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Associate Sound Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Associate or bachelor's degree in business preferred. Physical Demands * Hearing. Perceiving the ... sound. * Hand dexterity and eye and hand coordination is critical. * Lifting. Exerting up to 20 ...

Collaborate with Associate Creative Directors, Sr. Art Directors, Designers and Copywriters to ... Incorporate sound design and pacing to enhance visual impact. * Ensure deliverables meet brand ...

Collaborate with Associate Creative Directors, Sr. Art Directors, Designers and Copywriters to ... Incorporate sound design and pacing to enhance visual impact. * Ensure deliverables meet brand ...

Digital Designer

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$75K - $82K/yr

... sound visual design solutions. A day in the life, what you'll be doing: Development * Concept ... Generous associate discount of 30 - 50% off merchandise online and in-stores * On-site Cafe * On ...

Collaborate with Associate Creative Directors, Sr. Art Directors, Designers and Copywriters to ... Incorporate sound design and pacing to enhance visual impact. * Ensure deliverables meet brand ...

Collaborate with Associate Creative Directors, Sr. Art Directors, Designers and Copywriters to ... Incorporate sound design and pacing to enhance visual impact. * Ensure deliverables meet brand ...

High school diploma or GED required; associate's or bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Drafting ... sound judgment while maintaining quality and project deadlines. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES ...

High school diploma or GED required; associate's or bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Drafting ... sound judgment while maintaining quality and project deadlines. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES ...

... sound, production-ready pieces while preserving design integrity. The Technical Designer manages ... Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Technical Design, Apparel Development, or ...

Graphic Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

You'll work closely with the Associate Creative Director and broader team to ensure every asset we ... strategically sound design solutions. * Uphold and evolve the Centr visual identity, ensuring ...

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Associate Sound Designer information

What is an associate sound designer?

Associate Sound Designers are audio professionals who assist lead sound designers in creating and implementing the audio elements of a production, such as video games, films, or theater shows. Their responsibilities include recording, editing, and mixing sound effects, dialogue, and music, as well as helping with technical setup and troubleshooting. They often collaborate with other members of the audio and production teams to ensure the final product meets creative and technical standards. This role is typically considered an entry-level or early-career position in the sound design field, offering opportunities for skill development and advancement.

What are the main collaboration points between an associate sound designer and other departments during a game development project?

As an Associate Sound Designer, you'll frequently collaborate with game designers, programmers, and artists to ensure audio seamlessly integrates with gameplay and visuals. You'll attend meetings to review project updates, share audio concepts, and gather feedback to refine sound assets. Close communication with the programming team is essential for implementing audio triggers and resolving technical issues, while regular syncs with the art team help maintain a consistent atmosphere and style. Being proactive in cross-departmental communication not only enhances the game's audio experience but also builds strong professional relationships within the studio.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate sound designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Sound Designer, you need a solid understanding of audio production, sound editing, and acoustics, often supported by a degree in audio engineering or a related field. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools or Ableton Live, as well as sound libraries and audio middleware such as FMOD or Wwise, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong collaboration skills help you deliver immersive soundscapes and work effectively with creative teams. These skills ensure high-quality audio production that enhances the overall experience of media projects.

What is the difference between Associate Sound Designer vs Sound Designer?

AspectAssociate Sound DesignerSound Designer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in audio production, sound design, or related fieldSame as Associate, often with additional experience or portfolio
Work EnvironmentAssist in sound creation, editing, and implementation under supervisionLead sound creation, design, and implementation independently or with a team
Industry UsageUsed in film, TV, video games, and theater as entry to mid-level rolesSenior or lead roles in similar industries

The main difference between an Associate Sound Designer and a Sound Designer lies in experience and responsibility. An Associate Sound Designer typically supports and assists in sound projects, gaining experience, while a Sound Designer takes on more independent, creative, and leadership roles in sound design projects.

How much do sound designers get paid?

Sound designers typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals working on major projects or in high-demand markets can earn higher salaries. Skills in audio editing software and a strong portfolio can influence earning potential.

How much is an Associate Sound Designer paid?

An Associate Sound Designer typically earns between $40,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the industry sector. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced professionals or those working on high-profile projects can earn more. Compensation often includes benefits such as health insurance and opportunities for skill development with audio editing tools like Pro Tools or Logic Pro.

Is sound design in demand?

Sound design is in demand across industries such as film, television, video games, and virtual reality, with growth driven by increasing multimedia content production. Skilled sound designers who are proficient with digital audio workstations and sound editing tools are sought after, especially those with experience in immersive audio and post-production environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Sound Designer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Sound Designer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Associate Sound Designer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Associate Sound Designer job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Sound Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

DreamWorks TV - Assistant Editor

NBCUniversal

Glendale, CA

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago


NBCUniversal rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 133 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 78 rated media


Job description

Company Description

DreamWorks Animation is looking for more adventurous dreamers who shoot for the moon. We tell stories about the journeys our unconventional heroes take to make dreams come true. As a growth-minded studio, we pride ourselves on being one of the world's leading producers of high-quality, award-winning, animated films and series, reaching consumers around the globe. We push to feel more, laugh more, and build immersive new worlds.

DreamWorks creates a diverse array of original content in a variety of formats, delivering compelling stories with unique characters. We place tremendous value on the experiences our talent brings to the table from their own non-traditional paths to success. We believe in frequent communication and that transparency and trust yield the best work. We are a community of artists, technologists, innovators, and creators, who are passionate about animation and also happen to love eating lunch together. 

DreamWorks Animation has an exciting new opportunity for an Assistant Editor to join its team based in Glendale, CA. The Assistant Editor will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the Edit suite in support of the Lead Editor. This position is covered by the Motion Picture Editors Guild.

If you are part of the fandom and believe teamwork makes the dream work, join us in #livingthedream and #doingyourdreamwork!

Job Description

Responsibilities: "What would you say you do here?"

  • Supports Lead Editor and Associate Editor(s) across daily production and editorial needs.

  • Is responsible for the accurate presentation of all materials related to the film (eg: story reels, screeners, previews, DCPs, etc.).

  • Leads, participates in, and/or prepares for scratch, production, and ADR dialogue recording sessions.

  • Imports, organizes and breaks down dialogue recordings in preparation for use by Lead Editor.

  • Supervises and mentors other assistant editors on the project.

  • Help curate SFX and temp music for lead editor.

  • Cuts and/or supervises the cutting of temp SFX and Music for the story reel.

  • Responsible for creation of all media outputs from Editorial.

  • Imports and organizes new media deliveries from Production.

  • Responsible for publishing all cut lists and change notes to Production.

  • Is the primary point of contact with Technical Directors in production.

  • Supervises quality standards of all work done at audio houses and other post houses.

  • Spots final film with Sound Designer and Composer.

  • Acts as a creative liaison between Directors/Production, sound designer, and mixers.

  • Attends all screenings (studio and preview) and works with Directors and Lead Editor to incorporate changes resulting from those screenings.

  • Attends production meetings as needed.

  • Delivers an approved cut of the film in the required format to the sound and music departments on the handover date.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: "What do I need to have in order to do this job?"

  • Intimate knowledge of AVID Media Composer.

  • Some experience with Premiere Pro and Resolve.

  • Understanding of professional video/audio standards, codecs and movement of content between various post production applications.

  • Has acquired enough union hours to be on the Industry Experience Roster.

Desired Qualifications: "What can I offer?"

  • Proficiency with Photoshop and Adobe After Effects is a plus.

  • Familiarity with FLIX.

  • Familiarity with Autodesk Shotgrid.

  • Animation editing experience is preferred.

  • Familiarity with Pro Tools for temp/scratch recording is preferred.

  • Familiarity with both Linux/Unix and Windows operating systems is preferred.

Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of four days per week.
Salary Range:  $111,072 - $135,000

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].


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