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Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer Jobs in California

$71K - $80K/yr

We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film ... Required On-Site: This position is required to be performed full-time from an NBCUniversal ...

New

Audio Visual Tech II

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

You will work closely with Engineering and Technical Project managers to maintain standards, stay ... The roles are full-time and require travel around the Bay Area.

We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film ... Feature Mastering QC for A Title and Acquisition masters * Digital Restoration Services QC (pre ...

Showing results 21-40

Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer information

How much does a full time audio mastering engineer make?

A full-time audio mastering engineer typically earns between $40,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior engineers or those working in high-demand markets can earn higher salaries, and many also supplement income through freelance work or royalties.

Is there a demand for full time audio mastering engineers?

Full-time audio mastering engineers are in steady demand within the music, film, and media industries, especially as streaming and digital content grow. Opportunities often require proficiency with industry-standard tools like Pro Tools or iZotope Ozone and may involve working in professional studios or remote settings. The demand can vary based on industry trends and regional market size.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a full time audio mastering engineer?

To thrive as a Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer, you need a strong understanding of audio theory, critical listening skills, and experience with music production, typically supported by formal training or a degree in audio engineering. Mastery of digital audio workstations (DAWs) such as Pro Tools or Logic Pro, along with specialized mastering software and hardware, is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication with clients set outstanding engineers apart. These skills and qualities ensure the delivery of high-quality, commercially viable audio that meets both technical standards and artists’ creative visions.

What does a full time audio mastering engineer do?

A Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer is responsible for the final step in the audio production process, ensuring that recorded music or audio sounds polished and consistent across all playback systems. They use specialized equipment and software to adjust levels, enhance sound quality, and prepare tracks for distribution on various media formats. Mastering engineers work closely with artists, producers, and mixing engineers to achieve the desired sonic outcome and maintain industry standards.

What are some common challenges audio mastering engineers face when working with diverse music genres?

Audio Mastering Engineers often encounter the challenge of adapting their technical skills and artistic judgment to suit a wide variety of musical genres. Each genre, from classical to hip-hop or electronic, has its own sonic characteristics and industry standards, requiring engineers to be flexible and knowledgeable about different mastering techniques. Balancing the artist’s vision with commercial loudness and clarity expectations can be complex, especially when working with clients remotely or with limited time. Effective communication with producers and mix engineers is essential to ensure the final product meets both creative and technical quality benchmarks.

What is the difference between Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer vs Full Time Audio Mixing Engineer?

AspectFull Time Audio Mastering EngineerFull Time Audio Mixing Engineer
CredentialsAudio engineering certifications, mastering-specific trainingAudio engineering certifications, mixing-specific training
Work EnvironmentPost-production studios, mastering facilitiesRecording studios, post-production facilities
Industry UsageMusic, post-production, mastering housesMusic, film, TV, post-production

While both roles require audio engineering skills, a Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer focuses on finalizing tracks for distribution, ensuring consistency and quality across formats. A Full Time Audio Mixing Engineer, on the other hand, works on combining individual tracks into a cohesive stereo or surround sound mix during the production process.

What are the most commonly searched types of Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in California? For Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Full Time Audio Mastering Engineer job openings:

Perceptual Audio Engineer (Research)

Harman International Industries

Northridge, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

A Career at HARMAN
As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move, HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation, inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together, you'll discover that at HARMAN you can grow, make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.
Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Corporate
We're a global, multi-disciplinary team that's putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Corporate, you are integral to our company's award-winning success.
  • Enrich your managerial and organizational talents - from finance, quality, and supply chain to human resources, IT, sales, and strategy
  • Augment your comprehensive skillset with expert training across decision-making, change management, leadership, and business development
  • Obtain 360-degree support throughout your career life cycle, from early-stage to seasoned leader

About the Role
The Perceptual Audio Engineer (Research) develops the metrics, methods, and evaluation frameworks that connect algorithms to what users actually perceive. You will design listening tests, create perceptual datasets, develop objective and ML-based metrics, and establish quality gates so products can ship without perceptual regressions. Success means that we understand how create a desired perceptual goal in varying environments and just make it work for every customer.
What You Will Do
  • Metrics & Methods Development: Create perceptual metrics and evaluation methodologies that correlate with human preference and quality judgments (timbre, artifacts, clarity, spatial realism, comfort/fatigue).
  • User Testing & Listening Studies: Design and execute subjective evaluations (ABX, preference tests, rating studies), including stimulus generation, panel guidance, statistical analysis, and repeatability.
  • AI/ML-Enabled Evaluation: Where beneficial, develop ML-based quality prediction or artifact detection that supports rapid iteration (embedded-viable where relevant; cloud-viable for batch evaluation).
  • Perception-to-Product Gatekeeping: Define acceptance criteria and regression tests so OneUX productization can enforce "no perceptual regressions" in CI-style workflows.
  • Data & Experiment Discipline: Build and maintain clean datasets, labeling strategies, metadata, and experiment tracking so results are trustworthy and reusable.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with DSP, acoustics, ML, and system testing roles to ensure metrics reflect real user value and cover edge cases.
  • AI Tools: Use AI tools to accelerate analysis and reporting while maintaining rigorous validation and traceability.

What You Need to Be Successful
  • Education: MS or PhD in EE/CS/Acoustics/Psychoacoustics/Statistics (or equivalent experience).
  • Experience: 5+ years in perceptual audio, audio quality evaluation, or related applied research/engineering.
  • Perception + Statistics: Strong understanding of psychoacoustics and statistical analysis for human-subject experiments. Experience in using and developing perceptual models.
  • Programming: Python and/or MATLAB for analysis and tooling; familiarity working with ML frameworks and basic DSP concepts.
  • AI Tools: Experience using AI-assisted tools for data analysis, scripting, and documentation in a reproducible workflow.

Bonus Points if You Have
  • Experience with perceptual evaluation for spatial audio, headphone tuning, or automotive cabin audio.
  • Experience creating objective metrics that become organizational standards and materially change decision-making speed/quality.
  • Familiarity with embedded deployment constraints for ML-based metrics.
  • Patents/publications in perceptual audio or audio quality evaluation.

What Makes You Eligible
  • Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment (post-offer).

What We Offer
  • Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
  • Access to employee discounts on world-class products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more)
  • Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
  • Competitive wellness benefits
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • "Be Brilliant" employee recognition and rewards program

An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development
#LI-DPWHITE1
#LI-hybrid
Salary Ranges:
$ 134,250 - $ 196,900
HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.