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Composer Sound Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

TrueShort

AI Music Composer & Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Working closely with the Showrunner, AI Filmmakers, Editors, and our Sound Designer, you'll help shape each series through music that feels cohesive, memorable, and production-ready. This role sits ...

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Composer Sound Designer information

See California salary details

$20.6K

$60.9K

$106.7K

How much do composer sound designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for composer sound designer in California is $60,886.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,451.00 and $68,546.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a composer sound designer do?

A Composer Sound Designer is responsible for creating original music and designing sound effects for various media, such as films, video games, and commercials. They combine composition and sound design skills to enhance storytelling and create immersive audio experiences. This role requires proficiency with digital audio workstations (DAWs), sound libraries, and synthesis techniques. Strong collaboration with directors, game developers, and audio teams is essential to ensure the sound complements the overall project vision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a composer sound designer?

To thrive as a Composer Sound Designer, you need strong musical composition skills, expertise in sound design, and a solid understanding of audio production principles, often supported by a degree in music, sound engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or Ableton Live, as well as audio editing and synthesis tools, is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with directors, producers, and development teams. These abilities ensure the creation of impactful and immersive auditory experiences that meet the needs and visions of diverse projects.

What does a typical workday look like for a composer sound designer?

A typical day for a Composer Sound Designer involves composing original music, creating and editing sound effects, and integrating audio assets into multimedia projects such as games, films, or advertisements. You may spend time collaborating with creative teams, attending project meetings to discuss audio direction, and revising your work based on feedback from clients or directors. Additionally, you will test your sound designs in context to ensure they enhance the overall user experience and make necessary adjustments for technical compatibility. The role often requires balancing creative innovation with tight production schedules, making organization and adaptability important for daily success.

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

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

What are popular job titles related to Composer Sound Designer jobs in California?

For Composer Sound Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Composer Sound Designer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Composer Sound Designer jobs in California are:

Composer Sound Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Composer Sound Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,886 per year, or $29.3 per hour.

AI Music Composer & Editor

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

TrueShort
See more jobs at TrueShortexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

About TrueShort
TrueShort is one of the fastest-growing streaming apps in the United States. An AI studio and streaming platform where we experiment, develop and release original series and films constantly. No development purgatory.
Built for mobile-first viewing, TrueShort delivers premium, bingeable storytelling across an expanding slate of genres, reimagining how modern audiences discover and experience great stories.
Our team is experimenting at the frontier of AI-powered entertainment production across animation, live action, and emerging storytelling formats.
Backed by Jeffrey Katzenberg (Founder of DreamWorks), Scott Belsky, Ravi Nandan (A24), Khosla Ventures, and others.
Role Overview
We're looking for AI Music Composers to help define the musical identity of original series and films across a wide range of genres and formats.
AI Music Composers are responsible for creating original soundtracks, themes, ambient scores, and songs that elevate storytelling and establish the emotional tone of each project. In addition to composing original music, you'll also help edit, arrange, and implement music across finished episodes-ensuring every cue supports the pacing, emotion, and storytelling of each scene.
Working closely with the Showrunner, AI Filmmakers, Editors, and our Sound Designer, you'll help shape each series through music that feels cohesive, memorable, and production-ready.
This role sits at the intersection of music composition, music editing, and AI-native creative workflows. We're looking for musicians with strong storytelling instincts, excellent musical taste, and an understanding of how to leverage AI tools to produce high-quality, original music efficiently.
Responsibilities
  • Compose original scores, themes, songs, and background music for animated and live-action productions
  • Develop unique musical identities for original series, films, and recurring characters
  • Edit, arrange, and place music within completed episodes to enhance pacing, emotion, and narrative impact
  • Select, trim, loop, and adapt existing musical cues to fit scene timing and editorial changes
  • Collaborate closely with the Showrunner, Editors, AI Filmmakers, and Sound Designer throughout development and post-production
  • Iterate quickly based on creative feedback while maintaining consistency across episodes
  • Organize and deliver production-ready stems, alternate versions, and final mixes
  • Experiment with AI music-generation workflows to rapidly prototype and refine compositions
Preferred Skills & Experience
  • Strong background in music composition, scoring, songwriting, production, music editing, or sound design
  • Experience with AI music-generation platforms (Suno, ElevenLabs Music, Udio, etc.)
  • Experience with digital audio workstations such as Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reaper, or similar
  • Experience editing music to picture and matching cues to visual storytelling
  • Ability to compose across multiple genres including orchestral, cinematic, electronic, pop, hip-hop, ambient, comedy, and hybrid scores
  • Experience editing, arranging, mixing, and mastering AI-generated music into production-ready tracks
Compensation & Details
  • Contract Role
  • Potential for long-term employment or full-time role
  • $200-$450 per episode
  • Ongoing work with the goal of producing multiple episodes per week (typically 7-10 minutes each)
  • Los Angeles preferred (open to remote)
To Apply
Please send:
  • Portfolio or relevant work samples
  • Examples of original scores, songs, soundtrack work, or music editing projects
  • Examples of projects created using AI music-generation tools
  • Optional: Links to any film, television, game, or interactive media projects you've scored or edited
  • A brief overview of your workflow, preferred creative tools, and experience with AI music generation

Apply