Embedded Audio Engineer

Embedded Audio Engineer
Research and Development
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.
See our website for more info.
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