Overview
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.
Responsibilities
- 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.
Qualifications
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 firmware-host interaction via RPC/IPC mechanisms.
Demonstrated ability to independently root-cause complex, cross-stack audio issues: hardware -> DSP firmware -> driver -> APO -> application.
Solid foundation in audio signal processing: sample rates, buffer management, latency tuning, DMA transfers, and audio streaming models.
Track record of shipping 3+ high-volume consumer products through full development cycles (bring-up to commercialization).
Expert debugging skills using WinDbg, WPR/WPA, bus analysers (I2S/SoundWire/I2C), and audio-specific diagnostics.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-team technical discussions and influence partner roadmaps.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with audio platforms (ADSP,APO) on ARM64/X86-based Windows devices.
- Deep familiarity with audio enhancement stacks: Dolby DAX/Atmos, Microsoft Effect Pack, Voice Clarity, or similar APO pipelines.
- Experience with Bluetooth audio profiles (A2DP, HFP, LE Audio) and USB Audio Class drivers.
- Exposure to AI/ML-powered audio features - noise reduction, echo cancellation, speech enhancement - and frameworks like ONNX Runtime, Whisper, or Azure AI.
- Experience building automation/tooling to accelerate driver validation, audio quality testing, or bug triage workflows.
- Familiarity with Surface device firmware, UEFI, and platform-level thermal/power interactions affecting audio performance.
- Prior experience mentoring engineers or leading a small technical team.
- Contributions to open-source audio projects or publications in audio/signal processing.
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This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about **requesting accommodations.**