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Sound Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Walt Disney Company

Senior Sound Designer

Glendale, CA · Remote

$95K - $128K/yr

Senior Sound Designer Req ID: 10155659 Senior Sound Designer Disney Digital Entertainment is looking for a Senior Sound Designer to join us on an ambitious and exciting new project. If you are an ...

Absurd Ventures

Principal Sound Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Summary We are looking for a versatile and experienced Principal Sound Designer to join our audio team to craft and implement exceptional sound design. This role is crucial in support of defining an ...

Absurd Ventures

Principal Sound Designer

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Summary We are looking for a versatile and experienced Principal Sound Designer to join our audio team to craft and implement exceptional sound design. This role is crucial in support of defining an ...

LA 411

AUDIO CLEAN UP SPECIALIST (Berkeley)

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$300/wk

Our sound designer has not been able to clean up this section.We need an Audio Clean Up Specialist to work their magic in this section.If you are successful in cleaning up this one video, we may have ...

TrueShort

AI Music Composer & Editor

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

Working closely with the Showrunner, AI Filmmakers, Editors, and our Sound Designer, you'll help shape each series through music that feels cohesive, memorable, and production-ready. This role sits ...

Sound Ventures

Creative Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

About Sound Ventures At Sound, we believe inspiration beats convention, and that the best founders ... The Role We're looking to hire our first ever Designer who thrives on variety. This is a role for ...

THE HILL PARTNERSHIP INC

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

Strong problem-solving skills and sound design judgment. Leadership Skills (Senior Designer) * Demonstrated ability to lead design teams and guide design decision-making. * Mentorship and coaching ...

THE HILL PARTNERSHIP INC

Designer

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

Strong problem-solving skills and sound design judgment. Leadership Skills (Senior Designer) * Demonstrated ability to lead design teams and guide design decision-making. * Mentorship and coaching ...

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All JobsSound Designer JobsSound Designer Jobs in California

Sound Designer information

See California salary details

$64.1K

$82.7K

$100.2K

How much do sound designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for sound designer in California is $82,735.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $91,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sound designer?

A sound designer works to create and assemble sound effects for a video or audio production. Depending on the medium, you may produce a variety of different audio clips. You typically work closely with the director and other sound technicians to ensure all the audio comes together in a cohesive way and supports the creative goals of the production. As a sound designer, you may source special effects from third parties or find ways to create and record them yourself.

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

To thrive as a Sound Designer, you need a strong background in audio engineering, acoustics, and music theory, often supported by a relevant degree or professional training. Proficiency with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and industry-standard sound libraries is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication enable standout collaboration with directors and production teams. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing immersive and high-quality soundscapes that enhance the overall impact of media projects.

What are some common challenges sound designers face when collaborating with other departments on a project?

Sound Designers often collaborate closely with directors, game developers, or video editors, which can present challenges such as aligning creative vision and managing feedback from multiple stakeholders. Balancing technical constraints, like file formats or hardware limitations, with artistic goals is a frequent hurdle. Effective communication and flexibility are essential, as last-minute script changes or edits may require rapid sound adjustments. Building strong relationships with other departments helps ensure the final audio fits seamlessly into the overall project.

What is the difference between Sound Designer vs Sound Editor?

AspectSound DesignerSound Editor
CredentialsTypically holds a degree in audio production, sound design, or related fieldOften has similar educational background, sometimes with additional editing certifications
Work EnvironmentWorks in film, video games, advertising, and multimedia projects, creating original soundscapesPrimarily works in post-production, editing and assembling sound recordings
Industry UsageUsed across entertainment, media, and advertising industriesCommonly employed in film, TV, and video game post-production

While both roles involve working with audio, a Sound Designer creates original sound elements and atmospheres, whereas a Sound Editor focuses on editing and assembling existing audio recordings. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the audio industry.

How much money do sound designers make?

Sound designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Those working in film, video games, or advertising may have higher earning potential, especially with specialized skills and advanced equipment knowledge.

Is sound design a good career?

Sound design is a viable career for those interested in audio production, requiring skills in audio editing, mixing, and familiarity with software like Pro Tools or Ableton. It offers opportunities in film, video games, advertising, and theater, often involving project-based work and collaboration with creative teams.
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Sound Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sound Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,735 per year, or $39.8 per hour.

Senior Sound Designer

The Walt Disney Company

Glendale, CA • Remote

$95K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life

Posted 26 days ago

Walt Disney Company rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 129 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 52 rated entertainment

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Senior Sound Designer

Req ID:

10155659

Job Description:

Senior Sound Designer

Disney Digital Entertainment is looking for a Senior Sound Designer to join us on an ambitious and exciting new project. If you are an imaginative audio creator with superb game development skills and a love of Disney/Pixar, 20th Century, Star Wars, and Marvel properties, you'll want to check out this opportunity.

We are building an experienced development team that will help create groundbreaking interactive entertainment representing the next generation of Disney storytelling. Working alongside top-class industry talent, this role is perfect for a seasoned game audio professional looking to craft something truly epic - collaborating with designers, artists, engineers, and fellow audio creatives to build memorable worlds and emotionally engaging player experiences that feel distinctly Disney.

This role will report to the Audio Lead.

What You Will Do:

  • Be a hands-on sound designer creating high-quality audio content for interactive games and experiences based on Disney's extensive portfolio of characters and worlds, including Disney/Pixar, Marvel, 20th Century and Star Wars.
  • Design, edit, implement, and polish sound effects, ambiences, cinematic audio, and gameplay systems across a variety of genres and play styles.
  • Partner closely with the Audio Lead to help define and execute the project's audio aesthetic.
  • Implement interactive audio using Unreal Engine, UEFN (Unreal Editor Fortnite), middleware tools such as Wwise and/or FMOD, and proprietary pipelines.
  • Troubleshoot complex implementation and pipeline issues across multiple disciplines.
  • Mix and balance in-game audio to achieve clarity, immersion, emotional impact, and gameplay readability.
  • Participate in playtests, iteration, and debugging to ensure audio quality and functionality across platforms.

you

Basic Qualifications and Skills:

  • 6 years of professional game audio experience, including at least two shipped titles in a Senior Sound Designer or equivalent role.
  • Expertise designing and implementing interactive audio using Unreal Engine and middleware tools such as Wwise and/or FMOD.
  • Strong sound editing, mixing, and audio asset creation skills.
  • Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to solve creative and technical challenges.
  • Have a deep appreciation for Disney's storytelling, cinematic presentation, theme park experiences, and overall creative legacy.
  • Enjoy creative problem-solving and building experiences that emotionally connect with players.
  • Have a strong sense of how sound enhances pacing, player feedback, world-building, and narrative.
  • Understand interactive audio pipelines, implementation techniques, and the strengths and limitations of modern game engines and middleware.
  • Communicate effectively across disciplines including design, engineering, animation, and production.
  • Have a passion for innovation and pushing the boundaries of game audio and player immersion.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working directly in the UEFN development engine.
  • Experience composing, arranging, and producing original music for interactive media and games is not required but would be a plus

Additional Information:

  • A demo reel and/or online portfolio showcasing sound design and technical audio work.
  • Please disable passwords or include them in your resume/application

Our Benefits: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits

#LI-REQ

#Gamesjobs

#LI-Remote

    The hiring range for this remote position is $95,500 to $128,000 per year, which factors in various geographic regions. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

    Job Posting Segment:

    NA - Games

    Job Posting Primary Business:

    Regional (NA - Games)

    Primary Job Posting Category:

    Games-Audio

    Employment Type:

    Full time

    Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:

    Glendale, CA, USA

    Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:

    Date Posted:

    2026-07-31

    What Walt Disney Company employees say

    Pay

    Benefits

    Hours and flexibility

    Workplace

    Get the full story on Breakroom

    Walt Disney logo

    About Walt Disney

    Sourced by ZipRecruiter

    At Disney, we're storytellers. We make the impossible, possible. We do this through utilizing and developing cutting-edge technology and pushing the envelope to bring stories to life through our movies, products, interactive games, parks and resorts, and media networks. Now is your chance to join our talented team that delivers unparalleled creative content to audiences around the world. "We create happiness." That's our motto at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. And it permeates everything we do. At Disney, you'll help inspire that magic by enabling our teams to push the limits of entertainment and create the never-before-seen!

    Industry

    Amusement, gambling, and recreation

    Company size

    10,000+ Employees

    Headquarters location

    Burbank, CA, US

    Social media

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