Principal Engineer

About VolumioVolumio is a premium audio streaming company that has been pioneering high-fidelity music playback for over 10 years. We develop both hardware and software solutions that deliver audiophile-grade streaming experiences. Our latest innovation, CORRD, is an AI-driven music discovery platform that breaks users out of algorithmic bubbles by unifying multiple streaming services.We're a lean, technically-driven team of innovators based in Florence, passionate about delivering exceptional audio experiences through elegant software and hardware integration.The RoleWe're seeking an experienced Principal Engineer / Tech Lead to drive the technical evolution of Volumio's core platform. This is a senior, high-impact role at the intersection of backend systems, embedded Linux, and audio infrastructure. You will be responsible for shaping architecture, guiding technical decisions, and ensuring long-term scalability, performance, and audio integrity across Volumio's ecosystem.This role goes beyond implementation: you'll act as a technical reference for the team, work closely with product and leadership, and help define how Volumio's software platform evolves as our products and user base grow.What you'll doOwn and evolve the architecture of Volumio's core backend and system servicesLead the design of scalable, modular, and service-oriented systemsDrive technical direction across backend, audio pipeline, and embedded Linux componentsEnsure high standards for audio quality, reliability, and performanceReview designs and implementations with a long-term, system-level perspectiveMentor engineers and raise the overall technical bar of the teamCollaborate closely with product, hardware, and mobile teams to align technical solutions with business goalsMake and defend architectural decisions in complex, ambiguous environmentsCore Technical Skills5+ years of professional software engineering experienceStrong background in systems or backend architectureSolid understanding of audio playback pipelines:PCM/DSD, resampling, bit-perfect playbackOS audio stacks (ALSA/PipeWire/CoreAudio/WASAPI)Strong background in Linux, better if relevant to audio, networking, and devicesPlatform & ArchitectureProven experience designing service-oriented or modular architecturesStrong knowledge of containerization (Docker\LXC\RunC, Linux namespaces, cgroups)Familiarity with gRPC, WebSockets, event-driven architecturesLanguages & ToolingComfortable working in Node.js environments (to understand and evolve the existing system)Strong proficiency in at least one systems-friendly language (e.g. Go)Experience with CI/CD, observability, and production diagnosticsLeadershipPrior experience as Tech Lead, Principal Engineer, or ArchitectAbility to drive decisions in ambiguous, evolving systemsComfortable pushing back on shortcuts that compromise long-term portabilityNice to HaveDirect experience with MPD or similar audio daemonsEmbedded/Linux audio product experienceExperience with FlutterBackground in consumer electronics, audio hardware, or IoTExperience designing plugin ecosystems or third-party SDKsWhy join VolumioWork on high-end audio systems used by music enthusiasts worldwidePrincipal-level ownership with direct influence on architecture and strategySmall, highly technical team with strong engineering cultureOpportunity to work across backend systems, embedded Linux, and audio pipelinesFlexible work environmentBe part of innovative projects like CORRD that are reshaping music discoveryLocationBased in Florence, Italy, or remote, with regular collaboration overlap with CET timezone