Lead Architect - Unified Communications & Collaboration (UC&C)

Acuity Inc•Dallas, IN

9d•Remote

About The Position

QSC is seeking a Lead Architect to be a key engineering leader for their Unified Communications & Collaboration (UC&C) hardware and software portfolio, which includes Audio, Video, and Control domains. This senior role is for an individual with extensive experience at the intersection of conferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and the certified hardware/software products that run on them. The Lead Architect will be responsible for defining system architectures, contributing to hardware and software requirements, and serving as the technical authority to guide engineering and product teams through the evolving UC landscape. The role requires comfort with architecture reviews, certification labs, and discussions with product management regarding tradeoffs and roadmaps. Technical expertise will be crucial for leading teams through UC certification efforts and defining broader solution-level test strategies. While this role does not have direct reports, it is expected to influence, mentor, and guide engineers across the organization.

Requirements

10+ years of relevant industry experience in audio/video/collaboration hardware and software development.
Direct prior experience at a company that designed, built, and certified Teams and/or Zoom conferencing devices (e.g., cameras, speakerphones, room systems, docking/USB peripherals, or similar collaboration endpoints).
Deep, current knowledge of Microsoft Teams and Zoom device certification programs, hardware specifications, and platform requirements.
Strong architectural background across Audio and Video signal chains, including: Video: USB Video Class (UVC), HDMI/HDCP, camera ISP pipelines, video codecs; Audio: USB Audio Class (UAC), DSP and acoustic echo cancellation (AEC)/noise suppression, Bluetooth audio; Networking/streaming: SIP, RTP/RTCP, PoE.
Working knowledge of Control system integration (RS-232/IP control, third-party control system ecosystems).
Hands-on familiarity with Windows platform integration (Windows IoT / Windows for Teams Rooms) and Android platform integration under Microsoft's Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP).
Demonstrated experience defining hardware and software requirements from certification specifications.
Proven ability to operate as a technical consultant/advisor across engineering, QA, and product management functions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience presenting architecture and technical tradeoffs to both engineering and business stakeholders.
BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience leading or participating in formal Teams and/or Zoom certification lab engagements.
Familiarity with embedded Linux platforms in collaboration endpoints.
Experience with broader UC solution testing beyond individual device certification (multi-device, room-scale, or interoperability testing).
Experience mentoring engineers or acting as a technical lead without formal management authority.
Familiarity with USB-IF, HDMI Forum, and Bluetooth SIG specifications relevant to AV peripherals.

Responsibilities

Continuously track Microsoft Teams and Zoom platform, hardware, and certification specifications, translating changes into actionable impacts on hardware and software roadmaps.
Lead the specification and design of end-to-end system architectures across Audio, Video, and Control subsystems for products built for interoperability with UC platforms.
Establish and document hardware and software requirements that satisfy Teams/Zoom certification programs, customer needs, and internal product goals.
Provide technical input into product management decisions, helping shape feature tradeoffs, roadmap sequencing, and platform investment priorities.
Develop a working understanding of the customer base and market landscape; partner with, and advocate for, product management by translating customer requirements and use-cases into terms the development team and engineering leadership can act on.
Provide clear guidance to engineering and QA on certification test requirements; when needed, formally own and lead Teams and Zoom certification submissions and lab engagements from planning through sign-off.
Act as a trusted technical consultant to design and engineering teams across the product portfolio, reviewing architecture and design decisions for compliance, performance, and manufacturability.
Provide architectural guidance across Audio and Video subsystems as primary areas of depth, with working knowledge of Control system integration (serial, IP-based, and third-party control ecosystems).
Guide integration efforts for Windows-based platforms (Windows IoT / Windows for Teams Rooms) and Android-based platforms under Microsoft's Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP), ensuring compliance with OEM certification requirements.
Periodically help define broader solution and system-level test plans that go beyond individual certification requirements.