Software Engineer, Audio - Unannounced Game

Activision Blizzard, Inc.; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 51,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is seeking an Audio Software Engineer to join an unannounced game project at Irvine, CA. You will develop and integrate real-time audio systems and tools with cross-functional teams.

This mid‑level IC role emphasizes collaboration, high‑quality audio, and performance optimization within a hybrid work setup onsite and from home.

Qualifications

• Strong C++ programming skills with performance analysis and optimization.
• Experience delivering AAA-quality features as part of cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing systems/tools for games in production.
• Knowledge of game audio concepts and middleware is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Implement and support game-based audio systems and tools under guidance of senior engineers.
• Collaborate with audio, design, and engineering to integrate audio features meeting requirements.
• Improve existing audio tools and workflows to support content creation.
• Assist with runtime audio development, debugging, and performance optimization.
• Document audio systems, workflows, and technical constraints clearly.
• Participate in code reviews and maintain code quality and best practices.
• Uphold Blizzard’s core values through collaborative, player‑focused development.

Skills

C++ programming

Cross-functional collaboration

Real-time audio systems

AAA game development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

FMOD

Wwise

Unreal Engine

Job description

Team Name:

Unannounced Project

Job Title:

Software Engineer, Audio - Unannounced Game

Requisition ID:

R026889

Job Description:

At Blizzard, we craft genre‑defining games and legendary worlds for all to share. Through unparalleled creativity and technical excellence, we create immersive universes and iconic experiences that are beloved across platforms, borders, backgrounds, and generations – only made possible by building a work environment that nurtures the artistry of game development and unleashes the aspirations of our people.

We are looking for an Audio Software Engineer to help craft a new, unannounced game for Blizzard. As a mid‑level individual contributor, you will contribute to the development, implementation, and support of gameplay audio systems and tools. You will collaborate closely with audio, design, narrative, and engineering teams to help deliver robust, performant, and expressive audio experiences that support Blizzard’s core value of For the Love of Play.

This role is anticipated to be a hybrid work position, with some work onsite and some work from home. The home studio for this role is Irvine, CA.

Responsibilities

Priorities can often change in a fast‑paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:

• Implement and support game-based audio systems and tools under the guidance of senior and principal engineers.
• Work closely with audio, design, and engineering partners to integrate audio features that meet creative and technical project requirements.
• Contribute to improvements of existing audio tools and workflows to support efficient content creation.
• Assist with runtime audio development, debugging, and performance optimization.
• Author and maintain clear documentation related to audio systems, workflows, and technical constraints.
• Participate in code reviews and collaborate with peers to maintain code quality and best practices.
• Uphold Blizzard’s core values through respectful, collaborative, and player‑focused development.

Experience

• 5+ years of professional experience in game‑systems engineering or related software‑engineering roles.
• Experience developing systems or tools for games in a production environment.
• Experience contributing to shipped game titles on PC and/or console platforms.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong C++ programming skills, including performance analysis and optimization.
• Experience delivering AAA-quality features and experiences as part of a cross‑functional team.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to cross‑disciplinary partners.

Key Attributes

• A passion and interest in real‑time game‑audio systems development.
• A collaborative, team‑oriented mindset with a strong desire to learn and grow.
• A player‑first approach to development, with attention to audio quality and gameplay impact.
• Comfort working in a dynamic environment with evolving priorities.
• Curiosity and initiative to improve systems, workflows, and personal craft.

Extra Points

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience shipping games across multiple platforms.
• Working knowledge of game‑audio systems and real‑time audio concepts.
• Understanding of audio signal‑processing fundamentals, including mixing, sample rates, compression, filters, reverbs, and 3D positional audio.
• Experience working with audio middleware such as FMOD or Wwise.
• Music or sound‑design experience, including composition, sound design, synthesis, or audio engineering.
• Experience working with the Unreal engine (Both C++ and Blueprint).
• Strong mathematical foundation (e.g., linear algebra, trigonometry).

Our Platform

Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. www.blizzard.com, a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre‑defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.

Our World

Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world’s largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment. We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

The video game industry and therefore our business is fast‑paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under‑represent​ed groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to [e-mail]. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered! Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $37.26 - $68.93 Hourly. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.