Audio Systems Engineer

Spectraforce Technologies - Redmond, WA

Full-time - Mid Level

Redmond, WA

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

Reality Labs Research at [Company Name] brings together a world-class team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today. In particular, the Reality Labs Research Audio team is focused on two goals; creating virtual sounds that are perceptually indistinguishable from reality, and redefining human hearing. These two initiatives will allow us to connect people by allowing them to feel together despite being physically apart and allow them to converse in even the most difficult listening environments. We are looking for an Audio Systems Engineer to build signal processing prototypes, conduct acoustic measurements, calibrate recording and playback systems, process acoustic data, and assist auditory perception experiments, and develop relevant methods and tools leveraging scientific coding skills and expertise in audio signal processing, audio hardware systems, machine learning, and acoustics. This role will involve working closely with research scientists to optimize and integrate cutting-edge research into prototypes that demonstrate value and guide the roadmaps of future AR/VR products. The engineer will develop prototypes, systems, and user interfaces for audio signal processing using MaxMSP, Python, and MATLAB, while also analyzing and improving the performance of data acquisition systems for audio research. The ideal candidate will collaborate in a team environment across multiple scientific and engineering disciplines, making the architectural trade-offs required to rapidly deliver software solutions. They will be responsible for writing clean, readable code, debugging complex problems that span systems, prioritizing ruthlessly, and getting things done with a high level of efficiency. Additionally, the engineer will write technical reports describing research results and methodologies, contributing to the overall knowledge base of the team.

Responsibilities

• Work side by side with research scientists to optimize and integrate cutting edge research into prototypes that demonstrate value and guide roadmaps of future AR/VR products.
• Develop prototypes, systems, and user interfaces for audio signal processing using MaxMSP, Python, and MATLAB.
• Analyze and improve the performance of data acquisition systems for audio research.
• Collaborate in a team environment across multiple scientific and engineering disciplines, making the architectural trade-offs required to rapidly deliver software solutions.
• Write clean readable code, debug complex problems that span systems, prioritize ruthlessly and get things done with a high level of efficiency.
• Write technical reports describing research results and methodologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical field with 3+ years of industry experience in audio technology development, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years experience in building audio or VR prototypes.
• 3+ years of programming experience in MaxMSP and Python or MATLAB for audio applications.
• Strong understanding and experience in audio signal processing.

Nice-to-haves

• PhD
• Strong understanding of MAX MSP would be excellent- not only an artist but using it technically
• Strong audio components
• Expertise in real-time audio coding in C/C++
• Expertise in psychoacoustics, auditory perception, spatial audio, room acoustics, and physical acoustics.
• Experience using PyTorch or other machine-learning frameworks.
• Experience with prototype hardware devices.
• Experience with motion tracking systems.
• Experience with large-scale automated data collection and analysis.
• Experience designing and setting up acoustic laboratory spaces.
• Experience with live sound, studio recording, and/or physical acoustic setup.
• Experience working in cross-functional, inter-disciplinary environments.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality technical reports and/or publications.