Lead Audio Engineer & Sound Designer

Placements24; United States; Híbrido; USD 48.000 - 73.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Health benefits

Hybrid work model

Conference opportunities

State-of-the-art equipment

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Audio Engineer & Sound Designer to shape the sonic direction for AAA titles in a hybrid work setting in Gauteng. The role demands mentoring junior designers and delivering immersive soundscapes across the development cycle.

You will oversee sound design pipelines, record voice sessions, integrate audio with game engines, and collaborate closely with designers and programmers to ensure high-quality audio that enhances storytelling and gameplay.

Formación

• Extensive leadership in game audio
• High-quality Foley, SFX, and environmental audio
• Experience directing voice actors and dialogue recording sessions
• Portfolio of game sound design is mandatory

Responsabilidades

• Lead the sound design team with artistic direction and technical guidance.
• Design, implement, and mix immersive sound effects and Foley for interactive experiences.
• Develop and maintain audio middleware integration for the game engine (Wwise/FMOD).
• Collaborate with designers, programmers and artists to integrate audio with gameplay and narrative.
• Record and process voice-overs, mentoring junior staff and standards across projects.
• Create and manage audio asset pipelines and documentation for workflows.
• Conduct field recordings and source unique assets from sound libraries.
• Optimize audio performance to meet hardware constraints without quality loss.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in game audio.

Conocimientos

Lead role

Game audio

Pro Tools

Wwise

FMOD

Unreal/Unity

Educación

Bachelor's in Audio Eng

Herramientas

Pro Tools

Reaper

Cubase

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a renowned leader in the interactive entertainment industry, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Audio Engineer & Sound Designer to join their innovative team. This role is based in Tembisa, Gauteng , and offers a hybrid work arrangement, combining the flexibility of remote work with the collaborative energy of an in-office environment. You will be responsible for defining and implementing the audio vision for our cutting-edge projects, overseeing the entire sound design pipeline from conception to final implementation. As a lead, you will mentor junior team members and champion audio excellence throughout the development cycle, ensuring our games deliver an immersive and unforgettable auditory experience. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the sonic landscapes of AAA titles and contribute to the artistic direction of award-winning productions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the sound design team, providing artistic direction and technical guidance for all audio aspects of game development.
• Design, implement, and mix immersive sound effects, ambient environments, and Foley for interactive experiences.
• Develop and maintain the audio middleware integration, ensuring seamless implementation within the game engine.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, programmers, and artists to integrate audio seamlessly with gameplay and narrative.
• Record, edit, and process voice-overs and character dialogue, ensuring high-quality vocal performances.
• Create and manage audio asset pipelines, libraries, and documentation for efficient workflow.
• Conduct field recordings and utilize extensive sound effect libraries to source and craft unique audio assets.
• Optimize audio performance to meet technical specifications and hardware limitations without compromising quality.
• Mentor and train junior sound designers and audio engineers, fostering their professional growth.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices in game audio development.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in game audio development, with a significant portion in a lead or senior sound designer role.
• Proven ability to create high-quality sound effects, Foley, and environmental audio for games.
• Proficiency with industry-standard Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools, Reaper, or Cubase.
• Experience with audio middleware solutions like Wwise or FMOD.
• Strong understanding of game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and their audio systems.
• Excellent understanding of acoustics, psychoacoustics, and audio mixing techniques for immersive sound.
• Experience in directing voice actors and managing dialogue recording sessions.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a hybrid team environment.
• A portfolio demonstrating exceptional sound design and mixing skills for games is mandatory.
• Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Music Technology, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and a generous performance-based bonus structure.
• Employees benefit from a hybrid work model that balances remote flexibility with in-office collaboration, ample paid time off, and opportunities for continuous learning and professional development.
• We provide access to state-of-the-art audio equipment and software, and encourage participation in industry conferences.
• Join a passionate team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of interactive audio and crafting unforgettable gaming experiences.