Acoustics consultant jobs

As an acoustic consultant, you will be responsible for providing a variety of services related to acoustics, noise, and vibrations. Some examples of these services include noise surveys, noise assessments, and acoustic design advise for buildings and rooms.

The field of acoustics may be found in several subfields of science and engineering. You may, for instance, work with mobile phone developers, assist with the use of ultrasonography in medicine, or participate in the non-destructive examination of different kinds of buildings.

The many kinds of consultancy work

There are a variety of subfields that acousticians might choose to specialize in, including the following:

acoustics in building construction

audio engineering

environmental noise

noise control and product sound

acoustic aspects of music

Hearing and communication

ultrasound

acoustics of the ocean floor

Responsibilities

The following are examples of possible responsibilities that may be required:

carry out noise and vibration studies, for instance in structures to ensure that they comply with building rules, for planning applications, and for environmental statements.

carry out the testing and detailing of the insulation.

Carry out the work required for the survey and acoustic modeling while keeping in mind how changes in design effect sound levels and quality.

carry out data analysis, prediction, and evaluation, and submit your findings.

maintain communication with customers and the community's governing bodies on the specifications of their projects.

putting up bids and precise estimates for upcoming projects.

ensuring that projects are finished on schedule and under budget, maintaining communication with clients and coworkers throughout the process.

if you are at a high level, you should testify in court as an expert witness.

create reports and suggestions, as well as prepare and produce them.

operate on your own while being guided as necessary.

undertaking administrative and managerial duties for the project

Make use of modeling tools, such as ODEON, SoundPLAN, INSUL, CadnaA, and/or CATT-Acoustic, among others.

perform your duties in a recording studio that is also equipped with broadcast sound gear.

Develop and investigate various pieces of medical technology, such as those utilized for ultrasound imaging, high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment, and surgical procedures.

Make advantage of non-destructive testing equipment that already exists or create new equipment.

use or create SONAR in order to conduct range and detecting operations under water.

Salary

Depending on their level of expertise, junior or graduate acoustic consultants who have the necessary qualifications might anticipate a beginning pay that falls between between £22,000 and $25,000.

The average annual salary for a consultant is between £25,000 and £35,000.

It is possible for senior consultants to make between £35,000 and £50,000 per year, while primary acoustic consultants may earn more than £45,000 annually.

Your credentials, experience, and talents, as well as your location, as well as the size of the organization you work for, all play a role in determining your salary.

A significant number of businesses run bonus programs and may provide their employees with either a corporate vehicle or access to a car pool. You may also be eligible for additional benefits, such as flexible working hours, private health insurance, life insurance, and possibilities for professional growth and training.

Time spent working

You'll typically clock in between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; however, certain jobs need employees to work on a shift basis.

There is a possibility of finding employment that is flexible or part-time.

What may be anticipated

It is typical for a noise or acoustic consultant to be responsible for conducting surveys. Because of the possibility that they are reliant on the weather, you can be requested to carry one of them out with very little advanced notice. In some situations, it is recommended that you wear protective clothes.

Your time is often divided between the office, the location of the work, and meetings with clients. This can need travel anywhere in the United Kingdom or even farther afield.

Despite the fact that businesses may be found in every region of the UK, the regions of the North West, Scotland, London, and South East have the highest concentration of economic activity. Check out the study titled "UK Acoustics: Sound Economics" for further details about the acoustics business.

The effort is motivated in part by new technologies and new regulations governing sound insulation in buildings. Government legislation also plays a role in the work in some capacity.

Qualifications

The vast majority of people who enter the field of acoustic consulting will have either a bachelor's degree in mathematics, physics, or engineering; an advanced degree in acoustical or audio engineering; or both.

There is also a possibility of entry after having studied fields such as music technology or environmental science; however, in most cases, you will be required to complete additional education at the postgraduate level, such as the Institute of Acoustics (IOA) Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control or an MSc in Acoustics.

Obtaining a degree in acoustics or a field closely linked to it, as well as a suitable postgraduate certificate, such as the Diploma in Acoustics and Noise Control, is required by many companies. In most cases, they also demand that their clients be associate or corporate members of the IOA (depending on the level of the role)

A level 4 acoustics technician apprenticeship, in which paid labor and part-time study are both components of the program, is another way to enter the field and become an acoustics technician. After that, you can consider pursuing more education to become an acoustic consultant.

ExploreAcoustics, which is offered by the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC), and IOA Careers are two resources that might provide you with further details on a career as an acoustic consultant.

Skills

You'll need to make sure you have:

a natural ability with numbers and scientific concepts

expertise in noise modeling, including knowledge with tools specifically designed for noise modeling

an approach to problem-solving that is both rational and imaginative.

good written and verbal communication abilities, including the ability to write technical reports.

the capacity to collect and evaluate information

the capacity to function both autonomously and in accordance with instructions

the assurance necessary to communicate with customers and local authorities

good information technology abilities, including a command of Excel, Word, and the ability to run computer simulations

management abilities pertaining to projects, resources, and time

consciousness of the market

good interpersonal skills

budgeting and negotiation skills

a proactive way of going about one's business

self-motivation

attention to detail

familiarity with the applicable policies, practices, and laws that are in effect.

In most cases, a complete and clean driving license from the UK is required.

The ability to speak a foreign language is helpful for employment that takes place abroad, but it is not required.

Practice in the workplace

Employers of graduates place a great emphasis on work experience, and in order to get a position as a junior or graduate acoustic consultant, you will often need to have some relevant work experience under your belt. The minimum amount of relevant job experience that consultants are required to have is two years.

Attending music festivals may provide one with valuable professional experience. Students are hired by acoustic consultancies to do sound measurements during the length of festivals in a shift-based labor arrangement.

Additionally, local governments may provide work experience opportunities, most often for night surveys. There is also the possibility of gaining practical experience by working for an environmental consulting firm.

Student participation in the IOA is beneficial as well, notably for the possibilities to network that are presented during the organization's meetings and activities.

Find out more information on the many types of work experience and internships that are currently offered.

Employers

Although there are some very big acoustics enterprises in the UK, the sector as a whole is dominated by small and medium-sized businesses. A good number of them are considered to be micro firms since they employ 10 people or less.

Employers who fall within this category include:

acoustic consultancies

architects

suppliers of educational services

government at the local level

corporations specializing in technology and engineering

environmental organisations

vehicle manufacturers

Aerospace manufacturing

Department of Defense Ministry

departments devoted to research that are found in universities.

Try looking for employment opportunities at:

Noise Consultants' Association of North America (ANC)

IOA: Jobs in the Field of Acoustics

Association Européenne de l'Acoustique (EAA)

The Institute of Noise Control Engineering in the United States of America (INCE USA)

There are just a few of specialized recruiting agencies, some of which are as follows:

Penguin Recruitment

MSA Consulting and Employment Opportunities

In addition, specialized journals like Environmental Health News provide job advertisements on their websites.

Employers may also approach university departments or academic staff directly as a source of fresh talent, particularly for students who are looking for chances to get work experience.

The ANC maintains a directory of the acoustic consultancies that are members of the organization. This database may be searched according to the location or the kind of service offered. This may provide you with access to useful connections while you look for work.

Improvement of one's profession

On-the-job training is common, and some firms even provide options for further education and career advancement for their employees. They could also help you get chartered status with a suitable authority by providing support and assistance.

Obtaining associate membership in the IOA is the typical first step in a career in this industry (AMIOA). Either you will need to have the proper educational credentials in acoustics (such the IOA Diploma), or you will need to have the required amount of experience. You are eligible to submit an application to become a full member if you have relevant job experience that spans a minimum of three years (MIOA).

You may become a chartered engineer via the IOA if you get more experience and training in the field. This would enable you to move through the ranks and become a senior acoustics consultant or engineer.

Apprentices in the field of acoustics technology will have the ability to submit an application to the IOA for TechIOA status and an application to the Engineering Council for EngTech certification.

If you want to go through the ranks in your profession, you can consider getting a master's degree or getting a certificate in acoustics and noise control. Many companies are willing to hire recent graduates and provide financial support so that they may pursue these certifications. Conduct some research to find postgraduate programs in the field of acoustics.

It is possible that more senior acoustic consultants may spend time testifying in court as expert witnesses, pertaining to topics ranging from hearing loss claims to criminal forensics. This is something that can be anticipated. The IOA provides its members with continuous professional development (CPD) courses on a variety of subjects, including this one and others that are pertinent.

Prospects for one's career

Even though acoustic consulting is a very niche field, job prospects are typically favorable for those who possess the appropriate mix of education, experience, and abilities. The ANC reports that many of its member consultancies are experiencing a lack of graduates, and it is frequently the case that there are more acoustic positions available than there are graduates.

You will typically begin your career as a junior or graduate consultant, and after two years of experience, you will be eligible to advance into a consultant post. As a consultant, you will be required to handle projects of a small to medium size, and you may be asked to help on projects of a bigger scale with the assistance of your coworkers.

Because many acoustic consultancies are classified as small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs), it's possible that you'll have to switch jobs often in order to advance in your career.

Senior-level consultants typically have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience, and their responsibilities often include leading projects, providing technical assistance, and interacting directly with customers. You will often be responsible for mentoring younger staff members and assisting with company growth; thus, you will need to possess both technical and commercial knowledge. There are further potential to advance into managerial jobs at the director level, where one would be responsible for the workforce, the strategy, and the budget.

Many individuals who work in the acoustic consulting industry have as their long-term objective the launch of their own consultation company.