Lead Sound Designer - Immersive Experiences

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Sound Designer in Midrand, Gauteng to shape the auditory experience of cutting-edge games and immersive media. You will lead a team, set sound direction, and collaborate with directors and engineers to elevate gameplay and storytelling.

The role requires strong leadership, 7+ years in sound design, and expertise with major DAWs and middleware. A portfolio of interactive audio work is essential, with opportunities for growth and advanced audio tech access.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of professional sound design experience with 2+ years in a lead role.
• Proficiency with Pro Tools, Reaper, or Cubase.
• Strong knowledge of acoustics, signal processing, and mixing for stereo/surround.
• Experience with Unreal Engine or Unity sound pipelines.
• Portfolio showcasing interactive sound design in games/immersive media.

Responsibilities

• Lead the sound design team with creative direction and technical guidance.
• Develop innovative sound strategies for games, VR, and interactive installations.
• Oversee creation, integration, and implementation of all sound assets.
• Collaborate with directors, designers, and engineers to enhance gameplay and narrative.
• Manage audio budgets, timelines and resources.
• Mentor junior sound designers and foster growth.
• Conduct QA and playback to ensure high fidelity audio.
• Stay updated on audio tech, middleware, and trends.
• Troubleshoot audio issues during development and post-launch.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentorship

Audio design

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering or related field

Tools

Pro Tools

Reaper

Cubase

Wwise

FMOD

Unreal Engine

Unity

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a pioneer in interactive entertainment and digital storytelling, is seeking a highly skilled and visionary Lead Sound Designer to join their dynamic team in Midrand, Gauteng. This role is instrumental in shaping the auditory landscape of our groundbreaking projects, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in sound for immersive experiences. You will be at the forefront of innovation, working with cutting-edge technology and collaborating with a talented pool of artists, developers, and designers. The ideal candidate possesses a deep passion for audio, a proven track record in leadership, and an unwavering commitment to sonic excellence. This is a unique opportunity to leave your mark on projects that captivate audiences worldwide, within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. We are committed to fostering a culture of creativity and continuous improvement, ensuring that our work remains at the pinnacle of the industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the sound design team, providing creative direction and technical guidance for all audio aspects of projects.
• Develop and implement innovative sound strategies for games, virtual reality experiences, and interactive installations.
• Oversee the creation, integration, and implementation of all sound effects, foley, music, and voiceovers.
• Collaborate closely with game directors, level designers, and engineers to ensure audio enhances gameplay and narrative.
• Manage audio budgets, timelines, and resource allocation for sound design tasks.
• Mentor and guide junior sound designers, fostering their professional growth and skill development.
• Conduct regular quality assurance and playback sessions to ensure the highest standards of audio fidelity and impact.
• Stay abreast of the latest audio technologies, middleware, and industry trends.
• Troubleshoot and resolve any audio-related technical issues during development and post-launch.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in sound design, with at least 2 years in a lead or supervisory role within the Arts & Entertainment sector.
• Extensive experience with industry-standard Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools, Reaper, or Cubase.
• Proficiency in game audio middleware like Wwise or FMOD is essential.
• Strong understanding of acoustics, audio signal processing, and mixing techniques for stereo and surround sound.
• Experience with sound implementation pipelines in game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• A portfolio showcasing exceptional sound design work across multiple projects, preferably in interactive media.
• Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Music Technology, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and lead a team towards a unified creative vision.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package, commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous paid time off and holiday schedule.
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning.
• Access to state-of-the-art audio equipment and facilities.
• A vibrant and collaborative work environment with passionate professionals.
• Potential for performance-based bonuses and profit sharing.
• Relocation assistance may be available for highly qualified candidates relocating to Midrand, Gauteng.