Principal Engineer, Perceptual & Workflow Validation (m/f/d)

Location: Garching, Bavaria, Germany; onsite engineering position.

Company

hirify.global develops automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation technologies across audio and connected technology platforms.

What you will do

• Serve as the expert alpha validator embedded in development teams and provide actionable perceptual feedback during feature maturation.
• Identify subtle system-level artifacts, parameter interaction issues, workflow friction, and systemic audio quality problems.
• Lead perceptual validation strategies across complex projects and release trains.
• Design and oversee formal listening experiments, including controlled comparisons and statistically supported evaluations.
• Define best practices for workflow integrity validation and perceptual certification.
• Mentor team members and collaborate with benchmarking and user research teams on broader evaluations.

Requirements

• 10+ years of professional experience in audio engineering, tuning, mastering, or an equivalent high-level domain.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Sound Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing, or an equivalent field.
• Advanced listening expertise, including the ability to detect subtle artifacts and complex interaction effects.
• Strong understanding of DSP behavior and its perceptual consequences.
• Experience guiding development teams, influencing cross-functional stakeholders, and resolving complex quality issues.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills in technically complex environments.

Nice to have

• Experience conducting statistically rigorous listening studies or applied audio research.
• Background in psychoacoustics, automotive audio, or embedded audio systems.
• Experience mentoring or leading technical specialists.
• Experience with benchmarking or large-scale listener panel methodologies.
• Valid driver’s license and proficiency in the local language.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive work environment supporting career development, professional training, and collaboration.
• Flexible work environment focused on work-life integration.
• Salary package based on the Metall & Elektro Tarif Baden-Württemberg.
• Employer contribution toward a company pension plan.
• Technical training, leadership academies, talent management programs, employee discounts, and recognition rewards.