Nick D'Amato Email & Phone Number

Laguna Niguel, CA, US

San Clemente, California, US

Define, design, and develop world-class audio products

Santa Barbara, CA, US

• Led a team of researchers & engineers with a focus on next-generation connectivity. Generated technology roadmaps and provided technical guidance to Portfolio & Product Managers. Drove exploration of strategic.
• Named inventor on 23+ utility patents and 14 pending applications stemming from 2.5 years in the Advanced Technology Team.
• Led development of technical and business strategies for next-gen TV connectivity, resulting in nine-figure projected revenue opportunity.
• Generated game-changing streaming concepts to optimize Cloud and Edge device connectivity, including innovative synchronization methods and cross-network management.
• Engaged with semiconductor suppliers, providing guidance on potential architectures based on Sonos' technology needs.
• Identified, evaluated, and often led initial discussions for for several M&A opportunities, 3 of which resulted in acquisitions. Areas of focus: WiFi, Bluetooth, UWB, Zigbee/Thread, Ultrasonics, Wireless Power.

Santa Barbara, CA, US

• Developed technological solutions for next-gen products and platforms. Collaborated with Experience Planning team and Product Managers to understand customer facing issues, desired features and capabilities. Tracked.
• Convinced a company 100% invested in WiFi to change course, start incorporating Bluetooth into products, and restructure the software organization to support Bluetooth going forward.
• Discovered and engaged key tech partners and M&A targets including Chirp, subsequently acquired in 2019.
• Devised low-power system architectures for portable, hearable, and voice-enabled product concepts.
• Pioneered participation in industry standards organizations, including Bluetooth SIG Working Groups, providing guidance for next-gen connectivity.

Santa Barbara, CA, US

• Technical lead for Power and Analog team, responsible for all power supply, amplifier, and analog designs. Power & Analog design engineer for multiple products including Play:5 gen2, PlayBase, and Sonos One.
• ‘Go-to' EE for trouble-shooting project-threatening design issues (performance, function, EMC, ESD, etc.).
• Produced system-level architectures for new products and platforms including Amp and Move.
• Overhauled amplifier test methods: Increased thoroughness of test suite while reducing test time from 10 days of hands-on work to a single python-scripted overnight automated test sequence.
• Created new method to localize PCB component buzz and developed novel component solutions.
• Optimized Sonos Amp architecture: Specified a digital signal controller to eliminate six schematic pages worth of circuitry while improving design flexibility.

Santa Barbara, CA, US

• Led a global team of engineers responsible for all product designs once released to Manufacturing. Analyzed field failures to establish root cause, then developed solutions and qualified design changes.
• Built a robust team in less than 2 years, expanding from just 3 EEs to a multidisciplinary team of 11 across 4 international locations with strengths in electrical, mechanical, radio, audio transducer, & PLM.
• Spearheaded production line qualifications, doubling production line capacity of existing products each year while simultaneously introducing the PlayBar and Play:1, two of Sonos' most successful products.
• Reduced incoming rejection rate of vendor sourced WiFi cards from 89% to <0.1% in 9 months while simultaneously qualifying a new factory and establishing more stringent performance requirements.
• Created a more efficient 2nd-source component qualification process to reduce occurrence of line-down situations and bolster supply chain flexibility.
• Established an efficient process to capture, catalog, and prioritize incoming requests, effectively eliminating ‘dropped balls’ & miscommunications, thereby drastically improving the team’s reputation & effectiveness.

Woburn, MA, US

• Developed high-end audio electronics products designed in cooperation with ODM partners. Manage all aspects of the design process from product concept to release for production. Evaluated and optimized electrical.
• Performed multiple roles effectively and simultaneously: project and team manager, product design engineer, and product tester/evaluator.
• Worked extensively with wireless audio technologies and platforms: - Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, DAB, AM/FM, Wi-Fi, DLNA, KleerNet, SKAA - BridgeCo, Frontier Silicon, CSR, SMSC, Eleven Eng., Nordic, TI, Alfa Plus
• Successfully collaborated with ODMs, vendors, and 3rd party design teams, often coordinating multiple teams in combined efforts to develop a single product.
• Created a complete user interface specification for a flagship tabletop radio system, incorporating both capacitive sense technology and soft-menu controls.
• Frequently solved ODM cost overruns by finding innovative design improvements. Example: Suggested changes to a metal cabinet base’s mechanical design that reduced the component cost from $37 to $16 while simultaneously.

Los Angeles, CA, US

• Directed development of audio electronics products in conjunction with internal design team and/or ODMs. Researched new technologies and developed methods for implementation in new products. Notable accomplishments and.
• Promoted from Product Engineer to Senior Design Engineer in 2005 and to Project Engineer in 2010.
• Light Bulb Speaker System: A wireless speaker in the form-factor of a traditional flood lamp, complete with high-brightness LED lighting, digital RF audio link, and RF remote control. Conceived of idea independently.
• High-power (kW+) Class-D amplifier research: Developed amplifier and switching power supply platforms for next-generation bass guitar amplifiers. Created innovative SPICE models. Devised several innovative and low-cost.
• Fender ’57 Deluxe Reissue: All vacuum tube, hand-wired re-creation of the 1957 Tweed Deluxe, one of Rock music's most influential guitar amps. Reverse engineered and re-created the iconic sound while updating design to.
• Passport PD-500: Flagship portable PA system. Fender’s first DSP based mixer, Class-D amplifier, switch-mode power supply, and lightweight high-output speaker design.

Los Angeles, CA, US

Los Angeles, CA, US

Launched new audio amplifier division of company utilizing minimal resources. Managed amplifier design projects. Designed all associated circuitry, mechanical assemblies, and PCB layouts. Business Development: Conducted market research and analysis. Collaborated with factory managers in China. Designed complete line of professional audio amplifiers.

Designed switching power supplies, amplifiers, filters, display circuits, and PCB layouts for home and car audio products. Performed product testing, verification, and troubleshooting. Initiated improvements to switching power supplies in car audio amplifiers, resulting in drastic reduction of failure rates, improved efficiency, and higher output.

Atlanta, Georgia, US

Generated and drafted circuit designs. Constructed and tested prototypes for commercial and military projects. Performed sourcing and purchasing activities for MIL-SPEC components.

Provided technical support, training, board-level emergency troubleshooting, upgrades, and repair of radio communications equipment aboard Navy ships.