R&D Engineer II
12-Months ( possible extensions to 2 years )
Onsite in Redmond, WA
 
Job Description:

• 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 a contract acoustic research engineer to conduct acoustic measurements, acoustic data processing, and auditory perception experiments, and develop relevant methods and tools leveraging scientific coding skills and expertise in audio signal processing, audio hardware systems, machine learning, and acoustics.

 
Responsibilities:

• Develop systems, user interfaces, and protocols for acoustic and behavioral data acquisition and processing using Python, MATLAB, and MaxMSP.
• Analyze and improve the performance of data acquisition systems for audio perception.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary researchers to integrate data acquisition algorithms into platforms.
• Perform acoustic data collection involving complex capture systems, prototype devices, and human subjects in controlled laboratory environments.
• Write technical reports and papers describing research results and methodologies.

 
Minimum Requirements:

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical field with 3+ years of industry experience in audio technology development, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3+ years experience in designing and performing audio acoustic experiments in controlled laboratory settings.
• 3+ years of programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or MaxMSP for audio applications
• Strong understanding and experience in audio signal processing

 
Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in real-time audio coding in C/C++
• Expertise in any/all of psychoacoustics, auditory perception, spatial audio, room acoustics, and physical acoustics
• Experience using PyTorch or other machine-learning frameworks
• Experience with prototype hardware devices
• Experience with motion tracking systems
• Experience with large-scale automated data collection and analysis
• Experience designing and setting up acoustic laboratory spaces
• Experience working in cross-functional, inter-disciplinary environments
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality technical reports and/or publications

 
Minimum Years of Experience:

• 3+

Must-Have Skills:

• Audio Signal Processing
  • Strong understanding and experience in audio signal processing is crucial for designing and developing innovative audio technologies.
• Programming in Python, MATLAB, or MaxMSP
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, MATLAB, or MaxMSP is necessary for creating and implementing audio applications.
• Acoustic Experimentation
  • Experience in designing and performing audio acoustic experiments in controlled laboratory settings is vital for testing and validating audio technologies.
• Audio Technology Development
  • Industry experience in audio technology development, including design, implementation, and testing of audio systems, is essential for success in this field.
• Data Analysis and Interpretation
  • Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data from audio experiments and applications is critical for making informed decisions and improving audio technology development.

 
Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Real-Time Audio Coding in C/C++
• Expertise in real-time audio coding in C/C++ can be beneficial for developing high-performance audio applications.
• Machine Learning Frameworks (PyTorch)
• Experience with machine learning frameworks like PyTorch can be useful for developing AI-powered audio applications.
• Psychoacoustics and Auditory Perception
• Knowledge of psychoacoustics and auditory perception can help you design more effective and user-friendly audio systems.
• Prototype Hardware Devices
• Experience with prototype hardware devices can be valuable for testing and validating new audio technologies.
• Motion Tracking Systems/ least important
• Familiarity with motion tracking systems can be beneficial for developing immersive audio experiences.

 
Degrees/Certifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical field with 3+ years of industry experience in audio technology development, or equivalent combination of education and experience

 
Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Developing and improving systems for acoustic and behavioral data acquisition and processing
• Collaborating with researchers to integrate data acquisition algorithms into platforms
• Conducting acoustic data collection in controlled laboratory environments
• Analyzing and improving the performance of data acquisition systems for audio perception
• Writing technical reports and papers describing research results and methodologies
• Programming in Python, MATLAB, and MaxMSP
• Designing and setting up acoustic laboratory spaces
• Working with prototype hardware devices and motion tracking systems
• Conducting experiments and collecting data
• Analyzing and interpreting data
• Writing and publishing technical reports and papers

 
About the Team

• This role will work cross-functionally across RL. The team is adding engineer support for a variety of RL positions.

• The Reality Labs Research Audio team aims to fundamentally transform the human experience through audio innovation. We are creating virtual sound that is perceptually indistinguishable from reality and redefining human hearing. We research and invent technologies related to sound capture, acoustic scene understanding, psychoacoustics, listener intent, sound propagation, audio rendering, the hardware breakthroughs necessary to power these technologies, and much more. The discoveries we make inform immersive and ubiquitous XR products across client, supporting meaningful connections to the world and people across augmented reality, mobile, virtual reality, wearable devices, and beyond.

Screening Process:       

• 2 rounds, each lasting 45 minutes
• Round 1: Technical screening interview with the hiring manager
• Round 2: In-depth technical assessment w/ someone else from the team

 

About Us: Established in 2004, SPECTRAFORCE® is one of the largest and fastest-growing diversity-owned staffing firms in the US. The growth of our company is a direct result of our global client service delivery model that is powered by our state-of-the-art A.I. proprietary talent acquisition platform, robust ISO 9001:2015/ISO 27001 certified processes, and strong and passionate client engaged teams. We have built our business by providing talent and project-based solutions, including Contingent, Permanent, and Statement of Work (SOW) services to over 140 clients in the US, Canada, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, and India. Key industries that we service include Technology, Financial Services, Life Sciences, Healthcare, Telecom, Retail, Utilities and Transportation. SPECTRAFORCE is built on a concept of “human connection,” defined by our branding attitude of NEWJOBPHORIA®, which is the excitement of bringing joy and freedom to the work lifestyle so our people and clients can reach their highest potential. Learn more at: http://www.spectraforce.com
 
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At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $60.00/hr.