Senior Software Engineer - Firmware + Audio

Responsibilities

• Own technical ownership of the audio subsystem for flagship Surface programs, ensuring high-quality driver ingestion and milestone achievement.
• Architect and design end-to-end audio solutions spanning hardware endpoints, DSP firmware, kernel drivers, and the APO pipeline.
• Lead audio bring-up and endpoint validation for new platforms, including speakers, microphones, and Bluetooth audio paths.
• Develop, debug, and maintain Windows audio/media class drivers (WDM/WDF) and Audio Processing Objects (APOs).
• Drive partner engagements by coordinating driver ingestion cycles with silicon and IHV partners.
• Perform root-cause analysis of complex audio quality issues using hardware analyzers and Windows audio traces (WPR/WPA).
• Mentor junior engineers through code reviews and the establishment of debugging best practices.
• Collaborate on voice platform strategies, including the integration of AI/ML-powered features like noise suppression and echo cancellation.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of technical engineering experience with professional coding proficiency in C or C++.
• 4+ years of experience focused on audio/media driver or subsystem development on Windows or embedded platforms.
• Expert proficiency in C/C++ with extensive experience debugging Windows kernel-mode drivers (WDM/WDF).
• Deep understanding of Windows audio architecture, including the audio engine, APO framework, and endpoint management.
• Proven experience working with DSP-based audio subsystems (e.g., Qualcomm ADSP) and firmware-host interaction.
• Demonstrated ability to root-cause complex, cross-stack audio issues from hardware through to the application layer.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with audio platforms (ADSP, APO) on ARM64 or x86-based Windows devices.
• Familiarity with audio enhancement stacks such as Dolby DAX/Atmos or Microsoft Effect Pack.
• Experience with Bluetooth audio profiles (A2DP, HFP, LE Audio) and USB Audio Class drivers.
• Exposure to AI/ML-powered audio features and frameworks like ONNX Runtime or Azure AI.
• Experience building automation and tooling to accelerate driver validation and bug triage.

About the Company

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. The Surface Team is dedicated to building powerful, cutting-edge devices that empower individuals and organizations through innovation and excellence.