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Sound Recording Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

AI Infrastructure Engineer

Los Altos, CA · On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

We value the ability to learn and make sound tradeoffs more than exact tool-for-tool matching. What ... A track record of taking ambiguous operational problems from diagnosis through durable resolution.

New

Test Engineer II

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$75 - $80/hr

... quality records system. The role involves running an established, documented test process on a ... test experience: sound-pressure-level, frequency-response, gain, and level measurements ...

The position requires strong analytical skills, sound engineering judgment, and a passion for power ... records, identity verification, credit check. Certain positions dealing with sensitive and/or third ...

The position requires strong analytical skills, sound engineering judgment, and a passion for power ... records, identity verification, credit check. Certain positions dealing with sensitive and/or third ...

Able to apply sound engineering judgement to resolve technical issues * Able to take on responsibility for high-profile projects * Clean driving record/abstract * The following qualifications are ...

Able to apply sound engineering judgement to resolve technical issues * Able to take on responsibility for high-profile projects * Clean driving record/abstract * The following qualifications are ...

... using sound methodologies to establish test limits and datasheet specifications. You will ... record releases, and safe launch planning and execution. * Coordinate closely with foundries ...

Civil Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$107K - $155K/yr

... attendance and recording. The smaller projects that this role may be assigned to will have ... Ability to solve problems using sound professional judgment, creativity, and innovation. * Ability ...

Civil Engineer

Santa Barbara, CA · On-site

$107K - $155K/yr

... attendance and recording. The smaller projects that this role may be assigned to will have ... Ability to solve problems using sound professional judgment, creativity, and innovation. * Ability ...

... recording and display systems and pathways. The engineer will work in collaboration with the branch's technical and engineering teams and provide technically sound advice to managers and peers on the ...

... recording and display systems and pathways. The engineer will work in collaboration with the branch's technical and engineering teams and provide technically sound advice to managers and peers on the ...

Cross-stack debugging - a track record of operating across the stack and untangling complex systems. * Engineering judgment - sound instincts on trade-offs, not just technical breadth. Nice to have ...

Cross-stack debugging - a track record of operating across the stack and untangling complex systems. * Engineering judgment - sound instincts on trade-offs, not just technical breadth. Nice to have ...

Showing results 21-40

Sound Recording Engineer information

See California salary details

$12

$55

$79

How much do sound recording engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for sound recording engineer in California is $55.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $39.62 and $73.56 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a sound recording engineer?

A Sound Recording Engineer is a professional who operates and manages audio recording equipment to capture, mix, and edit sound for music, film, television, or other media. They work closely with producers, musicians, and other audio professionals to ensure high-quality sound recordings. Their responsibilities often include setting up microphones, adjusting audio levels, using digital audio workstations, and applying effects to enhance the final product. Sound Recording Engineers require strong technical skills and a good ear for detail.

What is the difference between Sound Recording Engineer vs Sound Technician?

AspectSound Recording EngineerSound Technician
CredentialsAudio engineering degree or certificationTechnical training or certification in audio equipment
Work EnvironmentRecording studios, post-production facilitiesLive events, broadcast, or studio setups
Employer & IndustryMusic, film, TV, and commercial productionBroadcast stations, live events, and venues
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on recording and mixingFocuses on setup and operation of audio equipment

While both roles involve working with audio equipment, a Sound Recording Engineer primarily focuses on capturing, mixing, and producing high-quality recordings in studio settings. In contrast, a Sound Technician handles the setup, operation, and maintenance of audio equipment during live events or broadcasts. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the audio industry.

Is there a demand for sound recording engineers?

Sound recording engineers are in demand in the music, film, television, and live event industries, especially as audio technology advances. Employment opportunities depend on industry growth, location, and technical skills such as proficiency with digital audio workstations and mixing equipment.

What are some common challenges sound recording engineers face during live recording sessions, and how can they be addressed?

Sound Recording Engineers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable acoustics, equipment malfunctions, and balancing sound levels among multiple performers during live sessions. To address these, engineers typically conduct thorough sound checks, prepare backup equipment, and maintain clear communication with performers and the technical team. Flexibility and problem-solving skills are essential, as quick adjustments may be needed to ensure optimal sound quality throughout the session.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sound recording engineer?

To thrive as a Sound Recording Engineer, you need a solid understanding of audio engineering principles, acoustics, and music production, often supported by a degree or certification in audio engineering or a related field. Proficiency with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools or Logic Pro, as well as familiarity with mixing consoles and studio equipment, is essential. Strong attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with artists and producers. These skills ensure high-quality audio production, efficient studio sessions, and the ability to meet artistic and technical expectations.

Do audio recording engineers make good money?

Audio recording engineers' salaries vary based on experience, location, and the industry they work in. Entry-level engineers typically earn lower wages, while experienced professionals working in major markets or high-profile projects can earn significantly higher incomes, often supplemented by freelance work or additional skills such as mixing and mastering. Overall, the profession offers potential for good earnings but can also be competitive and project-dependent.
What are popular job titles related to Sound Recording Engineer jobs in California? For Sound Recording Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Sound Recording Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Sound Recording Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Sound Recording Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Sound Recording Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Sound Recording 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 $114,938 per year, or $55.3 per hour.

AI Infrastructure Engineer

Palona AI

Los Altos, CA • On-site

$127K - $167K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Palona's AI agents operate continuously in production, handle real-time guest interactions, integrate with restaurant systems, and face sharp traffic peaks. Infrastructure is therefore part of the product: latency, reliability, deployment safety, observability, security, and cost directly shape the guest and operator experience.

We are looking for an Infrastructure Engineer who combines cloud and reliability depth with strong software engineering judgment. You will build and operate the platform beneath Palona's AI products, improve how engineers ship, and turn production signals into durable system improvements. This is not a ticket-driven IT or operations role. You will write production code, design systems, automate repetitive work, and own outcomes across the full service lifecycle.

Our current environment includes Python services, Docker, AWS and selected Azure services, ECS and Lambda workloads, API Gateway, load balancers, relational data systems, OpenTofu/Terraform, Datadog, and CI/CD automation. We value the ability to learn and make sound tradeoffs more than exact tool-for-tool matching.

What you will own:
  • Design, build, and evolve secure, scalable cloud infrastructure for real-time AI services and customer-facing applications.
  • Improve service reliability through clear SLOs, actionable observability, capacity planning, failure testing, and pragmatic incident prevention.
  • Build deployment and release systems that make production changes fast, repeatable, auditable, and safe.
  • Own infrastructure as code, environment consistency, and reusable platform patterns across development, staging, and production.
  • Partner with product and AI engineers on architecture, performance, data flows, and operational readiness for new capabilities.
  • Diagnose complex distributed-system failures across application, network, database, model-provider, and third-party integration boundaries.
  • Reduce infrastructure and model-serving cost without compromising customer experience or engineering velocity.
  • Strengthen secrets management, access controls, backup and recovery, vulnerability management, and other practical security foundations.
  • Build internal tooling and paved paths that let engineers ship and operate services with less manual work.
  • Participate in incident response and turn incidents into better systems, automation, documentation, and engineering judgment.

Requirements

  • 3+ years industrial experience in relevant technic domain.
  • Strong software engineering fundamentals and experience building or operating production distributed systems.
  • Hands-on experience with a major cloud platform; AWS experience is especially relevant.
  • Experience with containers, infrastructure as code, CI/CD, monitoring, alerting, and production debugging.
  • Ability to write reliable automation and services in Python or another modern programming language.
  • Sound judgment around availability, latency, scalability, security, and cost tradeoffs.
  • A track record of taking ambiguous operational problems from diagnosis through durable resolution.
  • Clear communication during architecture reviews, launches, and incidents.
  • AI-native working habits and curiosity about the operational behavior of LLM- and agent-powered systems.

Benefits

  • Competitive Salary and Stock Option Plan.
  • Medical, dental, vision, retirement, leave, and disability benefits as applicable.
  • Family Leave
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Paid time off and company holidays.
  • Learning and development support.