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Embedded Audio Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Senior Firmware Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop and optimize embedded audio pipelines including low‑latency streaming, microphone ... Develop factory programming, calibration, provisioning, and manufacturing test systems. * Develop ...

Senior Firmware Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop and optimize embedded audio pipelines including low-latency streaming, microphone ... Develop factory programming, calibration, provisioning, and manufacturing test systems. * Develop ...

Senior Embedded Software Engineer

San Clemente, CA · On-site

$132K - $173K/yr

Our mission is to create audio experiences that are heard, not seen. For over 40 years, we have ... Your Mission As a Senior Embedded Software Engineer, you will define and own the embedded firmware ...

Showing results 21-40

Embedded Audio Engineer information

See California salary details

$61.7K

$135.5K

$189.5K

How much do embedded audio engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for embedded audio engineer in California is $135,476.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $110,000.00 and $161,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an embedded audio engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Embedded Audio Engineer, you need expertise in digital signal processing (DSP), embedded systems design, C/C++ programming, and a strong foundation in audio engineering principles, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, embedded Linux/RTOS environments, and platforms like ARM or DSP processors, as well as audio measurement equipment, is typically required. Strong teamwork, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for success in this collaborative technical field. These abilities are essential to design, implement, and optimize audio solutions that meet project specifications, quality standards, and customer needs in a multidisciplinary engineering environment.

Are embedded audio engineers in demand?

Embedded audio engineers are in demand due to the growth of consumer electronics, automotive systems, and IoT devices that require specialized audio processing. Skills in digital signal processing, programming, and familiarity with embedded systems like ARM or FPGA are highly valued in this field.

Is there a demand for embedded audio engineers?

Embedded audio engineers are in demand due to the growth of consumer electronics, automotive systems, and IoT devices that require integrated audio solutions. Skills in digital signal processing, hardware design, and familiarity with embedded systems are highly valued in this field.

What are typical projects or responsibilities for an embedded audio engineer on a daily basis?

As an Embedded Audio Engineer, your daily responsibilities often include designing and implementing audio processing algorithms, integrating and testing embedded audio software on hardware platforms, and conducting performance and quality assessments. You might collaborate closely with hardware engineers, product designers, and QA teams to ensure seamless integration and optimal sound quality. Troubleshooting audio anomalies, refining software builds, and documenting your work are also frequent tasks. These varied responsibilities allow you to develop both technical depth and teamwork skills while directly contributing to innovative audio products.

What does an embedded audio engineer do?

An Embedded Audio Engineer designs, develops, and optimizes audio processing software and firmware for embedded systems, such as consumer electronics, automotive infotainment, and professional audio devices. They work with digital signal processing (DSP), real-time operating systems (RTOS), and hardware integration to ensure high-quality audio performance. Their role involves coding in languages like C/C++, debugging low-level system interactions, and collaborating with hardware and software teams to implement efficient audio solutions.

What are the most commonly searched types of Embedded Audio Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Embedded Audio Engineer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Embedded Audio Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,476 per year, or $65.1 per hour.

Perceptual Audio Engineer (Research)

Harman International Industries

Northridge, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

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.
Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Corporate
We're a global, multi-disciplinary team that's putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate, you are integral to our company's award-winning success.
  • Enrich your managerial and organizational talents - from finance, quality, and supply chain to human resources, IT, sales, and strategy
  • Augment your comprehensive skillset with expert training across decision-making, change management, leadership, and business development
  • Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle, from early-stage to seasoned leader

About the Role
The Perceptual Audio Engineer (Research) develops the metrics, methods, and evaluation frameworks that connect algorithms to what users actually perceive. You will design listening tests, create perceptual datasets, develop objective and ML-based metrics, and establish quality gates so products can ship without perceptual regressions. Success means that we understand how create a desired perceptual goal in varying environments and just make it work for every customer.
What You Will Do
  • Metrics & Methods Development: Create perceptual metrics and evaluation methodologies that correlate with human preference and quality judgments (timbre, artifacts, clarity, spatial realism, comfort/fatigue).
  • User Testing & Listening Studies: Design and execute subjective evaluations (ABX, preference tests, rating studies), including stimulus generation, panel guidance, statistical analysis, and repeatability.
  • AI/ML-Enabled Evaluation: Where beneficial, develop ML-based quality prediction or artifact detection that supports rapid iteration (embedded-viable where relevant; cloud-viable for batch evaluation).
  • Perception-to-Product Gatekeeping: Define acceptance criteria and regression tests so OneUX productization can enforce "no perceptual regressions" in CI-style workflows.
  • Data & Experiment Discipline: Build and maintain clean datasets, labeling strategies, metadata, and experiment tracking so results are trustworthy and reusable.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with DSP, acoustics, ML, and system testing roles to ensure metrics reflect real user value and cover edge cases.
  • AI Tools: Use AI tools to accelerate analysis and reporting while maintaining rigorous validation and traceability.

What You Need to Be Successful
  • Education: MS or PhD in EE/CS/Acoustics/Psychoacoustics/Statistics (or equivalent experience).
  • Experience: 5+ years in perceptual audio, audio quality evaluation, or related applied research/engineering.
  • Perception + Statistics: Strong understanding of psychoacoustics and statistical analysis for human-subject experiments. Experience in using and developing perceptual models.
  • Programming: Python and/or MATLAB for analysis and tooling; familiarity working with ML frameworks and basic DSP concepts.
  • AI Tools: Experience using AI-assisted tools for data analysis, scripting, and documentation in a reproducible workflow.

Bonus Points if You Have
  • Experience with perceptual evaluation for spatial audio, headphone tuning, or automotive cabin audio.
  • Experience creating objective metrics that become organizational standards and materially change decision-making speed/quality.
  • Familiarity with embedded deployment constraints for ML-based metrics.
  • Patents/publications in perceptual audio or audio quality evaluation.

What Makes You Eligible
  • Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).

What We Offer
  • Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
  • Access to employee discounts on world-class products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more)
  • Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
  • Competitive wellness benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program

An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development
#LI-DPWHITE1
#LI-hybrid
Salary Ranges:
$ 134,250 - $ 196,900
HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.