Audio Systems Engineer, Robot Head

Employer description

About 1XWe’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 TeamThe 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 CharterOwn 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 OutcomesDeliver 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 CompetenciesDeep 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 RequirementsBachelor’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 SkillsExperience 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

BenefitsComprehensive 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 Employer1X 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.