Audio Quality Assurance Lead

Cutting Edge Music Tech - On-Demand Vinyl Records

We are seeking an Audio Quality Assurance Lead to help us revolutionise the music industry. The company has invented a new technology to produce on-demand vinyl records and built a web platform for music creators to create and sell their products worldwide via our store at zero cost. We are working with the leading record labels, streaming services, digital service providers, distributors, and iconic global artists who are keen to partner with us to build a global solution for physical media. But most of all, we would also like to give small artists and artists at the beginning of their careers frictionless access to offer vinyl and CD to their fans via our innovative solution and planned production/fulfilment centres in Europe, the USA and Asia.

The vinyl market has been growing on average more than 20% yearly over the last 16 years, and even CDs are growing for the first time in two decades. Over 30 million creators are releasing their music online today, and they are growing 30% a year. They represent the fastest-growing music segment. Most of them would like to have their music on vinyl or CD for their friends & family, and especially their fans. elasticStage will provide them with easy and affordable access via its unique and scalable on-demand tech.

We are seeking an Audio Quality Assurance Lead to provide stable, hands-on leadership for our established audio QA function. This role is responsible for defining and embedding pragmatic, process-driven ways of working that ensure our products consistently meet audio quality expectations across manufacturing sites. You will lead and support teams of audio engineers, oversee quality workflows, act upon customer-facing audio issues, and drive clear reporting of audio quality metrics to the wider business. The role requires strong technical judgement and the ability to collaborate effectively with specialist engineering stakeholders to ensure standards are consistently met in real-world production environments.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of audio engineering, quality assurance and manufacturing in a fast-growing industry disruptor.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to the Audio QA function, including team development, performance management, resource planning, and cross-site coordination.
• Establish and maintain frameworks for audio quality assessment, ensuring structured evaluation methods, consistent decision-making, and adherence to defined standards, as well as
• Own quality performance oversight, including defining KPIs, monitoring trends, identifying systemic risks, and driving corrective and preventive actions.
• Lead cross-functional issue management, ensuring effective escalation, resolution ownership, and structured communication with specialist engineering and stakeholder teams.
• Represent Audio QA at a business level, contributing to partner discussions, high-priority product reviews, and quality-related decision-making forums.

Requirements:
Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Audio Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Proven experience leading or managing an audio QA, audio engineering, or quality-focused technical team.
• Demonstrated experience building or strengthening processes, governance models, and performance frameworks within a technical function.
• Knowledge of critical listening, with experience in organising and overseeing structured audio evaluation approaches combining both subjective and objective criteria.
• Solid understanding of core audio fundamentals, including frequency response, phase, distortion, loudness, noise, and signal flow.
• Experience in leading a team working with a variety of digital audio tooling and software, both commercially available and bespoke.
• Experience defining and reporting quality metrics, KPIs, and performance dashboards to senior stakeholders.
• Experience overseeing issue management frameworks, including risk assessment, escalation pathways, and cross-functional coordination.
• Experience operating within manufacturing, production, or other operational delivery environments and working in collaboration with a customer service team.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across technical and non-technical teams.

Nice to Haves

• Experience managing distributed or multi-site technical teams.
• Experience contributing structured subjective audio input to support refinement of quality expectations.
• Familiarity with external partner management, supplier quality discussions, or product collaboration environments.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives within a quality or operational function.
• Exposure to regulated or standards-driven product environments.

Benefits:
What We Offer

• Industry-Leading Salary Package: Enjoy a highly competitive salary package that rewards your expertise and hard work.
• Generous Paid Holiday: Take advantage of 25 days of paid holiday to relax and recharge.
• Comprehensive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our robust pension scheme.
• Cutting-Edge Tech Office Environment: Work in a modern, tech-driven office environment equipped with the latest tools and technology.
• Free Snacks and Beverages: Enjoy free snacks and beverages to keep you energised throughout the day.
• Medical Insurance: Protect yourself with our comprehensive medical insurance plan.

Work Location

• This is a 4-day-per-week on-site role working closely with teams at our production sites, primarily at Elstree but also potentially including other future locations as the company grows.