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Mastering Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Showing results 21-40

Mastering Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$38.7K

$100.9K

$136.3K

How much do mastering engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for mastering engineer in Virginia is $100,879.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,300.00 and $115,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.

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.
Infographic showing various Mastering Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,879 per year, or $48.5 per hour.

Data Engineer 3 - Reston, VA - Freewheel

Comcast

Reston, VA • On-site

$113K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

FreeWheel, a Comcast company, provides comprehensive ad platforms for publishers, advertisers, and media buyers. Powered by premium video content, robust data, and advanced technology, we’re making it easier for buyers and sellers to transact across all screens, data types, and sales channels. As a global company, we have offices in nine countries and can insert advertisements around the world.

Job Summary

This job independently designs, develops, and manages advanced data structures and pipelines, ensuring data quality and accessibility. It strategically implements data solutions across various platforms, maintaining compliance with privacy and regulatory standards. The role acts as a technical resource, optimizing data processes and storage to support key business initiatives.

Job Description

  • Strong SQL proficiency​

  • Programming language proficiency (Python preferred)​

  • Proficiency in distributed computing frameworks (e.g., Apache Spark)​

  • Cloud Data Warehouse management​

  • Knowledge of at least one of cloud provider (AWS, GCP, or Azure)​

  • Familiarity with data pipeline design pattern​

  • Knowledge of data observability​

  • Exposure to Embedded Business Intelligence like Looker is desired but not required

  • Exposure to modern data stack such as dbt, Airflow, Snowflake, Apache Spark is highly desired

  • Exposure to Data Consumption challenges and solutions is highly desired

Responsibilities:

  • Designing and constructing data architectures and pipelines to standardize, transform, and ensure the integrity of data for business insights
  • Guaranteeing data quality throughout the ingestion, processing, and loading phases, with a focus on maintaining high standards
  • Engineering robust ingestion frameworks for a variety of data types, while monitoring and reporting on data quality
  • Developing accessible methods for data consumption, including APIs, database views, and data extracts for user applications
  • Implementing data solutions on multiple platforms such as Kubernetes, Teradata, and cloud services like AWS and Databricks
  • Selecting appropriate data storage platforms based on data sensitivity, privacy requirements, and access needs
  • Mastering data lineage and applying transformation rules for effective change management and issue resolution
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to refine data sourcing and processing, ensuring optimal data quality and efficiency
  • Consistent exercise of independent judgment and discretion in matters of significance.
  • Regular, consistent and punctual attendance. Must be able to work nights and weekends, variable schedule(s) as necessary.
  • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Employees at all levels are expected to:

  • Understand our Operating Principles; make them the guidelines for how you do your job.
  • Own the customer experience think and act in ways that put our customers first, give them seamless digital options at every touchpoint, and make them promoters of our products and services.
  • Know your stuff be enthusiastic learners, users and advocates of our game-changing technology, products and services, especially our digital tools and experiences.
  • Win as a team make big things happen by working together and being open to new ideas.
  • Be an active part of the Net Promoter System a way of working that brings more employee and customer feedback into the company by joining huddles, making call backs and helping us elevate opportunities to do better for our customers.
  • Drive results and growth.
  • Support a culture of inclusion in how you work and lead.
  • Do what's right for each other, our customers, investors and our communities.


Disclaimer: This information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications.

Comcast is an equal opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.


Skills:

Data Lake; Data Warehouse ETL; Data Warehouse; Structured Query Language (SQL); Data Lakehouse Architecture; Data Transformation; Python (Programming Language)


Salary:

Virginia Pay Range: $113,514.12 - $170,271.17

Comcast intends to offer the selected candidate base pay within this range, dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience. The application window is 30 days from the date job is posted, unless the number of applicants requires it to close sooner or later.


Base pay is one part of the Total Rewards that Comcast provides to compensate and recognize employees for their work. Most sales positions are eligible for a Commission under the terms of an applicable plan, while most non-sales positions are eligible for a Bonus. Additionally, Comcast provides best-in-class Benefits to eligible employees. We believe that benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That’s why we provide an array of options, expert guidance and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality - to help support you physically, financially and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and benefits summary on our careers site for more details.


Education

Bachelor's Degree

While possessing the stated degree is preferred, Comcast also may consider applicants who hold some combination of coursework and experience, or who have extensive related professional experience.

Relevant Work Experience

5-7 Years