Lead Interactive Music Programmer

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,996,000 - 2,994,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Stock options

Home office stipend

Flexible hours across time zones

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Interactive Music Programmer to architect and implement immersive interactive music systems for AAA titles. This fully remote role blends advanced C++ development with audio middleware integration to ensure soundtracks respond dynamically to gameplay and player actions.

You will lead the technical vision, mentor junior programmers and audio engineers, and collaborate with composers, sound designers, and game designers across a distributed team.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software development experience, with at least 5 years focused on game audio programming.
• Proven experience leading technical audio projects or teams.
• Expertise in C++ programming and scripting languages (e.g., Lua, Python).
• Deep understanding of audio middleware (Wwise, FMOD) and their integration with game engines (Unreal/Unity).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced interactive music systems.
• Collaborate with composers, sound designers, and game designers to define audio vision for projects.
• Develop and maintain tools and plugins for music authoring and integration within proprietary game engines.
• Optimize music playback systems for performance across PC and consoles.
• Mentor and guide junior programmers and audio engineers on the team.
• Troubleshoot and debug complex audio-related programming issues.
• Research and implement cutting-edge audio technologies for interactive music.
• Ensure seamless integration of Wwise or FMOD with the game engine for dynamic music playback.

Skills

C++

Scripting (Lua/Python)

Game audio programming

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Engineering

Tools

Wwise

FMOD

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a globally recognized leader in digital entertainment, and they are seeking a highly experienced Lead Interactive Music Programmer to join their esteemed development team. This position is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere. You will be instrumental in architecting and implementing sophisticated interactive music systems for upcoming AAA titles. This role requires a unique blend of programming expertise and a deep passion for music and audio. You will lead the technical vision for music integration, ensuring our soundtracks are not just heard, but felt, dynamically responding to gameplay and player actions. Join a forward-thinking company that values innovation and empowers its remote workforce to create groundbreaking experiences for a worldwide audience. If you thrive on technical challenges and have a knack for making music truly come alive in a game, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced interactive music systems using C++ and scripting languages.
• Collaborate with composers, sound designers, and game designers to define and realize the audio vision for projects.
• Develop and maintain tools and plugins for music authoring and integration within proprietary game engines.
• Optimize music playback systems for performance across various platforms, including PC and consoles.
• Mentor and guide junior programmers and audio engineers on the team, fostering technical growth.
• Troubleshoot and debug complex audio-related programming issues.
• Research and implement cutting-edge audio technologies and techniques related to interactive music.
• Ensure seamless integration of Wwise or FMOD with the game engine for dynamic music playback.

Requirements

• 10+ years of professional software development experience, with at least 5 years focused on game audio programming.
• Proven experience leading technical audio projects or teams.
• Expertise in C++ programming and experience with scripting languages (e.g., Lua, Python).
• Deep understanding of audio middleware (Wwise, FMOD) and their integration with game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Strong knowledge of audio principles, real-time audio processing, and interactive music systems.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git).
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a remote setting.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employees are eligible for a performance-based bonus structure and stock options.
• Our client provides a generous home office stipend to ensure a productive work environment, along with flexible working hours that accommodate different time zones.
• Professional development is actively encouraged, with access to online courses, conference attendance, and internal training programs.
• You’ll be joining a talented, globally distributed team with a strong emphasis on work-life balance and a culture of continuous innovation.
• This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of game audio from the comfort of your own home.