Senior Music Composer - Video Game Soundtracks

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health and wellness benefits

Generous paid time off

Professional development

Access to recording studio

Collaborative work environment

Retirement savings plan

Creative workshops

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a highly creative Senior Music Composer to define the auditory soul of our games. You will compose, arrange, and produce original scores across genres, collaborating with directors and audio leads to align music with narrative and mood.

The ideal candidate has 6+ years of game music experience, proficiency in DAWs (Cubase, Logic Pro, Pro Tools), and hands-on with Wwise or FMOD. A BA in Music Composition or related field is preferred; portfolio mandatory.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a composer with video game scores.
• Expertise across multiple genres and interactive music.
• Strong knowledge of DAWs and game audio middleware.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Compose, arrange, and produce original music for video games across genres.
• Collaborate with directors, audio leads, and designers to align vision.
• Develop thematic material and leitmotifs.
• Implement adaptive and interactive music systems using middleware (Wwise, FMOD).
• Record, edit, and mix musical elements.
• Manage music production schedules and deliverables for the Pretoria studio.
• Source and manage session musicians and contractors.
• Stay current with trends in game music composition.
• Provide musical direction to junior composers or interns.
• Maintain high creativity and technical proficiency.

Skills

Game music composition

Orchestration

Music theory

DAW proficiency

Interactive music

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music Composition

Portfolio of game scores

Tools

Cubase

Logic Pro

Pro Tools

Wwise

FMOD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a renowned independent game studio celebrated for its evocative soundtracks and unique artistic vision, is seeking a highly creative and experienced Senior Music Composer to join their team in Pretoria. This role is crucial in defining the auditory soul of our games, crafting memorable and impactful musical scores that enhance player immersion and emotional engagement. You will be responsible for composing, arranging, and producing original music across various genres, collaborating closely with the game development team to align the score with the narrative, gameplay, and overall mood of the projects. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional compositional skills, a deep understanding of game audio implementation, and a passion for interactive music. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to award-winning titles and shape the sonic identity of exciting new games in the vibrant city of Pretoria. We foster an environment where artistic expression and technical execution converge to create unforgettable gaming experiences. Join us and compose the score for the next generation of gaming.

Key Responsibilities

• Compose, arrange, and produce original music for video games, spanning multiple genres and moods.
• Collaborate with game directors, audio leads, and narrative designers to understand the musical vision for each project.
• Develop thematic material and leitmotifs that are integral to the game's narrative and characters.
• Implement adaptive and interactive music systems using industry-standard audio middleware (e.g., Wwise, FMOD).
• Record, edit, and mix musical elements, ensuring high-quality audio output.
• Manage music production schedules and deliverables, ensuring timely completion of all musical assets for the Pretoria studio.
• Source and manage session musicians and contractors as needed for recording sessions.
• Stay current with trends in video game music composition and interactive audio technology.
• Provide musical direction and guidance to junior composers or interns.
• Maintain a high level of creativity and technical proficiency in music production.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a composer, with a significant portfolio of composed music for video games.
• Demonstrated expertise in composing in various musical styles and genres.
• Proficiency in at least one major Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as Cubase, Logic Pro, or Pro Tools.
• Strong understanding of music theory, harmony, orchestration, and arrangement.
• Experience with adaptive music techniques and game audio middleware (Wwise/FMOD).
• Excellent audio engineering and mixing skills.
• Ability to interpret game design documents and provide musical solutions.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, crucial for managing multiple projects in Pretoria.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Music Composition, Audio Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A portfolio showcasing a diverse range of high-quality game scores is mandatory.

Benefits

• Competitive salary reflective of experience and talent.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits package.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement.
• Access to a professional recording studio and cutting-edge equipment in Pretoria.
• A collaborative and inspiring work environment with a talented team.
• Contribution to visually stunning and musically rich game titles.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Regular creative workshops and networking opportunities.