Summer Placement

Job Title Summer Placement – Acoustics Engineer at Buro Happold Overview From helping shape entire cities to adapting infrastructure to deal with the climate emergency, a career at Buro Happold presents the chance to make a difference. With a world‑class reputation, our creativity and people have delivered positive change to clients, the environment, and communities. If you want to be part of something bigger, this is your chance. What is Acoustic Engineering? Outcome Focused Design – ‘Reverse engineering’ is based on the people‑centric results our clients want from their buildings, and 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, and 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 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 is our work with the prestige gym chain Equinox, which often retrofits its facilities inside existing listed buildings. Our relationship allows us to understand the unique aspirations of each site and tailor a dynamic, vibration isolation and sound insulation solution to each development based on the proposed activities. Another example was the new Faculty of Arts building at Warwick University, where a significant part of our role was to listen to the requirements of the different faculties and translate these into the language of engineering solutions. Challenge We're excited and motivated by the challenges, complexes, and difficulties. 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). Recent and Current Projects • The Sphere, Las Vegas (2019‑2023) – immersive experience venue with spherical acoustic challenges. • Google KGX1, London (2019‑ongoing) – acoustic fit‑out design for a purpose‑built 11‑storey building. • BBC Concert Studios, London (2017‑ongoing) – overseeing acoustic engineering for the new home of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Responsibilities Sound system design Sound insulation design Acoustic surveys, benchmarking and commissioning Room acoustics design and reverberation control Venue, performance space and concert hall design Structural vibration isolation and dynamics Control of external noise break‑in and façade & ventilation design Audio visual design Design and assessment of internal and external building services noise and vibration Public address and voice alarm design Activities Gain exposure on how to undertake detailed engineering design. Support the team in preparing technical schedules. Gain experience on how to plan and manage CAD documentation of design work. Under guidance of senior staff, represent Buro Happold at meetings with the client, other professionals and suppliers. Achieve a real understanding of what it is like to work in an engineering consultancy. Educational Background Currently studying towards a degree in one of the following subjects: Acoustics Acoustical Engineering Sound and Vibration studies Engineering Acoustics Architecture Mechanical Engineering Music Technology Audio & Broadcast Engineering Physics Sound Engineering Benefits and Development Broad insight within a team, mentored by a subject matter expert. The opportunity to experience our culture and values and learn what sets us apart from other organisations. Exposure to a wide range of portfolios, including local community‑led projects and large‑scale global clients. Flexibility, a friendly and close‑knit team, and a competitive reward package. Application Process Please see our Early Careers Candidate Pack for further guidance and information. This is a paid role for current students for an 8‑week placement taking place during Summer 2026. If you are experiencing problems with your application submission, please contact earlycareers@burohappold.com. Diversity & Inclusion 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. Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key; we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application. Seniority level Internship Employment type Full‑time Job function Engineering and Information Technology Industries Civil Engineering #J-18808-Ljbffr