Attacus Acoustics
Acoustic Product Development Engineer
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Location: Bristol, UK | Status: Open | Contact: info@attacus-acoustics.com
About Us
We are at the bleeding edge of biophysics and mechanical engineering, and have recently launched a transformative spin-out company. Our mission is to translate millions of years of biological evolution into next-generation commercial technology. By harnessing the remarkable acoustic camouflage properties of moth wings, we have developed patent-protected, bio-inspired sound absorbers that outperform traditional noise control solutions across multiple major market segments.
The Role
We are expanding our core R&D team and looking for an Acoustic Product Development Engineer. You will step into a highly collaborative, fast-paced deep-tech environment. Working side-by-side with our Lead R&D Engineer - who currently drives the scale-up and commercial viability of our biomimetic technology - you will be instrumental in translating complex biological blueprints into manufacturable, high-performance acoustic metamaterials.
This role offers a unique environment for hands-on innovation, where you will receive dedicated guidance from our senior technical leadership while taking direct ownership of the simulation and product development pipelines.
Key Responsibilities & Scope
- Advanced Simulation: Drive the digital refinement of our bio-inspired prototypes, utilising COMSOL Multiphysics, (Python and/or C++) and MATLAB to model the acoustic properties of 3D bio-inspired structures.
- Rapid Prototyping: Transform digital models into physical reality. You will actively build and iterate proof-of-concept acoustic metamaterials for laboratory testing and scaled commercial validation.
- Acoustic Characterisation: Work closely with the core team to physically test and validate the acoustic performance of new prototype iterations against our established baselines.
- Collaborative R&D: Engage in continuous technical exchange with our early adopters, ensuring your simulation data directly informs manufacturing simplifications and performance enhancements addressing commercial KPIs.
- Commercial Impact: Contribute to the generation of intellectual property and the development of prototypes measuring several square meters for industry-facing impact activities.
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Qualifications & Capabilities
- Academic Rigor: A Post-Graduate (or soon-to-be-completed Post-Graduation) in Acoustics, Biophysics, Mechanical Engineering, or a highly related discipline.
- Domain Expertise: A demonstrable understanding of metamaterials and their functional applications.
- Computational Skills: Proficiency in CAD, COMSOL Multiphysics, (Python and/or C++) and MATLAB for complex acoustic modeling and data analysis.
- Hands-On Fabrication: Proven experience in rapid prototyping methodologies (e.g., Advanced 3D printing, CNC, or composite manufacturing) and a passion for building physical hardware.
- The Deep-Tech Mindset: An enthusiasm for operating in the agile, highly innovative space between a premier academic institution and a commercial startup.
Mandatory Application Requirement: Technical Challenge Presentation
To ensure a mutual fit and to better understand your engineering approach, we require all applicants to submit a strict 5-slide PDF presentation alongside their CV. Applications without this presentation or over 5 slides will not be reviewed.
TECHNICAL SCENARIO
Scenario context: Our core technology relies on the 3-dimensional, double-layered micro-porosity of moth wings. Imagine we have just finalised a new digital biomimetic geometry that shows incredible theoretical broadband absorption. We now need to validate this digitally and build a physical 10cm x 10cm prototype to test in an impedance tube.
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Please structure your 5-slide PDF to address the following prompts:
- Slide 1: Title & Overview: Candidate introduction, technical background summary, and brief outline of presentation scope.
- Slide 2: The Simulation Approach (COMSOL/MATLAB): Outline your strategy for modeling this complex, double-layered porous structure. Specify which physics interfaces, boundary conditions, or modules in COMSOL you would prioritize to predict acoustic absorption accurately.
- Slide 3: The Prototyping Strategy: Translating micro-porosity into a physical macro-prototype is challenging. Explain how you would fabricate this 10cm x 10cm proof-of-concept. Specify the rapid prototyping methodology (e.g., specific 3D printing tech, materials, or hybrid methods) you would select and explain why.
- Slide 4: The Proof of Execution & Discrepancy Analysis: Provide 1–2 visual examples from past research/projects (e.g., a complex COMSOL mesh/result plot or a physical metamaterial prototype). Describe a specific instance when your simulation failed to match physical prototype testing, what caused the discrepancy, and how you physically fixed it.
- Slide 5: Summary & Engineering Philosophy: Synthesize your workflow integration from simulation to test, highlighting how you approach rapid iteration and deep-tech problem-solving.
FORMATTING & SUBMISSION RULES
- Strictly 5 slides
- Must be submitted as a PDF document alongside your CV
- Focus on engineering logic and problem-solving approach (we value how you think over a perfect, fully engineered solution).
- Please submit your applications directly to: info@attacus-acoustics.com
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