Lead Audio Engineer - Gaming

Our client, an award-winning video game development studio, is seeking a highly creative and technically skilled Lead Audio Engineer to join their innovative team in Chicago, Illinois . This role is essential for crafting immersive and memorable auditory experiences for their upcoming flagship title. You will be responsible for the overall direction of the game's sound design, audio implementation, music integration, and managing a team of audio professionals. The ideal candidate possesses a deep passion for gaming, a masterful understanding of audio technology, and a proven ability to lead creative projects from concept to completion.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the audio department, setting the vision and technical direction for all sound design and implementation within the game.
• Oversee the creation, implementation, and mixing of all in-game audio assets, including sound effects, dialogue, ambient sounds, and music.
• Collaborate closely with game designers, programmers, and artists to ensure audio enhances gameplay and narrative.
• Manage the audio middleware integration (e.g., Wwise, FMOD), ensuring efficient and effective audio implementation.
• Direct voice recording sessions and manage dialogue editing and integration.
• Work with composers to integrate and mix the game's musical score.
• Develop and maintain audio systems, tools, and pipelines to optimize workflow and quality.
• Mentor and guide junior audio engineers and sound designers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex audio-related technical issues during development.
• Ensure audio meets performance targets and technical specifications for various platforms.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in audio technology, game development tools, and industry best practices.
• Contribute to the overall quality and polish of the game through exceptional audio design.
• Manage the audio budget and schedule for the department.
• Provide critical feedback and direction on audio assets created by external vendors.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Music Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in game audio development, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior role.
• Proven experience designing, implementing, and mixing audio for AAA game titles.
• Expertise in industry-standard Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools, Cubase, or Reaper.
• Proficiency with audio middleware like Wwise or FMOD is essential.
• Strong understanding of audio engines (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity) and scripting languages.
• Excellent knowledge of acoustics, sound synthesis, signal processing, and psychoacoustics.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts clearly.
• A portfolio showcasing exceptional game audio work is required.
• Passion for video games and a deep understanding of interactive audio.

This hybrid role requires onsite presence at our Chicago, Illinois studio for critical team collaboration and development sprints, with flexibility for remote work. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits, and the chance to shape the sonic landscape of groundbreaking games.