Senior Software Engineer - Firmware + Audio

Audio Subsystem, Windows Surface Devices  Are you passionate about creating cutting-edge devices? The Surface Team is dedicated to building powerful devices that empower individuals and organizations. We're currently working on the next generation of Surface products, and we need talented engineers like you!  We are seeking a Senior Software Engineer with deep expertise in audio subsystems to own end-to-end audio delivery on Windows-based Surface devices. In this role, you will be the technical authority driving audio bring-up, driver ingestion, quality, and validation across flagship Surface programs - from early platform bring-up. You will architect solutions across the hardware-firmware-driver-APO boundary, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate closely with silicon partners, audio processing vendors, and cross-functional teams to deliver a world-class audio experience on premium consumer hardware.   Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Technical ownership of the audio subsystem for flagship Surface programs, driving milestone exit criteria and ensuring zero-regression driver ingestions.  Architect and design audio solutions spanning the full stack: hardware endpoints -> DSP firmware -> kernel drivers -> APO pipeline -> user-mode services.  Lead audio bring-up and endpoint validation on new platforms, including speaker, microphone, headset jack, SoundWire, and Bluetooth audio paths.  Develop, debug, and maintain Windows audio/media class drivers (WDM/WDF) and Audio Processing Objects (APOs) in the silicon audio stack (DSP RPC, Audio Core, APO).  Drive partner engagements - coordinate driver ingestion cycles with silicon and IHV partners; validate, triage, and qualify driver packages before integration.  Own root-cause analysis of complex audio quality issues (crackling, glitching, latency, distortion) using hardware-level analysers, DSP diagnostics, and Windows audio traces (WPR/WPA, AudioDG, MFTrace).  Integrate and validate third-party audio processing pipelines (DAX, Microsoft Effect Pack, Voice Clarity) within the Windows APO chain.  Mentor and grow team members - conduct code reviews, establish debugging best practices, and distribute domain knowledge across the team.  Drive SelfHost stability and audio backlog resolution, proactively identifying systemic issues and unblocking critical paths.  Collaborate on voice platform strategy, including integration of AI/ML-powered audio features (noise suppression, echo cancellation, speech enhancement).  Champion engineering excellence - introduce automation for repetitive validation, improve triage workflows, and raise the team's technical bar.  Participate in secure development practices (SFI), closing critical security bugs within SLA and designing for security by default.

Required/Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 10+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python. OR equivalent experience. 10+ years of experience in software development with 4+ years focused on audio/media driver or subsystem development on Windows or embedded platforms.  Expert proficiency in C/C++ with extensive experience writing and debugging Windows kernel-mode drivers (WDM/WDF).  Deep understanding of the Windows audio architecture - audio engine, APO framework, endpoint management, media class drivers, and audio policy.  Proven experience working with DSP-based audio subsystems (Qualcomm ADSP, or similar), including