Audio Sound Designer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Audio Consultant

Job Description

Salas O'Brien is a nationally recognized employee-owned engineering and consulting firm dedicated to creating innovative, sustainable, and high-performing environments. As we continue to expand our Technology Consulting practice, we are seeking an experienced Audio Consultant to join our growing team.

The Audio Consultant is responsible for the planning, design, and implementation support of professional audio and audiovisual systems across a diverse range of projects, including performing arts venues, sports facilities, houses of worship, corporate campuses, higher education facilities, museums, entertainment venues, and mixed-use developments.

This role combines consulting, engineering, and real-world audio experience. The ideal candidate understands both the technical requirements of building systems and the operational demands of live and performance audio environments. They can design a distributed paging system for a corporate campus, develop a high-performance sound reinforcement system for a theater, and confidently discuss loudspeaker deployment, signal flow, networking, and mixing workflows with technical operators and end users.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with clients, architects, engineers, venue operators, and design teams to develop audio solutions that deliver exceptional speech intelligibility, musical performance, operational flexibility, and long-term reliability.

The ideal candidate is passionate about sound, understands the science behind acoustic and electroacoustic system performance, and has practical experience with professional audio technologies used in live events, performing arts, and installed sound environments.

Job Duties

• Design professional audio and audiovisual systems for new construction and renovation projects.
• Meet with clients, end users, and stakeholders to understand operational requirements and performance objectives.
• Develop system concepts, narratives, specifications, drawings, and construction documentation.
• Design and specify:
• Performance Audio Systems
• Distributed Audio Systems
• Paging and Mass Notification Systems
• Audiovisual Systems
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Systems
• Audio-over-IP Systems
• Recording and Broadcast Audio Systems
• Develop loudspeaker coverage designs and evaluate system performance using modeling and prediction software.
• Prepare project budgets and assist clients with system planning and technology roadmaps.
• Coordinate infrastructure requirements with architectural, electrical, telecommunications, and structural design teams.
• Participate in construction administration activities, including RFIs, submittal reviews, site observations, issue resolution, commissioning, and project closeout.
• Assist with system testing, tuning, and validation to verify design performance criteria.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining quality and schedule commitments.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent professional experience in audio system design and consulting.
• 4 to 8 years of experience in professional audio, audiovisual consulting, system integration, venue operations, or a related field.
• Experience designing, operating, installing, or commissioning professional audio systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• Loudspeaker Systems
• Mixing Consoles
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
• Audio Networking Technologies (Dante, AVB, AES67, etc.)
• Microphone Systems
• Wireless Audio Systems
• Performance Audio Infrastructure
• Audiovisual Systems
• Understanding of signal flow, gain structure, system optimization, and audio system commissioning.
• Proficiency with Revit and AutoCAD.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with attention to detail.
• Professional and client-facing demeanor.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary design teams.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering, Acoustics, Electrical Engineering, Music Technology, or a related discipline.
• AVIXA CTS, CTS-D, or CTS-I certification.
• Experience with audio modeling software including both EASE and manufacturer specific programs
• Experience commissioning and tuning installed sound systems.
• Experience supporting live events, theaters, houses of worship, sports venues, or entertainment facilities.
• Familiarity with acoustical concepts and room performance metrics.
• Passion for emerging audio technologies and ongoing professional development.

Location

Location: Boulder, CO; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Southern California.  Fully remote available based on qualifications.

Work Model: Hybrid.

 Travel: As needed for project work (up to 10%)

Compensation & Benefits

The expected base salary range for this role is $85,000 - $105,000 USD per year depending on experience. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.

This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.