Lead Audio Engineer - Game Development

Placements24; Mbombela (Nelspruit); On-site; ZAR 550,000 - 850,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Performance bonuses

Retirement contributions

Career growth opportunities

Conferences and training

Job summary

Placements24 in Nelspruit is seeking a Lead Audio Engineer to oversee all game audio production, including SFX, music, and voice-overs. You will manage a team, shape sonic direction, and ensure immersive soundscapes across projects.

The role requires 7+ years in game audio with leadership experience, expertise in Wwise/FMOD, major DAWs, and familiarity with Unreal/Unity. This on-site position offers growth, competitive compensation, and collaboration with a talented studio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in audio/related field.
• 7+ years in game audio with 3+ in lead/senior role.
• Proficiency with Wwise or FMOD and major DAWs.
• Experience with Unreal/Unity and scripting is a plus.
• Strong acoustics/psychoacoustics knowledge for interactive media.
• Proven leadership, communication, and time-management skills.
• Portfolio of game audio work required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the audio team, setting direction and standards.
• Design, implement, and integrate game audio (SFX, music, VO).
• Develop and maintain audio pipelines and tools.
• Collaborate with designers, programmers, and artists on audio direction.
• Implement and mix audio in Unreal Engine/Unity for dynamic soundscapes.
• Manage audio budgets and vendor relations for outsourced work.
• QA of audio assets and implementations; stay current with tech.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering

Tools

Wwise

FMOD

Pro Tools

Logic Pro

Reaper

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, an award-winning game development studio based in Nelspruit , is seeking a Lead Audio Engineer to oversee all aspects of audio production for their exciting new projects. This senior role is responsible for the implementation, mixing, and overall sonic quality of games, ensuring an immersive and impactful auditory experience for players. You will lead a team of audio designers and engineers, manage audio pipelines, and collaborate closely with other departments to integrate sound effects, music, and voice-overs seamlessly. The ideal candidate possesses a masterful command of audio technology, a strong creative sensibility, and proven leadership skills within the game audio domain. This is a prime opportunity to shape the soundscapes of cutting-edge interactive entertainment in the Mpumalanga region.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the audio team, providing direction, mentorship, and technical guidance.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and integration of all game audio elements, including sound effects, music, and voice-overs.
• Develop and maintain audio pipelines and tools to ensure efficient workflow and high-quality results.
• Collaborate with game designers, programmers, and artists to define and implement the audio direction for projects.
• Implement and mix audio in game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity), ensuring dynamic and responsive soundscapes.
• Manage audio budgets and vendor relationships for outsourced audio work.
• Conduct quality assurance for all audio assets and implementations.
• Stay current with the latest audio technologies, middleware (e.g., Wwise, FMOD), and industry best practices.
• Troubleshoot audio-related issues and provide timely solutions.
• Contribute creative ideas to enhance the player experience through sound design and music.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Music Technology, Sound Design, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in game audio development, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior engineering role.
• Proven experience with audio middleware such as Wwise or FMOD.
• Proficiency in digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or Reaper.
• Experience with game engines (Unreal Engine, Unity) and scripting languages is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of acoustics, psychoacoustics, and audio mixing for interactive media.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• A portfolio showcasing a range of impressive game audio work is required.
• Passion for video games and a deep understanding of how audio contributes to gameplay and immersion.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including medical aid, performance bonuses, and retirement contributions.
• Employees benefit from ample opportunities for professional growth, including access to specialized audio training and conferences.
• The studio provides a creative and collaborative work environment in Nelspruit , fostering innovation and excellence in game audio development.
• This role offers the chance to make a significant impact on the sound of high-profile game titles.