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Contract 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 ... Contract Role * Potential for long-term employment or full-time role * $200-$450 per episode

Open Inc.

Brand Designer (Contract)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

We blend music, sound, breath, and movement to create powerful shared experiences - both in-person ... The role: We're looking for a contract Brand Designer to support creative across marketing, product ...

Open Inc.

Brand Designer (Contract)

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

We blend music, sound, breath, and movement to create powerful shared experiences - both in-person ... The role: We're looking for a contract Brand Designer to support creative across marketing, product ...

AVANTI RESTAURANT SOLUTIONS INC

Designer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$86K - $105K/yr

... sound. * Hand dexterity and eye and hand coordination is critical. * Lifting. Exerting up to 20 ... Disclaimers This shall not be considered a contract for employment and does not alter the ...

Acara Solutions

Hardware Designer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$60.71/hr

Contract Industry: Semiconductor Compensation: $60.71/ hour About the Opportunity: We're seeking a ... Sound like a good fit? APPLY TODAY What You'll Do: * Create and maintain 3D CAD models, assemblies ...

AnySignal

PCB Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Work with fabricators and contract manufacturers to resolve DFM and production issues. Required ... We care more about demonstrated ownership and sound design judgment than checking every preferred ...

New

AnySignal

PCB Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Work with fabricators and contract manufacturers to resolve DFM and production issues. Required ... We care more about demonstrated ownership and sound design judgment than checking every preferred ...

AnySignal LLC

PCB Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

Work with fabricators and contract manufacturers to resolve DFM and production issues. Required ... We care more about demonstrated ownership and sound design judgment than checking every preferred ...

Bedrosians

Graphic Designer

Tustin, CA

Ability to make sound, independent judgments * Capacity and desire to expand knowledge of software ... This job posting does not constitute an offer of employment and is not an employment contract. To ...

Anderson Brulé Architects, Inc.

Designer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$70 - $80/hr

ABA Studios is currently seeking a Designer to join our growing firm. Selected as the Firm of the ... Active participation in the development of a set of technically sound and accurate Contract ...

New

Bedrosians Tile and Stone

Graphic Designer

Tustin, CA · On-site

$25 - $49/hr

Ability to make sound, independent judgments * Capacity and desire to expand knowledge of software ... This job posting does not constitute an offer of employment and is not an employment contract. To ...

Pivot

Sr. Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$111K/yr

Establish and manage design project budgets, project scope, and contracts, and coordinate ... sound decisions in short timeframes with appropriate action. * Mentor and train design team members.

Pivot Interiors, Inc.

Sr. Designer

Los Angeles, CA

$111K/yr

Establish and manage design project budgets, project scope, and contracts, and coordinate ... sound decisions in short timeframes with appropriate action. * Mentor and train design team members.

Pivot Interiors, Inc.

Sr. Designer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$111K/yr

Establish and manage design project budgets, project scope, and contracts, and coordinate ... sound decisions in short timeframes with appropriate action. * Mentor and train design team members.

Pivot

Sr. Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$111K/yr

Establish and manage design project budgets, project scope, and contracts, and coordinate ... sound decisions in short timeframes with appropriate action. * Mentor and train design team members.

Pivot Interiors, Inc.

Sr. Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$111K/yr

Establish and manage design project budgets, project scope, and contracts, and coordinate ... sound decisions in short timeframes with appropriate action. * Mentor and train design team members.

Pivot

Sr. Designer

San Jose, CA

$111K/yr

Establish and manage design project budgets, project scope, and contracts, and coordinate ... sound decisions in short timeframes with appropriate action. * Mentor and train design team members.

Pivot

Sr. Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$45.44 - $61.49/hr

Establish and manage design project budgets, project scope, and contracts, and coordinate ... sound decisions in short timeframes with appropriate action. * Mentor and train design team members.

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All JobsContract Sound Designer JobsContract Sound Designer Jobs in California

Contract Sound Designer information

What is a contract sound designer?

Contract sound designers are audio professionals hired on a temporary or project basis to create, edit, and mix sound effects, music, and audio elements for various media such as video games, films, television, or theater productions. Unlike full-time sound designers, they work under a contract for a specific duration or project. Their responsibilities often include collaborating with directors or producers to achieve the desired soundscape, using specialized software and equipment, and delivering high-quality audio assets within set deadlines.

What are the typical collaboration methods between a contract sound designer and game development teams?

As a Contract Sound Designer, you'll often work closely with game developers, producers, and artists to ensure audio elements align with the project's vision. Collaboration usually happens through regular meetings, shared project management tools, and feedback sessions, often conducted remotely. You'll be expected to integrate sounds into game engines, respond to iterative feedback, and adjust your work based on evolving gameplay or narrative needs. Clear communication and adaptability are essential, as you'll juggle multiple tasks while maintaining alignment with the team's creative direction.

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

To thrive as a Contract Sound Designer, you need strong audio engineering skills, a solid understanding of sound theory, and usually a portfolio showcasing previous work in various media. Familiarity with DAWs such as Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or Ableton Live, as well as experience with sound libraries and middleware like FMOD or Wwise, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication help sound designers collaborate with clients and teams to deliver high-quality audio assets. These skills ensure that the sound design enhances the overall impact of projects and meets client expectations in a competitive industry.

What is the difference between Contract Sound Designer vs Freelance Sound Editor?

AspectContract Sound DesignerFreelance Sound Editor
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in audio engineering or related field, portfolio, and industry experienceOften self-taught or with similar credentials, portfolio is key
Work EnvironmentWorks on specific projects for a set duration, often with a company or studioOperates independently, managing multiple clients and projects
Employer/Industry UsageHired by production companies, game studios, or advertising agenciesServes a variety of clients across media including film, games, and commercials

Contract Sound Designers and Freelance Sound Editors both create audio content, but Contract Sound Designers typically work on a fixed-term basis for specific projects within a company, while Freelance Sound Editors operate independently, managing multiple clients. The choice depends on your preferred work environment and career goals.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contract Sound Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Sound Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

AI Music Composer & Editor

TrueShort

Los Angeles, CA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 21 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