Spatial Audio Capture Project Manager IV

Spectraforce Technologies; Redmond (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Reality Labs Research in Redmond, WA seeks a Spatial Audio Capture Project Manager IV to lead contract projects advancing spatial audio capture R&D. You will collaborate with researchers, software engineers, and PhD interns to deliver milestones on a defined plan.

The role requires proven project management in research settings, strong documentation and reporting skills, and hands-on willingness to handle procurement and operational tasks to keep the team on target.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in research project management with proven delivery.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
• Experience with spatial/binaural audio or audio signal processing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage and drive projects per delivery plan.
• Monitor progress, resolve issues, adjust plan to stay on track.
• Report progress, dependencies, risks to team and stakeholders.
• Document progress and completion of tasks and projects.
• Manage procurement for equipment and vendor services.
• Support team with ops tasks as needed.

Skills

Sprint-Based Project Management

Driving execution in a research env

Synthesize and report information to

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related field

Tools

Matlab

Python

C++

Max/MSP

Job description

Job Title: Spatial Audio Capture Project Manager IV

Location: Onsite - Redmond, WA

Duration: 12 Months

About the Role:

• Reality Labs Research at Client brings together a world-class team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today.
• In particular, the Reality Labs Research Audio team is focused on two goals; creating virtual sounds that are perceptually indistinguishable from reality, and redefining human hearing. These two initiatives will allow us to connect people by allowing them to feel together despite being physically apart, and allow them to converse in even the most difficult listening environments.
• We are looking for an experienced contract project manager to help us advance research and development on spatial audio capture as part of a team of project managers that support research scientists, software engineers, and PhD student interns. An ideal candidate would have work experience in research project management, and familiarity with some or all of the following areas: Spatial audio, binaural audio, and audio signal processing.

Responsibilities:

• Manage and drive projects to advance research and development according to a delivery plan.
• Monitor progress, identify problems, facilitate resolution, and implement changes as necessary to keep projects on track towards completion.
• Regularly report on project progress, dependencies and risks to the team and stakeholders.
• Ensure proper documentation of progress and completion of tasks and projects.
• Manage procurement projects for equipment and vendor services.
• Willingness to "roll up your sleeves" and take on operational tasks in support of the team's goals.

Must-Have Skills:

1. Project Management
   • a. Sprint-Based Project Management - Experience with bi-weekly sprint planning, tracking, and reporting.
2. Driving execution in a research environment (For example, companies with R&D in consumer electronics)
   • a. UXR fishfooding, SLO setup, and Google form deployment.
3. Synthesize and report information to stakeholders
   • a. Strong documentation skills, including maintaining GSD boards, summarizing sprint progress, and reporting gaps/risks.
   • b. Regular communication with DRIs and management, including bi-weekly updates and summary reports.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

1. Agile/Scrum/Sprint management
2. Event coordination
3. Audio production (event, mixing, performance) or technology (Spatial audio, binaural audio, and audio signal processing) experience
   • experience with spatial/binaural audio, audio signal processing, and relevant programming languages.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Work experience in research project management with a track record of successful project completion.
2. Interpersonal and communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
3. Proactive with ability to execute on multiple tasks simultaneously.
4. Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with team members and individuals throughout the broader organization.
5. Strong organizational and time management skills.
6. Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Computer Science, (Audio) Engineering, Acoustics, Physics, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience working in a fast-paced research and/or product development environment.
2. Experience with programming languages such as Matlab, Python, C++, Max/MSP or similar.
3. Experience with spatial audio, binaural audio, and audio signal processing.
4. Experience with user experience studies.

Years of Experience: 3+

Related Job Titles / Skill Sets:

• Moving technology into product

• Research & Product Development - 50/50 (slightly more research preferred)
• R&D at an audio electronics company
• T-mobile or Big Tech companies

Interview Process:

• (Optional) 15 Minute Phone screen
• Round 1 - 45 minute TPM interview
• Round 2 - 45 minute technical lead interview