Acoustic Research Engineer – 71880

Acoustic Research Engineer
Location: Near Cambourne, West Cambridge
Contract: 12-month temporary contract
Pay rate: £41.20 per hour PAYE
Hours: 40 hours per week
Working pattern: Five days per week onsite
Start date: ASAP

The Opportunity

A leading global technology organisation is seeking an experienced Acoustic Research Engineer to join its specialist audio research team.
This is a hands-on research and engineering position focused on acoustic measurement, audio signal processing, auditory perception experiments and the development of tools for acoustic data acquisition and analysis.
You will work in an advanced audio laboratory featuring anechoic chambers, configurable acoustic environments and specialist audio capture facilities. The team is developing next-generation immersive audio and wearable technologies designed to create highly realistic sound experiences and improve communication in challenging listening environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop systems, interfaces and protocols for acoustic and behavioural data acquisition.
• Create data-processing and experimental tools using Python, MATLAB and MaxMSP.
• Design and conduct acoustic measurements and auditory perception experiments.
• Configure complex capture systems involving microphones, loudspeakers, prototype devices and human participants.
• Collect, process, clean and analyse acoustic and audio-signal data.
• Improve and automate audio data-collection and measurement processes.
• Plan and design acoustic setups for controlled laboratory experiments.
• Apply specialist acoustics knowledge to new and complex research challenges.
• Integrate data-acquisition and processing algorithms into research platforms.
• Collaborate with researchers and engineers across audio, hardware, systems and software disciplines.
• Produce clear technical reports documenting methodologies, findings and results.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in acoustics, audio engineering, signal processing, electrical engineering, computer science or another relevant technical field.
• At least three years of industry experience in audio technology development, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years of experience designing and conducting audio or acoustic experiments in controlled laboratory settings.
• Strong hands-on understanding of acoustics and audio signal processing.
• Practical knowledge of room acoustics, acoustic properties and test and measurement equipment.
• At least three years of programming experience using Python, MATLAB or MaxMSP for audio applications.
• Experience designing acoustic data-collection setups using microphones, loudspeakers and complex capture systems.
• Ability to analyse experimental data and develop practical solutions to new technical problems.
• Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary research or engineering environment.

Desirable Skills

• Real-time audio development using C or C++.
• Psychoacoustics or auditory perception.
• Spatial audio, room acoustics or physical acoustics.
• PyTorch or another machine-learning framework.
• Prototype audio, wearable or emerging hardware devices.
• Motion-tracking systems.
• Large-scale automated data collection and analysis.
• Designing or setting up acoustic laboratory spaces.
• Conducting research involving human participants.
• Producing high-quality technical reports, research papers or publications.

Candidate Profile

This role requires a specialist and practical acoustics background. It is unlikely to suit candidates whose experience is primarily in sound design, music production, recording, broadcasting or general audio engineering without significant laboratory-based acoustic measurement experience.
The successful candidate will be comfortable working directly with acoustic instrumentation, room configurations, prototype equipment, microphones, loudspeakers and experimental data-collection systems.
Why Apply? This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regarded research team working on advanced audio, immersive technology and emerging hardware. You will work alongside specialists across acoustics, research engineering, systems engineering and software development while helping to solve complex and previously unexplored technical challenges.