Speech and Audio Systems Engineer

Qualcomm • San Diego, CA

5d • $129,500 - $194,300

About The Position

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s Audio R&D/Systems team is seeking an engineer for its audio division in San Diego. The role involves maintaining and developing AI models and algorithms for speech enhancement, acoustic echo cancellation, neural beamforming, directional voice pickup, identity-based enhancement, distance-based speech isolation, and noise suppression. These technologies support voice interaction in humanoid robotics, automotive systems, and consumer devices.

The engineer will conduct research and develop deep learning-based approaches for speech enhancement, acoustic echo cancellation, and noise suppression. Applications include hands-free voice calls, zonal voice communications, voice control, keyword spotting, audio context and scene detection, source separation, and supervised speaker diarization. The team develops audio technology for handsets, headsets, IoT devices, automotive applications, and robotics.

The position calls for technical expertise in deep learning methods for audio, including CNNs, RNNs, and autoencoders, along with creativity in applying research to emerging robotics and automotive audio environments. The role works under some supervision, provides some guidance to others, and involves lab work, research prototyping, and communicating research findings through patents and publications.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related field and 2+ years of Systems Engineering or related work experience; or a master’s degree in one of these fields and 1+ year of related experience; or a PhD in one of these fields.
• M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science.
• Extensive knowledge of deep learning techniques, including CNNs, RNNs, autoencoders, and related audio or voice technologies.
• Technical expertise in state-of-the-art AI methodologies for tracking and speech enhancement.

Nice To Haves

• Strength in advanced signal processing, multi-rate signal processing, adaptive beamforming, and distributed microphone array processing for tracking and speech enhancement.
• Strong collaboration skills.
• Skilled communicator and organizer.
• Experience with Adobe Audition for audio analysis.
• Ability to work independently and proactively on research ideas.
• Publications in IEEE and other scholarly venues.
• Proficiency in PyTorch for AI model development, training, and data augmentation.
• Doctorate in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science with a relevant voice AI background.

Responsibilities

• Advance AI techniques for voice interaction in robotics and automotive applications.
• Conduct research in speech enhancement using linear and distributed microphone arrays.
• Use multi-microphone AI to detect talker count and directionality.
• Apply multi-rate and adaptive signal processing expertise.
• Prototype and demonstrate research concepts.
• File patents and publish papers on innovative research relevant to Qualcomm products.
• Maintain and develop AI models for speech enhancement, acoustic echo cancellation, neural beamforming, directional voice pickup, identity-based enhancement, distance-based speech isolation, and noise suppression.
• Develop algorithms for use cases including hands-free voice calls, zonal voice communications, voice control, keyword spotting, audio context and scene detection, source separation, and supervised speaker diarization.

Benefits

• Competitive annual discretionary bonus program.
• Opportunity for annual RSU grants, except for employees on sales-incentive plans.
• Competitive benefits package designed to support employees at work, at home, and at play.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level