R & D Acoustics Placement - Martin Audio

Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

Martin Audio offers a 12-month R&D acoustics placement based in High Wycombe, working with the R&D team on loudspeaker development. The role covers prototyping, testing, and potential electronics design with guidance from the Design Director.

The candidate should study acoustics or a related field, contribute to projects in DSP, modelling, and CAD, and gain hands-on experience in the full product development cycle at Martin Audio.

Qualifications

• Degree Course: Acoustics or closely related subject.
• Hands-on engineering work including prototyping and testing.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD is an advantage.
• Basic woodworking, mechanical prototyping, electronics soldering skills are an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Prototype and test loudspeaker designs and related components.
• Take acoustic and electrical measurements and set up listening tests.
• Work on digital signal processing, acoustic modelling or CAD-related tasks under guidance.

Skills

Prototyping

Testing

Loudspeaker design

Hands-on engineering

Education

Acoustics degree

Tools

3D CAD

Electronics soldering

Job description

R & D Acoustics Placement - Martin Audio

Based: High Wycombe

Type: Full-time, 12-month placement

Salary: £26250 pa

The Role:

You will join the Martin Audio R&D Team and work directly on Loudspeaker development. The role will involve hands-on engineering work including prototyping and testing and could extend to electronics design, and software tools related to loudspeaker design.

You will be assigned a specialised project related to loudspeaker design, working on both theoretical and practical aspects defined by and under the guidance of the Design Director.

Degree Course: Acoustics or closely related subject.

Project:

• The assigned project will address on one or more areas critical to new product development. This could include digital signal processing, loudspeaker optimisation, acoustic modelling, psychoacoustics, parametric geometry definition using appropriate programming languages and CAD systems, or another specialised assignment relevant to product development at Martin Audio.

Loudspeaker Design:

• You will have the opportunity to work with the Design Engineers, undertaking work requiring both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Examples would be making and testing prototypes, taking acoustic and electrical measurements, and setting up systems for listening tests.
• A good knowledge of mechanics and acoustics and a keen approach to problem solving are required. Proficiency in 3D CAD is an advantage. Basic woodworking, mechanical prototyping skills and electronics and soldering skills will be an advantage.

Job Conditions:

You are expected to work 37.5 hours per week, over the standard working hours of 8.45am to 5.30pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.45pm to 4pm on Friday. An hour is allowed for lunch Monday to Thursday and 45 minutes on Friday. You will be expected to work at the head office site in High Wycombe.

You will report to the Research Director.

About Martin Audio

Martin Audio enjoys an international reputation for supplying award winning professional loudspeaker systems across the spectrum of touring, theatre and installation applications.

The company was founded in 1971 by engineering maestro Dave Martin. His vision was to enable bands to play to larger audiences and be properly heard for the first time. The reputation of Martin Audio speakers quickly grew and soon we were producing world class touring systems for the super groups of the day, including Pink Floyd, The Who and Supertramp.

Renowned for integrity in design, technical excellence and the longevity of its products, Martin Audio takes system creation into a further dimension. Our mission is for every member of the audience to enjoy an exceptional sonic experience faithfully reproducing the artist’s performance.

Location:

The company's prestigious UK headquarters at High Wycombe houses dedicated research & development facilities, manufacturing, a test and demonstration space, warehousing, management, sales and customer support offices.

About the Focusrite Group

Doing a 12-month placement at the Focusrite Group is like becoming one of the family. A rapidly growing, global family. We’re focused on providing opportunities for everyone and anyone to enjoy creating music.

Our placements are very popular, and that’s mainly because you can really get stuck in during your year with us. We want you to help develop our products, market our brands, speak to our customers and make us better. A lot of our previous placement candidates are now full-time employees.

All placements last for 12-months. We pay you £26250 per year (£28900 for London-based roles), and you get to share some of the same benefits as our permanent employees.

Our brands, Focusrite, Focusrite Pro, Novation, Ampify, ADAM Audio, Martin Audio, Optimal Audio, Linea Research, Sequential, Oberheim, Sonnox, OutBoard and TiMax come together around a common mission to remove barriers to creativity.

We work hard. We are professional. And we play hard too. We select really, really talented and passionate people. And we absolutely love our work. So if you think you can bring something new to the mix, we look forward to hearing from you.

Timetable for applications:

Deadline to apply:

27th November 2026

Interviews:

December 2026 – February 2027

Offers made by:

26th February 2027

As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage people to apply regardless of religion, ethnic background, nationality, sexual orientation or gender identity. We recognise the diversity shortcomings of our industry and are committed to driving change. Equally, we recognise the major impact that climate change is having on our world and work every day towards being industry leaders in a carbon neutral future.