Lead Sound Designer - Game Development

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonuses

Medical and dental insurance

Provident fund

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is representing a prominent game development studio in Pretoria, Gauteng, seeking a Lead Sound Designer to spearhead the audio experience for forthcoming titles. You will define sonic identity, create immersive soundscapes, and guide a talented audio team.

This hybrid role blends studio collaboration in Pretoria with focused remote work, offering opportunities to work with cutting-edge audio tech, develop audio pipelines, and elevate gameplay immersion through proactive leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Game Design, or related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years in sound design, with 3+ years in lead/senior role in games.
• Expertise in immersive sound design and dynamic game audio using Wwise/FM0D/Pro Tools.
• Strong middleware integration and game engine pipeline knowledge (Unreal/Unity).
• Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of sound designers.
• Excellent listening, detail orientation, and troubleshooting skills.
• Portfolio showcasing standout game sound design work.

Responsibilities

• Lead the sound design team with creative direction, mentoring, and technical guidance.
• Design, implement, mix high-quality sound effects, ambience, and musical cues for games.
• Develop and maintain the audio style guide and technical specifications for assets.
• Collaborate with designers, programmers, and artists to integrate audio into the engine and gameplay.
• Oversee recording and implementation of voice-overs to ensure quality and consistency.
• Manage audio budget and schedule to ensure on-time asset delivery.
• Explore innovative audio technologies to push interactive sound boundaries.
• Conduct audio testing and QA to resolve sound issues.
• Stay updated with industry trends in game audio development.
• Record, edit, and process audio assets per project requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Critical listening

Problem solving

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering/Game Design or related field

Tools

Wwise

FMOD

Pro Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent game development studio in Pretoria, Gauteng , is seeking an exceptional Lead Sound Designer to spearhead the audio experience for their upcoming titles. This role is crucial in defining the sonic identity of our games, creating immersive soundscapes, and guiding a talented audio team. We are looking for an individual with a masterful understanding of sound design principles, a passion for interactive audio, and proven leadership capabilities. This hybrid position allows for a dynamic work environment, blending collaborative studio sessions in Pretoria with focused remote work. You will be instrumental in crafting unforgettable auditory experiences that enhance gameplay and player immersion.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the sound design team, providing creative direction, mentorship, and technical guidance.
• Design, implement, and mix high-quality sound effects, ambient environments, and musical cues for video games.
• Develop and maintain the audio style guide and technical specifications for all sound assets.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, programmers, and artists to integrate audio seamlessly into the game engine and gameplay mechanics.
• Oversee the recording and implementation of voice-overs, ensuring professional quality and character consistency.
• Manage the audio budget and schedule for sound design tasks, ensuring on-time delivery of assets.
• Explore and implement innovative audio technologies and techniques to push the boundaries of interactive sound.
• Conduct rigorous audio testing and quality assurance to identify and resolve any sound-related issues.
• Stay current with industry trends and best practices in game audio development.
• Record, edit, and process audio assets to meet project requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Game Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in sound design, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role within the video game industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in creating immersive soundscapes and dynamic game audio using industry-standard DAWs (e.g., Wwise, FMOD, Pro Tools).
• Strong understanding of audio middleware integration and game engine pipelines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity).
• Proven ability to lead and mentor a team of sound designers.
• Excellent critical listening skills and a keen ear for detail.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and experience with troubleshooting audio issues.
• Proficiency in audio editing, mixing, and mastering techniques.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, essential for effective collaboration in a hybrid environment.
• A portfolio showcasing outstanding work in game sound design.

Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental insurance, a provident fund, and generous annual leave. This hybrid role provides the flexibility to work from home or in our state-of-the-art Pretoria studio. You'll have the opportunity to work on cutting-edge game titles, contribute to a critically acclaimed Arts & Entertainment studio, and grow your career within a supportive and innovative team. Opportunities for professional development and attending industry conferences are also provided.