From helping shape entire cities to adapting infrastructure to deal with the climate emergency, a career at Vanguardia (A Buro Happold Company) presents the chance to make a difference. With a world-class reputation, our creativity and our people have delivered positive change to clients, the environment, and communities alike. If you want to be part of something bigger, this is your chance.
What is Acoustic Engineering?
Outcome focused design: ‘Reverse engineering’ from the people-centric results our clients want from their stadia and venues, we develop and use the most advanced computational tools to inform our designs. Good examples include the AVIVA Studios, Manchester where we created a mathematical prediction of the response to mounting the building façade on bearings to contain music noise, or at a well-known web giant’s European HQ in central London where we used novel modelling techniques to predict how much colleagues would be distracted by each other’s noise in an open plan office.
Communication: But it’s not about the tools – our focus is on being able to communicate the results to our clients across key technical areas such as noise break-in, internal sound transmission, reverberation control, building services noise, structural dynamics, audio-visual design, public address and voice alarm, and vibration. A key focus is engagement. An example of this is our work with the prestige gym chain Equinox which often retrofits their facilities inside existing listed buildings.
Challenge: We’re excited and motivated by the challenging, complex, and difficult. Our team loves applying industry-leading innovation on the hardest challenges, from the ultra-high-tech (such as the award-winning Dyson campus and Imperial College Michael Uren buildings) to the curiously unusual (such as the one-of-a-kind architectural form of the Museum of the Future).
What sort of projects would I work on?
Recent and current projects:
1. The new home for the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the world-famous BBC Maida Vale recording studios, providing rehearsal, recording, and performance space for some of the world’s most famous artists.
2. Spotify European HQ, Berlin, 2019 – ongoing, where Buro Happold has been engaged to ensure the main atrium of their headquarters can function as a performance space.
3. HOME, Manchester, UK, 2015-2017, a flagship multi-media centre incorporating a cinema, gallery, theatres, and café area, where Buro Happold’s acoustic team provided outstanding levels of sound insulation design.
4. The Factory – Manchester, UK, 2017-2023, a unique new cultural venue developed on the former Granada Studios site.
What would I do?
1. Acoustic surveys, benchmarking and commissioning
2. Venue, performance space and concert hall design
3. Structural vibration isolation and dynamics
4. Control of external noise break-in and façade & ventilation design
5. Audio visual and sound system design
6. Design and assessment of internal and external building services noise and vibration
7. Public address and voice alarm design
What degree would I have studied?
1. Acoustics
2. Acoustical Engineering
3. Sound and Vibration studies
4. Mechanical Engineering
5. Music Technology
6. Audio & Broadcast Engineering
7. Physics
8. Sound Engineering
Application Process
We typically complete shortlisting after the role has closed. Therefore, you can expect to hear from us with 2-4 weeks of the job closing on our website. Should you wish to contact us to find out more information or to get an update, please contact earlycareers@burohappold.com.
Please note that this role is for an Autumn 2025 start.
A place for everyone
Buro Happold values an individual’s flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.
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