systems.

• Assist in the implementation of new and evolving hardware platforms.

• Support in specifying new user-focused products for the Musical Instrument market.

• Build, test and release code for cutting-edge new products.

• Work within the Software Team to expand and improve our multi-platform software ecosystem.

• Collaborate with the wider team to peer review, bug fix, and generally improve the large Blackstar codebase.

• Devise, control and carry out pre-release test procedures for both hardware and software products.

• Integrate new peripheral subsystems (USB, SPI, I2C etc.).

Additional Desirable Activities Based on Applicant:

• Design, implement and optimise novel DSP algorithms on hardware products.

• Porting existing DSP algorithms between code bases and languages.

• Support with the development of desktop applications

The Person

Essential

• Proven knowledge and working experience with:

◦ Embedded C

◦ Git and the command line

◦ Hardware debugging using logic analysers, scopes etc.

◦ Writing technical documentation

• Some Combination of:

◦ Advanced DSP implementation and design for audio

◦ Professional experience with C++ and the JUCE framework

◦ Professional experience with embedded Linux systems

◦ Professional experience with real time audio

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a commercial software development environment

• Ability to produce clean, accurate and reusable code

Desirable

• Experience with:

◦ A fast prototyping language (MATLAB, Python, C# etc.)

◦ CI/CD

◦ Unit Testing

◦ Agile development practises and associated software (Jira, Confluence etc.)

◦ Plugin Architectures (AU, VST3, AAX, LV2).

• Guitar player or an active interest in music technology

• An understanding of:

◦ Audio and low-voltage control electronics

◦ PCB design

◦ The wider Musical Instruments industry

• Qualified to degree level or above in Computer Science or related field

Personality

• Strong team player.

• Excellent communication skills, both technical and personal.

• Enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude.

• Able to work to deadlines, with exceptional time management.

• Methodical approach, and able to work independently on large projects.

• We’re a small team in a small company; you should have a flexible approach to your role and be willing to assist in various departments and activities when required.

The Offer

• Primarily office-based in Northampton, UK, with some opportunity for hybrid working.

• Full time 8.00 – 17.00, Monday – Friday.

• Competitive salary based on experience.

• Excellent career progression and learning opportunities.

• Workplace pension.

• Private mental health support.