Lead Music Composer

Placements24; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 650,000 - 950,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

State-of-the-art audio gear

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Lead Music Composer to oversee the musical direction for flagship interactive projects in Johannesburg. You will conceptualize, compose, and produce original scores that enhance immersion and drive emotion across titles.

You will lead a small team of composers and sound designers, collaborate with designers and audio directors, and ensure high-quality assets from orchestral to electronic themes. A strong leadership track and game audio expertise are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a Music Composer for video games or interactive media.
• Demonstrated leadership or lead composer experience.
• Expertise with DAWs (Logic Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools) and notation software.
• Strong music theory, orchestration, and genre versatility.
• Proficiency with audio middleware (Wwise, FMOD) and game engines.

Responsibilities

• Compose original music scores for video games and interactive projects.
• Define and maintain the overall musical vision and style.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of composers and sound designers.
• Collaborate with game designers, narrative designers, and audio directors.
• Produce high-quality audio assets, including orchestral scores and electronic soundscapes.
• Oversee mixing and mastering of all musical compositions.
• Implement music into game engines using middleware (Wwise, FMOD).
• Research trends in game music and audio; stay current with industry practices.
• Manage music budgets and licensing where applicable.

Skills

Lead composer experience

Team leadership

Music theory & orchestration

Game audio implementation

Collaboration & communication

Adaptive composition across genres

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music Composition

Tools

Logic Pro

Cubase

Pro Tools

Wwise

FMOD

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding digital entertainment studio based in Johannesburg , is seeking a talented and innovative Lead Music Composer to join their creative team. This role involves overseeing the entire musical direction and composition for their flagship interactive projects. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, composing, and producing original scores that evoke powerful emotions and enhance player immersion. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of various musical genres, audio production techniques, and the technical requirements of game audio implementation. You will lead a small team of composers and sound designers, ensuring musical coherence and artistic excellence across multiple titles. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the sonic identity of cutting-edge entertainment experiences and leave your mark on the industry. We are looking for a visionary composer with strong leadership qualities.

Key Responsibilities

• Compose original music scores for video games and interactive media projects.
• Define and maintain the overall musical vision and style for assigned projects.
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of composers and sound designers.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, narrative designers, and audio directors.
• Produce high-quality audio assets, including orchestral scores, electronic soundscapes, and character themes.
• Oversee the mixing and mastering of all musical compositions.
• Implement and integrate music into game engines using middleware (e.g., Wwise, FMOD).
• Conduct research and stay informed about current trends in game music and audio.
• Manage music budgets and licensing where applicable.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Music Composer, with a significant portfolio of work in video games or interactive media.
• Demonstrated experience in a leadership or lead composer role.
• Expertise in music composition software (DAWs such as Logic Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools) and notation software.
• Strong understanding of music theory, orchestration, and arrangement across various genres.
• Proficiency with audio middleware (Wwise, FMOD) and game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine).
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to articulate creative ideas.
• Experience in leading and managing creative teams.
• Strong understanding of audio engineering, mixing, and mastering principles.
• Bachelor's degree in Music Composition, Audio Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Passion for video games and interactive entertainment.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive contract rate commensurate with experience and a flexible hybrid work arrangement. You will have the opportunity to work on high-profile, innovative projects that reach a global audience. Our client provides a stimulating and collaborative creative environment that encourages artistic exploration and professional growth. Access to state-of-the-art audio equipment and software is provided. This role offers the potential for long-term collaboration on exciting new ventures within the gaming industry.