Senior Acoustic Research Engineer, Intelligent Audio

HARMAN International; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Access to employee discounts on JBL, H

HARMAN University training

Competitive wellness benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Be Brilliant program

Job summary

HARMAN Research seeks an Acoustic Engineer - Research to turn acoustic science and signal processing into systems that enhance audio experiences. You will lead research from modeling and prototyping through evaluation and technology transfer as a senior, hands‑on contributor.

You will design intelligent audio systems, build evaluation methods, and collaborate with Audio ML and Perceptual Audio teams to align physical, algorithmic, data‑driven, and perceptual results with product goals.

Qualifications

• A degree in acoustics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, computer science, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Significant relevant experience, typically at least five years, in acoustic research or engineering.
• Strong foundations in acoustics, signal processing, acoustic systems design, measurement, psychoacoustics, and critical listening.
• Evidence of taking an idea from research question through modeling, prototyping, reproducible evaluation, and product integration or a product-ready demonstration.
• Practical fluency with Python, MATLAB, or equivalent tools for acoustic modeling, measurement, analysis, and automation.
• Ability to explain technical results and product implications clearly, and to influence research, engineering, and product teams without relying on formal authority.

Responsibilities

• Advance acoustic research: Follow relevant advances, frame business‑relevant technical questions, and turn promising ideas into validated prototypes.
• Design intelligent audio systems: Model, build, test, and tune acoustic systems and signal processing algorithms across relevant devices and listening environments.
• Build evaluation systems: Create repeatable simulation, measurement, and critical listening methods and tests.
• Connect acoustics, machine learning, and perception: Work with Audio ML and Perceptual Audio colleagues to combine physical, algorithmic, data‑driven, and human evidence.
• Prepare technologies for product adoption: Work with a cross‑functional team of engineers and user experience designers to build reference implementations. Stay engaged as product teams adopt the technology.
• Use modern AI tools: Lead in continuously improving results by applying AI‑assisted tools to accelerate experimentation, coding, testing, analysis, and documentation.
• Strengthen shared practice: Communicate results clearly, mentor colleagues, and create methods, tools, and technical assets that teams across HARMAN can reuse.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

acoustics

signal processing

acoustic systems design

measurement

psychoacoustics

critical listening

modeling

prototyping

evaluation

product integration

communication

influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in acoustics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, computer science, or related field

Tools

3D CAD

Job description

HARMAN Research seeks an Acoustic Engineer - Research to turn acoustic science and signal processing into systems that enhance audio experiences. You will lead research from modeling and prototyping through evaluation and technology transfer as a senior, hands‑on contributor.

You will design intelligent audio systems, build evaluation methods, and collaborate with Audio ML and Perceptual Audio teams to align physical, algorithmic, data‑driven, and perceptual results with product goals.