Acoustic Designer

Acoustic Designer

DLR Group is an integrated design firm with a promise to elevate the human experience through design. This fuels the work we do around the world and inspires our mission to improve the lives of our clients, our communities, and our planet. If this sparks your interest, you're in the right place.

DLR Group's Acoustic Design team is growing. We're searching for an Acoustic Designer to join us in one of the following studios:

• Charlotte
• Chicago
• Cleveland
• Columbus
• Denver
• Lincoln
• Los Angeles
• Minneapolis
• Omaha
• Phoenix
• Portland
• Seattle
• Washington, DC

Position Summary

As an Acoustic Designer at DLR Group you will be responsible for applying your design skills in the realization of award-winning design projects. Along with traditional architecture and engineering design services, DLR Group provides innovative and integrated acoustic design solutions for music and drama spaces, cultural arts facilities, museums, institutional buildings, lecture halls, meeting rooms, courtrooms, and other built environments.

Acoustic Designers at DLR Group collaborate with many other design disciplines including architecture, mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering, as well as interior design and even landscape design. You will work closely with the Acoustic Design Leader and integrated design team members to support the preparation of markups, calculations, specifications, design reports, measurements, and drawing reviews. You will ensure the delivery of high-quality acoustic design solutions that meet project goals and adhere to schedules. In this role, you will also collaborate with the project manager to address client needs and maintain the financial health of the project, while coordinating the efforts of supporting acoustic designers assigned to the project.

What You Will Do

• Understand and communicate project and regulatory criteria to the design team to ensure compliance
• Research new products and methods to develop innovative design solutions that meet project goals and budgets
• Coordinate and guide the work of supporting acoustic design staff to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables
• Assist senior staff with project design reviews, documentation, acoustic calculations, sound isolation and other acoustic design work
• Ensure project information and recommendations are accurately incorporated into project documents and align with project objectives
• Apply DLR Group practice standards and develop technical skills to solve acoustic design challenges and deliver high-quality results
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and other project planners to provide acoustic design guidance on sound isolation, room acoustics, environmental noise and MEP noise and vibration control
• Ensure work products meet QA/QC procedures and are appropriate for the recipient, maintaining firm standards
• Communicate effectively with team members using written, oral, and visual communication methods to drive project success
• Manage deliverables to meet project deadlines and contribute to overall project profitability by understanding and following the project workplan
• Provide technical solutions to acoustic design challenges and align project outcomes with design and budgetary requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in acoustics, engineering, building sciences, or related field
• 2-10 years experience in acoustic consulting or related field
• A desire to learn about how acoustic design integrates into the architecture/engineering design process
• Basic knowledge of building acoustic concepts such as MEP noise and vibration control, room acoustics, sound isolation, and environmental noise
• Ability to calculate and estimate key design elements like HVAC background noise, sound isolation, sound propagation, and reverberation time
• Proficient in using spreadsheets, PDF documents, and acoustic software tools to provide clear design recommendations
• Ability to make or direct field measurements following industry and project-specific standards
• Strong understanding of design techniques, tools, and sustainable principles for producing precise technical plans, drawings, reports, and models
• Excellent written, verbal, and graphic communication skills with the ability to explain complex acoustic concepts clearly
• Strong multitasking abilities, capable of managing multiple projects in different design phases while maintaining high-quality standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Revit and/or AutoCAD
• Experience developing Revit tools and plugins
• Experience with acoustic modeling in programs such as CadnaA, CATT, EASE, and Grasshopper
• Experience with acoustic field measurements (reverberation time, sound isolation, environmental noise)
• Experience working in the design and construction industry, and/or knowledge of design and construction processes
• Knowledge or certification in LEED, WELL and other design industry acoustic criteria

Our comprehensive benefits at DLR Group include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401(k) plan, employee stock ownership, and bonus opportunities. Compensation considerations are based on location, experience, and skills. The suggested pay range for this position is:

Pay Range

$55,000 - $100,000 USD