Senior Manager Audio Engineering

at  Loop Earplugs

WE ARE LOOP

We redefine what an earplug should sound, look and feel like. Whether it’s hearing protection or comfort for your ears, Loop enables you to live life at your volume. Our founders Maarten and Dimitri started Loop back with a big idea. And a chronic ringing in their ears. Since then, we’ve helped more than 3,500,000 customers around the world to find quiet, enjoy great experiences and keep unwanted noise at bay.
In 2023 we grew from almost 100 Loopers to over 250 people. And that’s a number we would have to keep updating every month, as we are planning to double the team once again, this year.
Our headquarters are based in Antwerp, but with hubs in Amsterdam, Shanghai, and New York, we’re dotted all over the globe.
Not to brag about it, but we’ve recently won the EY Scale up of the year award, the Deloitte Fast50 award (for the second year in a row) and a couple of other amazing (international) prices. The New York Times named us ‘best earplugs for concerts’ and thousands of noise-sensitive customers call us a ‘life changer’.
Here’s more about Maarten & Dimitri’s founders story: https://www.loopearplugs.com/blogs/blog/the-founders-story

10+ YEARS ACOUSTIC ENGINEERING AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE | HYBRID | ANTWERP | 40 HRS

Loop Earplugs is the leading provider of innovative earwear. Earplugs, innovative? Really? Yes, really. And we’re not done yet. We want to become the leader in enhanced hearing, which means a ton of disruptive new products and maybe even services. The ideas and ambitions are there, and we’d like to speed things up. That’s why we’re seeking a skilled Senior Manager with experience in Acoustic Engineering to join our team.

SENIOR MANAGER, AUDIO ENGINEERING – EMPOWERING INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION

As the Senior Manager, Audio Engineering, you will play a pivotal role in our vision for the future of earwear products. You will lead a team of 5 acoustic engineers, each at varying levels of seniority, to develop cutting-edge acoustic technologies and products in line with our product roadmap. Your expertise and leadership will be instrumental in guiding the team to create innovative solutions that set Loop apart in the industry. Your experience with people management and growing teams comes in handy too, as you’ll expand this team in line with the tech roadmap of Loop.
But wait, there’s more! Our Acoustic Lab in Antwerp is your team’s playground. Dive into exciting technologies and stay at the forefront of industry trends to drive innovative solutions and maintain Loop’s competitive edge. To ensure this, we’re investing 10% of our revenue in R&D and next year we’re aiming even higher.
As we’re experiencing rapid growth, our ambitions are sky-high. So, there’s a lot of moving parts to coordinate – teams, individuals, and various interests all in the mix. Aligning them all together won’t be easy, but we know you’re more than capable. And don’t worry, you’re not on your own: Iain, the Senior Director of Hardware Engineering, has got your back every step of the way.

Your other responsibilities:

• Directing Acoustic Development: Lead the development of acoustic technologies for our new products. Define and execute the strategic direction for acoustic engineering to achieve product innovation in line with our product roadmap.
• Team Leadership: Foster a collaborative and creative work environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and continuous learning. Inspire and manage a team of currently 5 full-time acoustic engineers. This team will grow together with Loop.
• Guiding the Research Roadmap: Help set the research agenda and priorities to align with the company’s objectives. Identify opportunities for advancements in acoustic technology and steer research initiatives according to our product roadmap.
• Technical Expertise: Bring your deep knowledge of acoustic engineering principles and methodologies to the team. Provide technical guidance, support, and mentorship to ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Innovation: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, leveraging this knowledge to drive innovation. Identify opportunities for patentable inventions and collaborate with legal teams when necessary.
• Project Oversight: Monitor project timelines, allocate resources, and manage budgets effectively. Ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget while maintaining the highest quality standards.

How you’ll succeed as a Senior Manager, Audio Engineering:
We’re looking for someone with analytical and problem-solving prowess, adept at data interpretation and statistical analysis, to drive informed decision-making. Your innovative mindset is essential, as we need fresh ideas and inventive solutions from you. Your attention to detail and analytical skills are crucial, demonstrating your ability to conduct precise measurements, analyze data, and draw meaningful conclusions. With your experience in product development processes and project management, we trust you to bring products from concept to production seamlessly.

These key competences will set you up for success:

• Degree in Acoustic Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in acoustic engineering in the development of audio consumer goods or hearing protection products.
• 5+ years of management experience with a track record of managing and mentoring technical teams.
• Proficiency in English, our company language.

LOCATION:

Embrace the Antwerp office as your acoustic playground. We’re looking for candidates who can easily commute to our office in Antwerp. We’re also open to people who are willing relocate to Belgium.
If you are a visionary Senior Manager in Audio Engineering with strong leadership skills and a passion for innovation, we invite you to join our team at Loop.

• Directing Acoustic Development: Lead the development of acoustic technologies for our new products. Define and execute the strategic direction for acoustic engineering to achieve product innovation in line with our product roadmap.
• Team Leadership: Foster a collaborative and creative work environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and continuous learning. Inspire and manage a team of currently 5 full-time acoustic engineers. This team will grow together with Loop.
• Guiding the Research Roadmap: Help set the research agenda and priorities to align with the company’s objectives. Identify opportunities for advancements in acoustic technology and steer research initiatives according to our product roadmap.
• Technical Expertise: Bring your deep knowledge of acoustic engineering principles and methodologies to the team. Provide technical guidance, support, and mentorship to ensure high-quality outcomes.
• Innovation: Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies, leveraging this knowledge to drive innovation. Identify opportunities for patentable inventions and collaborate with legal teams when necessary.
• Project Oversight: Monitor project timelines, allocate resources, and manage budgets effectively. Ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget while maintaining the highest quality standards