Lead Sound Designer - Immersive Audio Experiences

Placements24; Klerksdorp; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work from anywhere

Professional development allowances

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Lead Sound Designer to shape immersive audio for cutting-edge projects. This fully remote role requires steering a team of sound designers and collaborating with game designers, narrative teams, and composers to create reactive, high-quality audio.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years in sound design with at least 3 years in a leadership position, strong DAW and middleware experience, and a robust portfolio. Remote work is supported from anywhere globally.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of professional experience in sound design.
• At least 3 years in a lead or senior role in games or interactive media.
• Portfolio showcasing high-quality sound design work.
• Proficiency with DAWs: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase.
• Experience with audio middleware (Wwise, FMOD) and game engines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and execution of sound design elements for games.
• Develop and implement audio systems and tools for immersion.
• Direct and mentor a team of sound designers.
• Collaborate with game designers, narrative teams, and composers.
• Design dynamic audio that reacts to player actions and events.
• Manage audio asset creation, implementation, and optimization in engines.

Skills

Lead team management

Immersive audio design

Real-time audio processing

Psychoacoustics

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering or related field

Tools

Pro Tools

Logic Pro

Cubase

Wwise

FMOD

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and experienced Lead Sound Designer to spearhead the creation of immersive audio experiences for their cutting-edge projects. This is a fully remote opportunity, allowing you to contribute your expertise from anywhere. You will be responsible for defining the sonic landscape of our interactive content, from conceptualization through to final implementation, ensuring that every sound contributes to a deeply engaging and believable player experience. The ideal candidate possesses an exceptional ear for detail, a mastery of audio design principles, and a proven ability to craft rich, dynamic soundscapes using advanced audio technologies. You will lead a talented team of sound designers, collaborate with cross‑functional departments, and push the boundaries of what's possible in interactive audio. This role offers the chance to leave your sonic signature on highly anticipated titles and redefine auditory immersion in digital entertainment from the comfort of your home.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the conceptualization and execution of all sound design elements, including sound effects, ambient environments, and UI sounds.
• Develop and implement innovative audio systems and tools to achieve a high level of immersion and realism.
• Direct and mentor a team of sound designers, providing creative guidance and technical support.
• Collaborate with game designers, narrative teams, and composers to ensure audio is tightly integrated with gameplay and story.
• Design and implement dynamic audio experiences that react to player actions and game events.
• Manage audio asset creation, implementation, and optimization within game engines and audio middleware.
• Conduct quality assurance testing for audio, identifying and resolving bugs and inconsistencies.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in audio technology, virtual reality (VR) audio, and spatial audio techniques.
• Manage audio budgets and vendor relationships as required.
• Present audio direction and progress to key stakeholders.

Requirements

• 8+ years of professional experience in sound design, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role, specifically for games or interactive media.
• Demonstrated expertise in creating high-quality sound effects, foley, and environmental audio.
• Proficiency with industry-standard Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or Cubase.
• Experience with audio middleware (e.g., Wwise, FMOD) and game engine audio systems is essential.
• Strong understanding of psychoacoustics, spatial audio principles (e.g., Dolby Atmos, ambisonics), and real-time audio processing.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, particularly in managing remote teams.
• Ability to create compelling soundscapes that enhance narrative and gameplay.
• A robust portfolio showcasing diverse and impactful sound design work is required.
• Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Music Technology, Sound Design, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Self‑motivated, organized, and capable of working independently in a remote environment.

Benefits

This remote position offers a competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits package, retirement savings contributions, and ample paid time off.

We support your professional growth with allowances for training, conferences, and personal equipment.

Our client provides a collaborative and innovative virtual environment where creativity thrives.

You’ll have the opportunity to work on exciting, high‑profile projects that push the boundaries of immersive audio.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture within our remote workforce, ensuring all team members are valued and have the resources needed to succeed.

Access to the latest audio technologies and software is standard.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to shape the future of sound in interactive entertainment.