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Acoustic Engineer

Prince William County, Virginia, MN, United States


Are you seeking a rewarding career in the Department of Public Works that can make a positive difference in the lives of Prince William County residents? The Department of Public Works is searching for a dependable, well-qualified, knowledgeable, and organized individual to fill the role of an Acoustic Engineer.

Prince William County, Department of Public Works, is seeking a qualified engineer with a strong background in acoustics to support the enforcement and development of the Prince William County Noise Ordinance. This position plays a key role in promoting public health, safety, and quality of life by managing environmental noise impacts across industrial, commercial, and residential areas.

About This Role
In this role you will lead and manage the enforcement efforts of the noise ordinance, gather evidence, issue notice of violations, offer noise mitigation strategies, engage with the public and community partners, develop policy and procedures, and prepare documentation for legal proceedings—all while adhering to the County’s commitment to equity and ethical community engagement.

Develop policies and procedures for the enforcement of the County noise ordinance.

Respond to complaints of potential noise ordinance violations.

Gather sound measurements in the field, download and analyze the data.

Analyze acoustic data and prepare detailed technical reports, findings, and recommendations for enforcement and/or mitigation.

Issue violation notices and testify in court proceedings.

Coordinate enforcement efforts with other agencies, departments, community partners, and stakeholders.

Review development and construction plans for compliance with noise ordinance and noise mitigation requirements.

Review and process requests for variances, building and development plans regarding noise mitigation, rezoning applications, proffer agreements, or special use permits.

Maintain and calibrate sound measurement equipment in accordance with professional and regulatory standards.

Contribute to the Department’s commitment to safety, team building, training, and professional development.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering and 3 years of related work experience in the field of acoustics.

Strong technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable reports.

Knowledge of sound measurement principles, noise propagation, and acoustic analysis tools.

Excellent time‑management skills while maintaining high‑performance standards.

Working knowledge of computer products such as MS Teams, MS Word, and MS Outlook.

Preferences

BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, preferably with coursework in acoustics.

Demonstrated understanding of sound pressure levels, octave bands, and frequency spectrums.

Experience with sound level mitigation and control in industrial, commercial, and residential environments.

Experience leading and managing noise control projects, individually and with a team.

Certification in noise measurement or environmental noise assessment (e.g., INCE Board Certification).

Experience using sound level meters, analyzing sound level data, and acoustic modeling software (e.g., SoundPLAN, CadnaA).

Experience working in or with government regulatory agencies.

Special Requirements

Valid driver’s license and a pass for a motor vehicle record check.

Work Schedule

Full‑time, exempt position.

Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Occasional evening or weekend work required for sound level measurements and community engagements.

Flexibility to work outside standard business hours, including early mornings and/or late evenings, based on operational needs.

Hiring Salary Range
C45 (37.5 schedule) $91,162.50 – $152,509.50

Eligible for a hiring bonus of $3,000.

Prince William County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Prince William County Government full‑time positions qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

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