Lead Sound Designer

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,482,000 - 2,470,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work

Geographic flexibility

Long-term contracting opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Lead Sound Designer for a fully remote, contract-based role in the digital arts and entertainment space. You will drive the sonic direction for a portfolio of immersive projects, crafting from concept to final implementation and collaborating with global creatives.

The ideal candidate brings a track record in audio direction, strong knowledge of spatial audio, DAWs, and middleware, and a leadership mindset for remote teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as Sound Designer or Audio Director in games or interactive media.
• Proficiency with DAWs and audio middleware, and engine integration.
• Experience leading remote teams and collaborating with cross‑functional creatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead sound design strategy and execution for multiple projects.
• Compose, record, edit, and mix sounds, music, dialogue, and ambiances.
• Collaborate with developers, directors, and producers to realize vision.
• Implement audio assets within game engines and interactive platforms.
• Mentor junior designers and audio engineers in a remote team.
• Develop and maintain a library of sound assets.
• Research emerging technologies like spatial audio and real‑time processing.
• Ensure audio deliverables meet technical specs and quality benchmarks.

Skills

Sound design

Audio engineering

Leadership

Remote team management

DAWs

Game audio middleware

Unreal/Unity

Spatial audio / immersion

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in Audio Engineering / Music Tech

Tools

Pro Tools

Logic Pro

Reaper

Ableton Live

Wwise

FMOD

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge innovator in the digital arts and entertainment industry, is actively seeking a highly skilled and visionary Lead Sound Designer for a fully remote, contract-based opportunity. This critical role involves spearheading the sound design direction for a portfolio of high-impact interactive projects and immersive experiences. You will be responsible for crafting the auditory landscape, from concept through to final implementation, ensuring an unparalleled sonic experience for our audiences worldwide. As a remote-first organization, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and productive virtual environment. We are looking for a seasoned professional with a proven track record in sound design, who possesses a deep understanding of audio engineering, immersive audio technologies, and the unique demands of the entertainment sector. This position offers the unique advantage of contributing your expertise from any global location, allowing for unparalleled flexibility while making a substantial impact on award-winning projects. Embrace the opportunity to define the sound of the future from the comfort of your own studio.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the sound design strategy and execution for all assigned projects, ensuring a cohesive and impactful auditory experience.
• Compose, record, edit, and mix sound effects, music, dialogue, and ambiances to the highest standards.
• Collaborate closely with game developers, directors, producers, and other creatives to interpret project vision and translate it into sonic elements.
• Implement and optimize audio assets within various game engines and interactive platforms.
• Manage and mentor junior sound designers and audio engineers within the remote team.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive library of sound assets.
• Research and integrate emerging audio technologies, such as spatial audio and real-time audio processing.
• Ensure all audio deliverables meet technical specifications and quality benchmarks.
• Troubleshoot and resolve audio-related issues throughout the development cycle.

Requirements

• Extensive professional experience as a Sound Designer or Audio Director in the games or interactive entertainment industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in audio engineering, mixing, and mastering, with a portfolio showcasing exceptional sound design work for interactive media.
• Proficiency with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Reaper, or Ableton Live.
• Experience with game audio middleware (e.g., Wwise, FMOD) and engine integration (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Strong understanding of acoustics, psychoacoustics, and audio signal processing.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, essential for managing a remote team.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and guide creative direction.
• Experience in composing original music or a strong network of composer collaborators is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Music Technology, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.

Benefits

• Highly competitive contractor rate commensurate with extensive experience and expertise.
• Full remote work arrangement, offering exceptional geographical flexibility.
• Opportunity to lead audio for high-profile, innovative projects in the digital arts and entertainment sector.
• Collaborate with a talented and passionate international team of creatives.
• Gain exposure to cutting-edge audio technologies and development pipelines.
• Potential for long-term engagement and future project involvement.
• Be at the forefront of shaping the sonic experiences of tomorrow.