Senior DSP Audio Engineer & Project Lead
Position: Senior DSP Audio Engineer & Project Lead
Office Location: Shenzhen / Hong Kong (China)
Contract: Full-time
About Safehear
Safehear is a deep-tech audio startup building the next generation of hearing protection and communication systems for extreme noise environments.
In factories, construction sites, tunnels or industrial plants, people are forced to choose between: protecting their hearing or communicating effectively. We believe this trade-off should no longer exist.
At Safehear, we design AI-powered embedded audio technologies that allow teams to hear, speak and stay safe at the same time, even in the harshest acoustic conditions.
A few facts
· 6 years of deep-tech R&D
· $4M invested in audio & AI technologies
· 35+ major European industrial customers
· Team of 10, split between France and China
· Strong academic roots, supported by CNRS and INRIA
· Industrial backing from partners such as STMicroelectronics
Our vision
To help people working in noisy environments recover the full potential of their hearing — not by amplifying noise, but by intelligently filtering, enhancing and understanding sound, directly on embedded devices.
We are building the future of augmented hearing for industry.
The Role
We are seeking an experienced DSP Audio Engineer with a strong background in product architecture and project management. This is a hybrid role for a hands-on expert who can not only develop sophisticated audio algorithms but also lead hardware projects, manage external suppliers for PCB design, and drive the product development lifecycle. You will be a key player in our new Shenzhen office, working directly with the Founder & CTO and our international teams to build the next generation of smart audio devices.
Your work will be at the forefront of innovation, focusing on two critical areas:
1 Implementing next-generation augmented hearing and speech enhancement algorithms on ultra-low-power Neural Processing Units (NPUs) for on-device AI.
2 Designing and optimizing high-performance audio filtering chains on industry-leading DSPs (e.g., Analog Devices) for crystal-clear sound.
Key Responsibilities
• Algorithm Development: Design, implement, and optimize advanced audio processing algorithms (noise reduction, AEC, beamforming...) in C/C++ for embedded systems.
• Project & Product Management: Lead the technical development of new audio products from concept to production. Define product architecture, manage timelines, and coordinate with external partners for electronics and PCB manufacturing.
• System Architecture: Make critical decisions on software and hardware architecture, including component selection for DSPs and NPUs.
• International Collaboration: Serve as a vital link between our R&D in Europe and our operations in Asia, ensuring seamless execution of our technology roadmap.
Your Profile
• Experience: 5+ years in embedded DSP development with a strong focus on audio algorithms.
• Hybrid Expertise: Proven track record in both hands-on audio engineering and project/product management. Experience in electronics and managing hardware suppliers is essential.
• Technical Skills:
◦ Expert in C/C++ for real-time embedded systems.
◦ Deep knowledge of DSP architectures (e.g., Analog Devices) and audio processing pipelines.
◦ Familiarity with running AI models on edge devices (NPUs) is a major plus.
• Languages: Fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and English is mandatory.
• Mindset: A passionate, proactive leader who thrives in a fast-paced startup environment. You are a strategic thinker, ready to take ownership and shape the future of a game-changing product.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to have a major impact within a pioneering company. You will work on intense, cutting-edge technology projects and grow with a dynamic international team. If you are a leader who is passionate about building the future of audio technology, we want to hear from you.
To Apply: Please send your resume and a brief cover letter to us ). We look forward to discovering your talent.
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