Technical Project Manager, R&D

Job Type Full-time Description

Turn Your Passion for Audio into Groundbreaking Innovation 

Sonance is an industry leading manufacturer of Custom Install speakers and audio electronics. At Sonance, we believe life is better with music. Our mission is to create audio experiences that are heard, not seen. For over 40 years, we've been revolutionizing the audio industry with innovative solutions that seamlessly integrate into our customers' lives. 

We're seeking a highly skilled and motivated Technical Project Manager to drive product development projects alongside our tight-knit R&D team. In our collaborative, small-team environment, you'll have significant influence on both product direction and company strategy—this is a high-impact role where your decisions and technical leadership truly matter. If you're energized by close collaboration, passionate about music and technology, thrive on working across multiple technical domains, and want to help shape the future of a respected audio brand—this is your opportunity to make your mark at Sonance!

**This position is on-site in San Clemente, CA.

About Sonance

Since 1983, we've grown from our San Clemente headquarters into a global leader across three innovative brands - Sonance, James Loudspeaker, and IPORT. Our solutions enhance audio experiences in over 75 countries, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in both residential and commercial spaces. Our Electronics R&D team is a collaborative and innovative group focused on developing world-class audio amplifiers and related electronics.

Your Mission

As a Technical Project Manager (TPM), you will play a pivotal role in bringing new products to life. This role requires a strong blend of project management skills, technical expertise, and leadership. You'll oversee the entire product development lifecycle, working closely with internal teams and global partners to ensure products are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the product development lifecycle, from definition to manufacturing ramp-up and product launch.
• Collaborate with Product Managers on new product definitions and resource planning. 
• Create and maintain thorough project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocations.
• Partner with the NPI team to ensure smooth product launches.
• Coordinate efforts across teams, internal and external, to ensure alignment and prioritization.
• Oversee prototype validation with the Validation Engineer and Contract Manufacturer (CM) to test hardware and software prototypes, ensuring the product meets operational, performance, and regulatory requirements. 
• Drive resolution of development issues both technical and non-technical in nature. 
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement in product development processes.
• Serve as technical thought partner to engineering team, facilitating design discussions and helping unblock technical challenges across disciplines.

Requirements

• BS Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Audio, Physics, IT, or similar degree or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years working in the audio industry, ideally combining roles in project management, hardware-development, software development, and test/validation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively across diverse cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing projects in small, agile engineering teams (10 people or fewer) where team members wear multiple hats.
• 4+ years’ experience working with Asia-based Suppliers and Contract Manufacturers.
• Extensive knowledge of audio electronics and amplifiers—this expertise is essential.
• Strong project management skills and proficiency with project management tools.
• Hands-on experience working across the full product stack: hardware design, embedded firmware/software, application software, networking protocols, and web UI development.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, up to 15% of the time.

Preferred Experience & Skills

Strongly Preferred (should have 3+ of these):

• Hands-on experience with small-signal audio, mixed signal, power amplifier, and power-supply circuits.
• Digital and mixed-signal circuit design and troubleshooting (processors, I2C, I2S, DACs, ADCs, etc.).
• Networking experience, including protocols, hardware design, and troubleshooting. 
• Embedded software design, testing, and debugging expertise.
• Familiarity with embedded Linux product development.
• Experience with networked audio product development and configuration.

Nice To Have:

• PMP certification. 
• Functional knowledge of Danish or Mandarin. 
• Experience with project and bug tracking tools like Jira, Confluence, and MS Project.

What Success Looks Like 

• Successfully launch 2 product lines through the full development cycle within the first 18–24 months.
• Build strong collaborative relationships with internal teams and global partners.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with 2–3 key contract manufacturers. 
• Actively engage with customers and integrators to understand their challenges, then champion bringing that feedback into product development.
• Inspire and motivate teams to achieve shared goals. 
• Demonstrate leadership in both technical and project management capacities.
• Make customer-focused, experience-driven decisions. 
• Clearly report project statuses, issues, and opportunities. 
• Champion a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and excellence. 
• Rigorous and methodical approach to problem solving, while embracing creative solutions.

What to Expect: In a typical week, you might review PCB layouts with the hardware engineer, debug a network discovery issue with the software team, participate in a design review with our Danish partners via video call, update project timelines, and coordinate prototype builds with the CM. You'll need to context-switch frequently and be comfortable operating with ambiguity. 

Your Next Step

Ready to turn your passion for audio excellence into groundbreaking products? Join us in shaping the future of custom-installed audio solutions and apply today! 

Where Innovation Meets Audio Excellence 

Sonance is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. 

Salary Description $150,000 plus yearly bonus