Audio Systems Engineer, Robot Head
1X · San Carlos, United States · 3mo ago
About 1X
We’re building humanoid robots that work in home - doing the chores, handling the tasks, and giving people their time back. Simple, but it’s not.
To do this right, we have to solve robotics, AI, manufacturing - at the same time, at scale, in a form factor that has to be safe enough to live with your family. If you’re inspired by this, you’ll thrive here. We’ve been at this since 2014 and we’re at the point where the hard problems are behind us and the hard work is in front of us.
NEO is our flagship - a home robot designed to move, learn, and operate in the real world alongside real people. We’re not demoing it - we’re shipping it. We’re excited to meet you, if this excites you.
If you’ve spent your career working on problems that matter and want to see them actually reach the world - this is that moment. We’re scaling, we’re hiring with intention, and we need people who want to build something that will genuinely change how humans spend their time - safely creating abundance for all.
About the Team
The Robot Head team develops the sensing, interaction, and communication systems that allow NEO to understand and engage with people naturally. Audio is a critical component of human-robot interaction, enabling speech recognition, localization, communication, and environmental awareness in dynamic real-world environments.
This team works across hardware, firmware, machine learning, software, industrial design, and manufacturing to deliver robust audio experiences that perform reliably inside homes and alongside people. The systems you build will directly shape how humans interact with robots every day.
Your Charter
Own the audio hardware and firmware systems that enable seamless communication between humans and robots.
You will design, integrate, and optimize microphone and speaker systems while partnering closely with software teams developing signal processing, machine learning, and perception capabilities. Your work will span concept development, prototyping, validation, system integration, and production deployment, ensuring high-quality audio performance across diverse environments and operating conditions.
Your contributions will directly impact NEO's ability to hear, understand, and communicate effectively with the people around it.
Key Outcomes
Deliver microphone and speaker systems that achieve robust performance across real-world acoustic environments
Improve speech capture quality, localization accuracy, and overall audio reliability through iterative testing and optimization
Successfully integrate audio hardware with signal processing, VAD, DOA, noise suppression, and machine learning pipelines
Establish validation methodologies and performance metrics that support product readiness and production deployment
Drive audio system performance improvements through field testing, data analysis, and cross-functional engineering collaboration
Key Competencies
Deep understanding of audio hardware design, acoustics, and electroacoustic system integration
Strong hands-on engineering skills with the ability to prototype, test, debug, and validate hardware systems
Ability to bridge hardware and software domains, collaborating effectively on signal processing and machine learning workflows
Strong analytical mindset with experience interpreting performance data and driving design improvements
Excellent communication and collaboration skills across multidisciplinary engineering teams
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline
Extensive experience designing audio hardware systems, including microphones, speakers, and associated signal chains
Strong hands-on experience with audio measurement and validation equipment
Experience working with real-time audio streaming systems and digital signal processing techniques
Understanding of noise reduction, audio enhancement, and speech capture optimization methodologies
Ability to analyze test data and drive iterative improvements to system performance
Experience collaborating closely with software, electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing teams
Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality user experiences
Ability to work full-time on-site
Preferred Skills
Experience with embedded systems and firmware development fundamentals
Experience applying machine learning techniques to audio processing problems
Background developing consumer electronics products
Experience designing and supporting factory-level audio test systems and manufacturing validation processes
Familiarity with voice interaction systems, beamforming, speech enhancement, or audio perception technologies
Experience supporting products from prototype development through volume production
What does a successful 1X Team Member look like?
Team members at 1X who thrive here are builders. They move fast, own their work completely, and treat time like it’s the one thing you can’t get back - because it is. They say what they mean, finish what they start, and hold themselves to a standard before anyone has to ask. We push each other to be better, and we do it with honesty and respect.
Successful Audio Systems Engineers at 1X combine deep technical expertise with relentless curiosity about how humans communicate. They are equally comfortable tuning a microphone array in the lab, analyzing field data, collaborating with machine learning engineers, and debugging hardware prototypes. They understand that great audio systems emerge through rigorous testing, careful iteration, and close integration across hardware and software.
Compensation Range
$173,861 – $240,000 + Equity
Benefits
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Generous paid time off, company holidays, and parental leave
401(k) plan with company match (100% on the first 3% of contributions, 50% on the next 2%)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) options
Commuter benefits (transit and parking)
Short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, financial, and personal support
Onsite snacks and catered lunches
Equal Opportunity Employer
1X is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, military or veteran status, justice system impact, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.