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Contract Sound Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Designer

Los Angeles, 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.

Sr. Designer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$90 - $120/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.

Sr. Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$70 - $110/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.

Expertise in contract furniture, including order preparation, project management, and seamless ... Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment in business transactions. * A passion ...

Designer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$80K - $122K/yr

Expertise in contract furniture, including order preparation, project management, and seamless ... Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment in business transactions. * A passion ...

Expertise in contract furniture, including order preparation, project management, and seamless ... Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment in business transactions. * A passion ...

Contracts Manager, eero

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$104K - $140K/yr

In this role, you will combine commercial contract management, international expansion, legal ... so. - Designing new processes and simplifications for eero's customer-facing disclosures such as ...

Oversee all phases of the project lifecycle, from contract negotiation and budgeting to planning ... sound decision-making, and strong collaboration. Requirements: * 12+ years of experience in ...

Showing results 21-40

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 cities in California are hiring for Contract Sound Designer jobs?

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

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.

Sr. Designer

Pivot

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$45.44 - $61.49/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


Job description

PIVOT INTERIORS
Our organization includes a strategic team of big thinkers and creatives who truly work interdependently. Whether planning our Customer Experience program, developing multi-pronged marketing strategies, or designing projects for our innovative clients, we are constantly finding ways to underscore our promise to partner with our clients to make inspiring spaces that unlock their people's greatest potential. The pace is fast, the learning is constant...but as part of a team this driven, the possibilities are endless.
Your Role at PivotAs a Senior Designer, you will be responsible for applying Pivot's creative expertise and design services to support new and existing clients. You will work alongside a team of dynamic, creative workplace designers, practicing high standards for design, providing a high level of customer satisfaction, and serving as a collaborative member of a dynamic project team including sales, project management, and procurement support. In addition to leading project design, you will partner closely with sales executives to support new business development efforts - participating in pitch strategies, co-creating presentation materials, and joining client meetings to help win new opportunities. You will engage customers and industry influencers in forward-thinking discussions and workshops to solve strategic challenges within their organizations and use your creativity, skills, and expertise to influence, persuade and shape others' perceptions and beliefs about design and how physical space can improve people's lives.
In Addition, You Will
  • Assume responsibility for the overall completion of projects of all complexities including programming, strategic planning, conceptual designs, space planning, presentations, design development, and production; delegate and oversee fulfillment of design deliverables as required.
  • Drive project solutions and customer experience to new levels both in terms of engagement and business development, but also in terms of innovative, tailored solutions.
  • Partner with sales executives in early-stage client engagement efforts by providing creative direction, design input for proposals and RFP responses, and representing design strategy in sales presentations and discovery meetings.
  • Incorporate and execute creative design strategies.
  • Establish and manage design project budgets, project scope, and contracts, and coordinate deliverables with internal and outsourced design resources.
  • Navigate customer and industry partner interactions with ease, clearly articulating design ideas and rationale for decisions and outcomes.
  • Proactively identify project risks, offering creative solutions and alternatives; work independently to execute next steps, and evaluates results.
  • Participate in ongoing learning around strategic areas of focus, including partner products and solutions, sustainable design, design tools and technology, and workplace strategy.
  • Proactively champion designs operational excellence by implementing established design processes and documentation standards; manage and record billable hours, cultivate efficiencies, and reduce errors.
  • Demonstrate excellent time management skills and flexibility; effectively and confidently address competing priorities and urgent situations, making sound decisions in short timeframes with appropriate action.
  • Mentor and train design team members.
  • Perform other duties or special projects as assigned.
  • Demonstrate our Pivot values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork, Initiative, Curiosity, and Accountability in all aspects of work.

We're Excited About You If You Have
  • 5+ years of professional experience and a bachelor's degree in architecture or interior Design from an accredited 4-year university; or equivalent combination of education and industry experience including a proven track record of leading projects.
  • Must be a certified Interior Designer or working toward certification, or equivalent.
  • Active membership in a professional organization.
  • Experience creating and developing overall design concepts and formulating design presentation strategies with an understanding of design history and trends.
  • High proficiency in navigating and curating solutions from an expansive product portfolio, including furniture systems, ancillary, accessories, and bespoke.
  • Proficiency in building systems, building codes, electrical, and cabling.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Outstanding graphic presentation skills.
  • Strong mentoring skills and ability to lead, train, and direct the work of others.
  • Proven track record of success in maintaining and growing client relationships, and a sense of business acumen to advise and guide clients as required.
  • Strong, persuasive communicator with excellent verbal presentation skills and the ability to communicate complex design concepts to clients.
  • Highly proficient and demonstrated ability to use 2D/3D software, CET Designer, AutoCAD, Sketch Up, and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, In Design, and Illustrator). Revit is a plus.
  • Knowledge of the total project process including fee and project team management, schedules, and budgets.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but the position may require supervision of junior design staff members and contractors as project requirements dictate.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, IMMUNIZATION RECORDS
None.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to respond to complex inquiries or complaints from customers or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management in client organizations, public groups and other outside entities.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical environment is consistent with most professional service organizations. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
*Equal Opportunity Employer-minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.