--- title: 'Audio Systems Engineer, Robot Head at 1X' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/audio-systems-engineer-robot-head-1x-san-carlos-a5vyy868xr3e' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-13' --- # Audio Systems Engineer, Robot Head at 1X - **Company:** [1X](https://feeny.ai/companies/1x) - **Location:** San Carlos, CA - **Compensation:** $138k–$240k - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** onsite - **Posted:** 2026-06-17 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13 - **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/1x/fbe6dc39-da2e-4d64-a660-f9a38454a93e/application **Skills:** Audio hardware design, Acoustics, Electroacoustic system integration, Microphone systems, Speaker systems, Signal chains, Audio measurement equipment, Audio validation equipment, Real-time audio streaming, Digital signal processing, Noise reduction, Audio enhancement, Speech capture optimization, Embedded systems, Firmware development, Machine learning techniques for audio processing, Consumer electronics product development, Factory-level audio test systems, Manufacturing validation processes, Voice interaction systems > Own the audio hardware and firmware systems for humanoid robots, designing and integrating microphone and speaker systems. Partner with software teams to optimize speech recognition, localization, and communication capabilities for real-world home environments. ## Job description ## 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. ## About 1X ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: 1X develops general-purpose humanoid robots for home and industrial environments, combining AI and hardware to automate everyday tasks. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series B funding stage) - **Headquarters**: Palo Alto, California, United States - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founders**: Bernt Øyvind Børnich ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Robotics Engineering / Artificial Intelligence - **Target customers**: B2C (home consumers via NEO) and B2B/Enterprise (industrial tasks via EVE) - **Mission**: Build a truly abundant society through general-purpose robots capable of performing any kind of work autonomously, allowing humans to focus on what they love. ## Products & Services - **NEO**: A friendly home humanoid robot designed to integrate seamlessly into daily life and handle chores. Currently in early access after the NEO Beta (2024) and NEO Gamma (2025) iterations. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about) - **EVE**: A wheeled industrial humanoid deployed in factories worldwide for autonomous industrial tasks. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about) - **Revo1**: A high-torque-to-weight drive servo motor inspired by human tendon actuation, used in 1X robots. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about) - **1X World Model**: A physics-grounded video model that enables NEO to learn autonomously from text or voice commands. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies) ## Market Standing - **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total funding of $169M as of mid-2026, with a $100M Series B led by EQT Ventures in January 2024. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: EQT Ventures (lead), plus other investors in secondary rounds. Acquired Kind Humanoid in January 2025. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies) - **Growth Signals**: - Headcount grew 121.2% YoY to 394 employees. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies) - Full-scale production of NEO began in Hayward, CA, with capacity to build 10,000 units per year. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies) - New Palo Alto HQ consolidated teams from Sunnyvale and Moss, Norway. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies) - Appointed Mohi Khansari as Head of Robot Learning (January 2026) and Vikram Kothari as VP of Operations (August 2025). [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies) ## Competitive Advantages - **Vertical integration**: Owns manufacturing in Hayward (U.S.) and Moss (Norway), controlling the full production stack. - **Proprietary hardware**: Revo1 servo motor offers world-leading torque-to-weight ratio, enabling flexible, low-gear-ratio robotics. - **AI-first approach**: The 1X World Model allows robots to learn physical tasks via simulation and self-supervised video prediction, reducing need for manual programming. - **Early home deployment**: NEO is one of the first humanoid robots entering private homes, giving 1X real-world data and feedback loops. ## Strategic Focus - Scaling NEO production and expanding early access to more households across the U.S. - Enhancing AI capabilities through the World Model and reinforcement learning (e.g., Redwood mobility controller). - Building a robust supply chain and service network for home robots. - Continuing enterprise deployments of EVE while shifting emphasis to the consumer market. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Fast-paced, mission-driven environment focused on building humanoid robots that coexist with humans. Strong emphasis on AI, hardware, and real-world impact. - **Work model**: Likely on-site for hardware and AI roles (multiple offices in Palo Alto, San Carlos, Sunnyvale, Hayward, and Moss). Some software roles may offer flexibility. - **Notable perks**: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge robotics and AI, contribute to a product (NEO) that is already entering homes, and be part of a rapidly scaling company with strong funding. - **Engineering culture**: High concentration of talent from Tesla, Apple, Google, and SpaceX. Active research in biomechanics, reinforcement learning, and simulation. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/1x-technologies) - **Open roles**: 65+ positions listed on the careers page across AI, hardware, software, operations, and manufacturing. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/careers) ## Sources 1. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/about) 2. [1x.tech](https://www.1x.tech/careers) 3. 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