DSP Software Engineer

About the role

Job Title: DSP Software Engineer

Job Description

This role leads the design, development, and testing of firmware and real-time embedded software for complex audio communication products. You will provide technical leadership across embedded firmware, hardware/software integration, and system-level design, while driving process improvements, automation, and operational excellence. The position combines hands-on technical work with strategic engineering management, ensuring products meet high standards of reliability, compliance, and performance.

Responsibilities

Lead firmware and real-time embedded software development for complex audio communication products, ensuring robust, high-quality solutions.

Own and manage continuation engineering activities, including maintenance releases and long-term product support for existing products.

Collaborate closely with Product Management and engineering teams to define requirements, prioritize product backlogs, and align technical execution with business objectives.

Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes, CI/CD pipelines, development toolchains, and automated test systems to enhance quality and efficiency.

Provide technical leadership in embedded firmware design, hardware/software integration, and complex system-level design challenges.

Monitor project schedules, technical risks, team performance, and resource utilization to ensure successful and timely project execution.

Lead staffing, budgeting, recruiting, coaching, performance management, and career development for firmware engineering team members.

Support product roadmap planning, technology evaluations, and innovation initiatives while proactively identifying and mitigating technical risks.

Work closely with Manufacturing and Quality teams to improve product reliability, compliance, manufacturability, and operational efficiency.

Interface with customers, senior leadership, and cross-functional teams to communicate technical solutions, development status, and project risks clearly and effectively.

Ensure adherence to engineering processes, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices for embedded firmware development.

Champion organizational change and growth by promoting modern development practices, automation, and cross-functional collaboration.

Explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences in a clear and understandable manner.

Apply knowledge of EMI/ESD mitigation, EMC compliance, grounding techniques, and international safety standards when designing and supporting products.

Travel domestically and internationally (approximately 5%) to support product development, collaboration, and customer engagements as needed.

Essential Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering is required.

Minimum 10 years of software/firmware development experience, including work on complex real-time embedded systems.

At least 5 years of engineering management experience leading firmware development teams and establishing processes for firmware development.

Strong expertise in embedded firmware development using C and C++.

Proficiency in Python for scripting, automation, and tooling related to embedded software development.

Hands-on experience with Linux in embedded and development environments.

Experience working in DevOps environments and using GitLab for source control, CI/CD, and collaboration.

Proven track record with Agile development methodologies and iterative software delivery.

Experience designing and maintaining CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks for embedded software.

Deep understanding of embedded systems, real-time constraints, and hardware/software integration.

Very strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to complex technical and system-level challenges.

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across functions and present technical information clearly.

Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including team building, mentoring, and organizational development.

Ability to manage technical risk, prioritize work, and drive projects to completion.

Ability to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 5%).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Master’s degree in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field is preferred.

Experience with digital signal processing (DSP) and algorithm development for audio or communication systems.

Background in signal processing and real-time embedded DSP implementations.

Experience with digital audio technologies and audio communication systems.

Knowledge of networking technologies and their integration with embedded hardware/firmware systems.

Familiarity with Cloud Computing concepts and integration of embedded systems with cloud services.

Experience with HTML and Qt for user interface or tool development is a plus.

Experience using Simulink or similar modeling tools in an electrical or embedded systems context.

Knowledge of EMI/ESD mitigation techniques, EMC compliance requirements, grounding strategies, and international safety standards.

Experience developing products in a multi-disciplinary environment involving hardware, software, manufacturing, and quality.

Core competencies in technical leadership and strategic thinking, particularly in embedded and firmware domains.

Demonstrated ability to drive and champion change and growth within an engineering organization.

Strong customer and stakeholder communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Experience in process improvement and operational excellence initiatives within engineering teams.

Work Environment

This role operates within a high-tech engineering environment focused on advanced audio communication and embedded systems. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including hardware, software, manufacturing, and quality, using modern development tools and technologies such as C, C++, Python, Linux, GitLab, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks. The environment emphasizes Agile methodologies, DevOps practices, and continuous improvement of engineering processes and toolchains. Work involves both individual technical contributions and collaborative problem-solving, with occasional domestic and international travel (approximately 5%) to support projects and customer interactions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Burnsville, MN.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $70.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a hybrid position in Burnsville,MN. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Oct 1, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.