Sound Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Why Sony Interactive Entertainment?

Sony Interactive Entertainment isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is the company behind the PlayStation brand. As a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, we’re part of a proud legacy of innovation and excellence. SIE is a dynamic technology company, delivering cutting‑edge hardware and network services to more than 100 million people and an entertainment leader, home to some of the most beloved and recognizable intellectual properties (IP) in the world. Our role at SIE is to create and nurture the experiences under the PlayStation brand, a name synonymous with entertainment excellence and creativity.

The Senior Director, Sound leads the creative, technical, and strategic vision for sound, dialogue and talent casting across PlayStation Studios globally. This leader sets the standard for world‑class audio experiences, guiding teams and collaborating with internal studios and external partners to deliver groundbreaking, emotionally resonant sound for PlayStation’s portfolio of AAA titles.

As the global head of the sound function, the Senior Director partners with studio leadership, technology groups, and executive management to drive innovation, quality, and alignment with PlayStation Studios’ creative and strategic goals.

At PlayStation Studios, you’ll help define the future of sound in interactive entertainment. Collaborating with award‑winning teams across the globe, you will influence the sonic identity of world‑class titles while shaping the next generation of immersive PlayStation audio experiences.

• Establish and drive global sound direction and creative vision that aligns with PlayStation Studios.
• Partner directly with executive and senior leadership to align sound strategy with overall PlayStation Studios goals.
• Partner with Studio and Audio Directors to ensure the quality of sound across studios, ensuring world‑class consistency.
• Define and champion long‑term initiatives that enhance creative and technical excellence globally.

• Drive Audio best practices across all PlayStation Studios titles.
• Lead research and development initiatives with internal teams, hardware partners, and external vendors.
• Oversee implementation pipelines and raise overall sound quality and performance standards.
• Present innovation and technology recommendations to executive leadership.

• Partner with various technology groups to define and guide PlayStation Studios’ global sound technical roadmap.
• Direct investment in new tools and technologies impacting audio creation and delivery.
• Develop new approaches to tracking, analyzing, and improving audio production workflows.
• Ensure all sound content meets or exceeds the PlayStation Studios quality bar.

• Maintain strong global relationships with external recording and production partners.
• Own PlayStation Studios standards and processes for audio acquisition and recording.

• Lead global communication efforts for the sound department.
• Represent PlayStation Studios’ sound innovations through conferences, PR, and industry forums.
• Partner with leadership to maintain consistent and transparent communication across regions.
• Cultivate collaboration and knowledge sharing across all sound teams and development partners.

• Monitor and forecast global sound team resources, staffing, and budgets to ensure the organization is both sustainable and future ready.
• Translate executive decisions into regional or studio‑level action plans.
• Collaborate to enhance production processes, improve efficiency, and strengthen cross‑studio coordination.
• Oversee budgeting, scheduling, and headcount allocation globally to maintain a responsive and efficient organization.

• Lead global sound innovation initiatives and foster creative experimentation.
• Regularly benchmark and research emerging industry practices and technologies.
• Encourage risk‑taking and creative excellence within the sound and technology teams.

• Oversee headcount planning and talent strategy for the global sound department.
• Participate in senior recruiting and key leadership interviews.
• Define global workforce and succession plans for the sound function.
• Build a culture of performance, development, and mentorship across the organization.
• Serve as a model for coaching, feedback, and professional growth.

• 15+ years of audio leadership experience within AAA game development.
• Minimum of 6 shipped AAA games in a senior sound leadership role.
• Proven record of managing, mentoring, and inspiring high‑performing sound teams.
• Deep expertise in interactive audio, post‑production, and advanced authoring tools (Wwise, FMOD, or proprietary engines).
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary development workflows (animation, level design, AI, physics, mechanics).
• Exceptional executive communication, presentation, and organizational leadership skills.
• History of delivering innovative, high‑quality sound experiences under tight time constraints.
• Collaborative, visionary leader with a passion for pushing audio boundaries in gaming.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.

At SIE, we consider several factors when setting each role’s base pay range, including the competitive benchmarking data for the market and geographic location.

Please note that the base pay range may vary in line with our hybrid working policy and individual base pay will be determined based on job‑related factors which may include knowledge, skills, experience, and location.

In addition, this role is eligible for SIE’s top‑tier benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401(k), paid time off, wellness program and coveted employee discounts for Sony products. This role also may be eligible for a bonus package. Click here to learn more.

The estimated base pay range for this role is listed below.

$235,400 – $353,000 USD

Please note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about what personal information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your data protection rights.

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond.

Sony Interactive Entertainment is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.