Perceptual Audio Engineer (Research)

Harman Becker Automotive Systems Manufacturing Kft

Job Location:

Northridge, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 2 days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

A Career at HARMAN

As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together youll discover that at HARMAN you can grow make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Corporate

Were a global multi-disciplinary team thats putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate you are integral to our companys award-winning success.

Enrich your managerial and organizational talents from finance quality and supply chain to human resources IT sales and strategy
Augment your comprehensive skillset with expert training across decision-making change management leadership and business development
Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle from early-stage to seasoned leader

About the Role

The Perceptual Audio Engineer (Research) develops the metrics methods and evaluation frameworks that connect algorithms to what users actually perceive. You will design listening tests create perceptual datasets develop objective and ML-based metrics and establish quality gates so products can ship without perceptual regressions. Success means that we understand how create a desired perceptual goal in varying environments and just make it work for every customer.

What You Will Do

Metrics & Methods Development: Create perceptual metrics and evaluation methodologies that correlate with human preference and quality judgments (timbre artifacts clarity spatial realism comfort/fatigue).
User Testing & Listening Studies: Design and execute subjective evaluations (ABX preference tests rating studies) including stimulus generation panel guidance statistical analysis and repeatability.
AI/ML-Enabled Evaluation: Where beneficial develop ML-based quality prediction or artifact detection that supports rapid iteration (embedded-viable where relevant; cloud-viable for batch evaluation).
Perception-to-Product Gatekeeping: Define acceptance criteria and regression tests so OneUX productization can enforce no perceptual regressions in CI-style workflows.
Data & Experiment Discipline: Build and maintain clean datasets labeling strategies metadata and experiment tracking so results are trustworthy and reusable.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with DSP acoustics ML and system testing roles to ensure metrics reflect real user value and cover edge cases.
AI Tools: Use AI tools to accelerate analysis and reporting while maintaining rigorous validation and traceability.

What You Need to Be Successful

Education: MS or PhD in EE/CS/Acoustics/Psychoacoustics/Statistics (or equivalent experience).
Experience: 5 years in perceptual audio audio quality evaluation or related applied research/engineering.
Perception Statistics: Strong understanding of psychoacoustics and statistical analysis for human-subject experiments. Experience in using and developing perceptual models.
Programming: Python and/or MATLAB for analysis and tooling; familiarity working with ML frameworks and basic DSP concepts.
AI Tools: Experience using AI-assisted tools for data analysis scripting and documentation in a reproducible workflow.

Bonus Points if You Have

Experience with perceptual evaluation for spatial audio headphone tuning or automotive cabin audio.
Experience creating objective metrics that become organizational standards and materially change decision-making speed/quality.
Familiarity with embedded deployment constraints for ML-based metrics.
Patents/publications in perceptual audio or audio quality evaluation.

What Makes You Eligible

Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).

What We Offer

Flexible work environment allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
Access to employee discounts on world-class products (JBL HARMAN Kardon AKG and more)
Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
Competitive wellness benefits
Tuition reimbursement
Be Brilliant employee recognition and rewards program

An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

#LI-DPWHITE1

#LI-hybrid

Salary Ranges:

$ 134250 - $ 196900

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace religion color national origin gender (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender identity gender expression age status as a protected veteran status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Required Experience:

A Career at HARMANAs a technology leader that is rapidly on the move HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together youll discover that at HARMAN you can ...