Firmware Engineer, Bluetooth Audio (Contractor)

Overview

MistyWest is actively building a contractor and contract-to-hire pool for Firmware Engineers, with an immediate need for a Bluetooth Audio Expert. You will help ship and debug Bluetooth audio products end-to-end, from low-level logs through profiles, codecs, and audio pipelines. 

About MistyWest

MistyWest is a hardware engineering consultancy creating new technologies that support a healthier planet and shared prosperity, with a focus on projects aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Enable, configure, and debug Bluetooth Classic audio features across A2DP, HFP, AVRCP and codec negotiation
• Diagnose and resolve audio quality and latency issues using HCI logs, UART traces, protocol sniffers, and packet loss or latency analysis
• Build and debug audio pipelines including buffering, clocking, latency, DSP decode/mix, mic routing, and sidetone
• Support headset and gaming use cases such as simultaneous audio + mic and low-latency paths
• Make architecture decisions and tradeoffs, including SoC-only vs host-controlled, and dongle-based vs console integration
• Drive interoperability, certification, and cross-platform stability across Android, Windows, and consoles

Collaborate with hardware and test teams to debug in-lab using oscilloscopes, DMMs, and logic analyzers when needed

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering/Science or Systems Engineering
• 5 to 15 years of relevant firmware/embedded experience
• Deep understanding of Bluetooth Classic audio:
• A2DP, HFP, AVRCP
• Codecs: SBC, aptX family, FastStream
• Experience shipping products on Qualcomm/CSR Bluetooth audio SoCs
• QCC30xx / QCC51xx / QCC52xx
• Strong low-level debugging skills:
• HCI logs, UART, protocol sniffers
• Packet loss and latency analysis
• Familiarity with Qualcomm SDKs, RTOS, audio frameworks, and DSP tooling
• Strong embedded development practices and version control (for example Git, pull requests)
• Practical troubleshooting mindset, including cross-platform issue debugging (Android, Windows, consoles)
• Comfort working on-site in Vancouver as required for lab-based work

Core Embedded Skills (Expected)

• Embedded systems experience (for example ARM microcontrollers, RTOS, freeRTOS)
• Proficiency with embedded debugging tools (for example terminal tools, gdb, JTAG)
• Ability to debug circuits using lab tools (for example oscilloscopes, DMMs, logic analyzers)
• Understanding of analog and digital design basics
• Rapid prototyping experience (for example Arduino, Raspberry Pi, TI Launchpad)

Nice-to-have

• Embedded Linux experience (for example BusyBox, Yocto) and understanding of the Linux driver model (device tree, kernel config, modules)
• Hands-on Bluetooth SIG certification / PTS experience and real-world interoperability problem solving
• Wired/wireless protocol experience (USB, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth Mesh, cellular such as 4G, LTE CAT M1, NB IoT)
• CAD exposure for schematic/PCB work (preference for Altium)
• FPGA exposure (Verilog)
• Python or other scripting for test, tooling, or automation
• Hands-on soldering and test instrumentation experience

How to Apply

Submit your resume and, where applicable, a link to previous work or shipped products. Include your availability for the next 2 to 4 weeks (start date, weekly hours, and on-site availability).

Benefits

Highly flexible: negotiate your own rates, hours, and work location.