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Mastering Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Astera

Senior Software Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$100K - $400K/yr

You have a track record of diving into complex domains and mastering them quickly. * Mastery of Hard Problems: You have a track record of tackling difficult engineering challenges, whether it is ...

Astera

Principal Software Engineer

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$300K - $600K/yr

You have a track record of diving into complex domains, mastering them quickly, and guiding others ... You have a track record of leading the resolution of difficult engineering challenges, whether it ...

HeyGen

Research Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

Collaborative Engineering and Growth: Engage with a diverse team where collaborative efforts lead ... Experience with deep learning frameworks such as PyTorch, and a capacity for quickly mastering new ...

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All JobsMastering Engineer JobsMastering Engineer Jobs in California

Mastering Engineer information

See California salary details

$38.5K

$100.4K

$135.7K

How much do mastering engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for mastering engineer in California is $100,420.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,900.00 and $115,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mastering engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mastering Engineer, you need a deep understanding of audio engineering, acoustics, signal processing, and typically a degree or certificate in audio production or a related field. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools, specialized mastering software, and high-end audio equipment is essential. Attention to detail, critical listening, and strong communication skills set outstanding mastering engineers apart. These skills ensure the delivery of high-quality, commercially viable audio that meets industry standards and client expectations.

What is a mastering engineer?

Mastering engineers are audio professionals who prepare and finalize music or audio recordings for distribution. They use specialized equipment and software to balance frequencies, adjust dynamics, and ensure consistency across tracks, making sure the final product sounds polished on all playback systems. Mastering engineers also sequence tracks, embed metadata, and create various formats required for streaming, CDs, or vinyl. Their expertise is crucial in giving recordings a professional, cohesive sound that meets industry standards.

How much does a mastering engineer make?

Mastering engineers typically earn between $30,000 and $100,000 annually, with experienced professionals and those working in high-demand markets earning higher salaries. Compensation varies based on experience, reputation, location, and the complexity of projects handled.

What are some common challenges mastering engineers face when working with a variety of musical genres?

Mastering Engineers often encounter the challenge of adapting their technical approach and artistic judgement to suit diverse musical genres, each with its own sonic characteristics and listener expectations. For example, mastering a jazz record requires preserving dynamic range and subtlety, while electronic dance music may prioritize loudness and punch. Navigating these differences demands a deep understanding of genre conventions, critical listening skills, and effective communication with clients to achieve the desired sound. Staying current with industry standards and collaborating closely with mixing engineers and artists are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Mastering Engineer vs Mixing Engineer?

AspectMastering EngineerMixing Engineer
CredentialsAudio engineering certifications, specialized mastering coursesAudio engineering certifications, mixing courses
Work EnvironmentPost-production, mastering studios, often independentRecording studios, post-production, often collaborative
Industry UsageFinalizing tracks for distribution, ensuring consistencyCreating the initial stereo mix, balancing elements

Mastering Engineers focus on preparing a final stereo track for distribution, ensuring consistency and optimal sound quality across formats. Mixing Engineers create the initial mix, balancing individual tracks. While both roles require audio engineering skills and certifications, their responsibilities and work environments differ significantly, with mastering being the final step before release.

What cities in California are hiring for Mastering Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Mastering Engineer job openings:

Mastering Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mastering Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,420 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Senior Software Engineer

Astera

Emeryville, CA • On-site

$100K - $400K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Job description

About Astera
Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress.
Unlike traditional non-profit research organizations, Astera funds and operates projects like high-velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming here.
Position Summary
We are looking for an ambitious Senior Software Engineer to help us reverse-engineer the human brain.
This role spans a broad spectrum of activities:
  • Architect high-performance infrastructure for training large-scale models and running complex simulations.
  • Design and optimize custom RL environments informed by neuroscience.
  • Write clean, fast, production-grade code that boosts our research velocity.
  • Turn research prototypes into scalable production systems.
  • Tackle any technical bottleneck, from low-level optimization to high-level system design, to unblock the research team.

Qualifications
  • High-Velocity Craftsmanship: You produce clean, maintainable, and well-tested code at a startup pace. You know how to balance engineering rigor with the need to iterate quickly on research prototypes.
  • System Architecture Intuition: You have deep experience architecting complex systems from scratch. You understand the trade-offs, and you can design infrastructure that survives the chaos of research.
  • Extreme Adaptability: You might be an expert in distributed systems today, but you are ready to become a novice in neuroscience tomorrow. You have a track record of diving into complex domains and mastering them quickly.
  • Mastery of Hard Problems: You have a track record of tackling difficult engineering challenges, whether it is massive scale distributed systems or low-level optimization. You do not shy away from what your peers consider hardcore.

Location & Visa
  • This role is in-person in Emeryville, CA.
  • Visa sponsorship may be available for qualified candidates.

Apply