Perceptual Audio Engineer (Research)
Harman · Northridge · $134,250–$196,900 (stated in the posting)
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, you’ll 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
We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate, you are integral to our company’s 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
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Salary Ranges:
HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, 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.
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