Lead Music Composer - Interactive Media

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Competitive salary

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town is seeking a Lead Music Composer to orchestrate the sonic identity of upcoming narrative-driven game projects. Based in Cape Town with a hybrid work model, you will compose original scores, lead a team of composers, and align music with emotional arcs and gameplay.

You will collaborate across directors, designers, and audio engineers, directing recording sessions, implementing music in engines, and managing budgets and timelines to shape a memorable auditory experience.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Music Composer in the video game industry.
• Experience leading a creative team or project management.
• Expertise in orchestration and music production using major DAWs.
• Strong knowledge of adaptive music systems and real-time implementation in game engines.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work in a hybrid environment.
• Passion for storytelling through music.

Responsibilities

• Compose original, high-quality scores for various game genres, adapting to moods and narrative beats.
• Lead and mentor a team of composers, providing direction and managing workflow.
• Collaborate with directors, designers, and audio engineers to ensure music enhances gameplay.
• Develop and implement the audio strategy for music in engines and middleware.
• Oversee music recording sessions and ensure production quality.
• Manage music budgets and project timelines effectively.
• Contribute to sound design aesthetics and musical cohesion.
• Stay abreast of emerging music technologies and techniques.

Skills

Music composition

Orchestration

Music production

Leadership

Adaptive scoring

Tools

Logic Pro

Cubase

Pro Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Wwise

FMOD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned studio specializing in narrative-driven experiences, is seeking a visionary Lead Music Composer to orchestrate the sonic identity of their upcoming projects. Based in the vibrant city of Cape Town, Western Cape, ZA, this role offers a hybrid work model, blending collaborative in-office sessions with the flexibility of remote work. You will be responsible for composing original scores, leading a team of composers, and ensuring the musical narrative aligns perfectly with the emotional arc and gameplay of our titles. This is an opportunity to influence the artistic direction of highly anticipated projects and contribute to a legacy of critically acclaimed entertainment. We seek a composer with a profound understanding of orchestral and electronic music, a knack for adaptive scoring, and the leadership skills to inspire a creative team.

Key Responsibilities

• Compose original, high-quality musical scores for various game genres, adapting to different moods, gameplay scenarios, and narrative beats.
• Lead and mentor a team of freelance and in-house composers, providing creative direction, feedback, and managing workflow.
• Collaborate with the game development team, including directors, designers, and audio engineers, to ensure the music enhances the player's experience.
• Develop and implement the audio implementation strategy for music, working with audio middleware and engines.
• Oversee music recording sessions, ensuring the highest quality of performance and production.
• Manage music budgets and project timelines effectively.
• Contribute to the overall sound design aesthetic of the project, ensuring musical cohesion.
• Stay abreast of emerging music technologies and compositional techniques in interactive media.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Music Composer in the video game industry, with a portfolio showcasing diverse and impactful scores.
• Demonstrated experience leading a creative team or managing musical projects.
• Exceptional skills in composition, orchestration, and music production using DAWs such as Logic Pro, Cubase, or Pro Tools.
• A strong understanding of adaptive music systems and real-time music implementation in game engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment, balancing remote and in-office responsibilities.
• A deep appreciation for storytelling and the ability to translate emotional themes into music.
• Experience with audio middleware like Wwise or FMOD is advantageous.

Benefits

This role offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and the unique opportunity to work on ambitious projects within a stunning location. You'll enjoy a dynamic work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to shape the musical legacy of our client. Experience the best of both worlds with our hybrid model, allowing for focused individual work and vibrant team collaboration.