Acoustics Engineer, Beats Acoustics

Socket.dev; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking an Acoustic Engineer for the Beats Acoustics team in Los Angeles. You will take microphone and telephony concepts from design through mass production, guiding mechanical and electrical design discussions with industrial and product teams.

You will also contribute to DSP optimization to ensure superior audio quality across Beats products. The role requires hands-on acoustic simulation, test, and validation, with limited international travel for engineering and manufacturing

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant industry experience in acoustics.
• Strong passion for audio and knowledge of acoustic theory.
• Experience in design, manufacturing and failure analysis of audio systems.
• Proficiency with acoustic simulation tools (e.g. COMSOL) and DSP concepts.
• Experience with microphones, transducers, and acoustic modeling.

Responsibilities

• Take microphone/telephony hardware concepts from early design to mass production.
• Provide input on mechanical and electrical design with industrial and product design teams.
• Contribute to digital signal processing to optimize overall audio product experience.
• Work with acoustic test fixtures and analyzers; support international test activities as needed.

Skills

Audio engineering

DSP development

Communication skills

Acoustic theory

Hardware prototyping

Education

Advanced degree in Acoustics/Engineering/Physics

Tools

COMSOL

MATLAB

Python

Audio Precision

SoundCheck

Klippel

MaxMSP

Adobe Audition

Audacity

3D CAD tools

Job description

At Apple, new ideas have a way of quickly becoming extraordinary products, services and customer experiences. Sound is an essential and compelling facet of the customer experience - Apple has assembled a world-class Acoustics team that enables our customers to experience music with delight, communicate with clarity and appreciate our products without disturbance from noise. In Apple Acoustics we work with obsessive attention to detail, directly contributing to products that ship to millions of people around the world. The Beats Acoustics team is responsible for the acoustic design and sound quality of all Beats audio products. We are a diverse team with expertise in acoustic design, hardware prototyping and integration, audio signal processing applications, critical listening, and hearing science. We work closely with multi-functional teams to find innovative solutions to complex engineering issues. We are searching for an Acoustic Engineer to help bring voice performance of Beats products to the next level.

DESCRIPTION

As an Acoustic Engineer on the Beats Acoustics team, you will be responsible for taking new and innovative microphone/telephony hardware concepts from the early design phase all the way to a mass produced audio product used by our customers. This includes giving input on the mechanical and electrical design to the industrial and product design teams. As a natural part of simulating, building, and validating acoustic designs, we also give input on the digital signal processing to ensure the overall audio product experience is second to none. Limited international travel to support engineering and manufacturing test activities is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

3+ years of relevant industry experience preferred. A strong passion for audio and fundamental knowledge of acoustic theory, with proven success in the design, manufacturing and failure analysis of audio systems. Practical understanding of microphones and acoustic transducers, and related equivalent circuit modeling techniques in the context of headphone and loudspeaker design. Proficiency with acoustic simulation tools (e.g. LPM tools, COMSOL), with experience modeling acoustic systems having drivers, microphones, ports, meshes, etc. Working knowledge of industry-standard acoustic test fixtures and audio analyzers such as Audio Precision, SoundCheck, and Klippel. Excellent written, presentation, and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with multi-disciplinary team members. Proficiency using tools such as MATLAB or Python for audio and acoustic system development and data analysis. Most of our engineers have advanced degrees in Acoustics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Physics, or an equivalent field, but if you’ve followed a different path to expertise in acoustics, we still want to hear from you.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience with integration of microphones and VPUs, including designing for ingress protection. Experience with microphone system failure analysis during production phases. Proficiency with DAW’s and audio signal prototyping/analysis tools such as MaxMSP, Adobe Audition, Audacity, etc. Experience working with high-volume, international manufacturers. Familiarity with 3D CAD tools.