Job Requirements
At Quest Global, it's not just what we do but how and why we do it that makes us different. With over 25 years as an engineering services provider, we believe in the power of doing things differently to make the impossible possible. Our people are driven by the desire to make the world a better placeto make a positive difference that contributes to a brighter future. We bring together technologies and industries, alongside the contributions of diverse individuals who are empowered by an intentional workplace culture, to solve problems better and faster.
Role Summary
We are hiring a Senior Firmware Engineer with strong ownership and deep technical expertise in building and optimizing firmware for audio products like earbuds, headphones, and smart speakers. The ideal candidate has 8+ years of experience developing embedded systems on Qualcomm, Bluetrum, Jieli, Airoha, Realtek, or similar audio-centric SoCs.
You will drive the firmware architecture across Bluetooth (Classic/BLE/LE-Audio), Audio DSP pipelines (ANC, ENC, EQ), microphone arrays, speakers, and optional Wi-Fi subsystems, ensuring world-class performance, stability, and low power consumption across our audio product portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Firmware Architecture & Development
- Architect and develop firmware for audio products (earbuds, headphones, speakers) on Qualcomm QCC/QCS series, Bluetrum BT/BLE audio SoCs, Jieli AC-series, Airoha AB-series, Realtek audio SoCs or equivalent
- Implement and optimize drivers, BSP, HAL layers, and RTOS-based application frameworks.
- Develop system services for Audio routing and switching, Bluetooth stack integration, Multi-mic processing, Battery, charging, PMU control, Touch/gesture/physical button inputs
Audio DSP Pipeline Development
- Develop and integrate DSP algorithms on SoCs with proprietary cores (Qualcomm Kalimba DSP, Bluetrum DSP, Jieli DSP, Airoha DSP) with
- ANC (Feedforward/Feedback/Hybrid), ENC, Beamforming, Wind Noise Reduction, EQ Filters (FIR/IIR), Bass enhancement, spatial audio, 3D audio
- Configure and tune I2S/TDM, multi-channel capture/playback, Audio codecs (AAC, SBC, aptX, LDAC, LC3)
Bluetooth Stack Integration
- Implement and debug Bluetooth stack components:
- Bluetooth Classic: A2DP, HFP, HSP, AVRCP
- BLE: GATT, custom services
- LE Audio: LC3, Broadcast Audio, Multi-Stream Audio
- Deep understanding of BT RF behavior, coexistence, Link layer events, sniff modes, power states
- Vendor-specific controller and host stack customization
Wi-Fi Stack Integration
- Integrate Wi-Fi stack and connectivity modules:
- Wi-Fi 4/5/6/6E (2.4/5/6 GHz)
- WPS, WPA2/WPA3, provisioning flows
- Develop firmware for Multi-room audio protocols
- Optimize coexistence between Wi-Fi + Bluetooth
System-Level Power, Performance & Stability
Optimize system-level power using C-states, clock gating, sleep modes, DVFS, PMIC configuration Adaptive audio routing & sidetone optimization Ultra-low-power performance for TWS earbuds (<= 5 mA typical active system consumption), Smart speakers with always-on voice triggers
TWS (True Wireless Stereo) Experience
- TWS pairing logic (left-right role switching)
- Packet synchronization
- Latency reduction mechanisms
- Robust channel switching & reconnection flows
Testing, Debugging, Tools
- Use advanced debugging tools like JTAG/SWD, logic analyzers, BT sniffers, RF testers,
- Run performance and stress tests for Audio stability, BT link robustness, Multi-device pairing, Battery run-time & standby tests
Required Skills & Experience
- 8+ years in embedded firmware development for consumer audio electronics.
- Strong proficiency in C/C++, embedded architectures, and RTOS-based systems (FreeRTOS, ThreadX, proprietary RTOS used in BT SoCs).
- Hands-on experience with at least one major audio SoC platform Qualcomm (QCC/QCS series), Bluetrum, Jieli (AC69x/AC79x), Airoha (AB-series), Realtek RTL87xx
- Deep understanding of:
- Bluetooth protocol stack (Classic, BLE, LE Audio)
- Audio DSP frameworks
- Multi-mic processing and beamforming
- I2S/TDM, PCM, SPDIF
- OTA update systems
- Strong background in audio signal flow, latency tuning, and low power optimization.
Education
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Embedded Systems, Computer Engineering, or Computer Science.
We are known for our extraordinary people who make the impossible possible every day. Questians are driven by hunger, humility, and aspiration. We believe that our company culture is the key to our ability to make a true difference in every industry we reach. Our teams regularly invest time and dedicated effort into internal culture work, ensuring that all voices are heard.
We wholeheartedly believe in the diversity of thought that comes with fostering a culture rooted in respect, where everyone belongs, is valued, and feels inspired to share their ideas. We know embracing our unique differences makes us better, and that solving the worlds hardest engineering problems requires diverse ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds. We shine the brightest when we tap into the many dimensions that thrive across over 21,000 difference-makers in our workplace.
