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Staff Audio Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Qualcomm

Sr. Staff Audio Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

The Senior Staff Audio Engineer is a technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, and optimization of complex audio subsystems. This role defines the direction for audio technologies ...

NPR

Audio Engineer

Washington, DC

$44.04 - $49.67/hr

Mixing while taking live direction from editorial staff in a broadcast, theater-tech, sound ... Degree in audio engineering or related field of study preferred. Work Location * This is an on-site ...

Jacob's Pillow Dance

Head Audio Engineer

MA · On-site

$23.58 - $26/hr

Head Audio Engineer STATUS: Seasonal LOCATION: Becket, MA REPORTS TO: Production Manager of ... Visiting Companies Staff and Artists ARRIVAL: May 11, 2026 START: May 12, 2026 END/DEPARTURE: End ...

NPR

Audio Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Mixing while taking live direction from editorial staff in a broadcast, theater-tech, sound ... Degree in audio engineering or related field of study preferred. Work Location * This is an on-site ...

NPR

Audio Engineer

Washington, DC

Mixing while taking live direction from editorial staff in a broadcast, theater-tech, sound ... Degree in audio engineering or related field of study preferred. Work Location * This is an on-site ...

Rivian

Staff Audio System Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$167K - $209K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a versatile Senior Audio System Engineer to lead the technical ... background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian may transfer or store ...

Rivian

Staff Audio System Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$167K - $209K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a versatile Senior Audio System Engineer to lead the technical ... background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian may transfer or store ...

Rivian

Staff Audio System Engineer

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$167K - $209K/yr

Role Summary We are seeking a versatile Senior Audio System Engineer to lead the technical ... background checks, staffing services, and cloud services. Rivian may transfer or store ...

Ohio University

Audio Engineer

Athens, OH · On-site

$43K - $62K/yr

Position Information Business Title Audio Engineer Applications Accepted From Planning Unit Wide ... Train professional and student staff on installed equipment utilization. This individual must be ...

New

Alignerr

Audio Engineer - Pro Tools

Seattle, WA · Remote

$25 - $50/hr

Audio Engineers - Pro Tools (Contract) Labelbox • Remote (United States preferred) Shape the data ... staffed as projects launch What you'll do - Produce, mix, and master high-quality audio content ...

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Staff Audio Engineer information

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$23K

$99.3K

$192.5K

How much do staff audio engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff audio engineer in the United States is $99,330.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Staff Audio Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Staff Audio Engineer, you need in-depth knowledge of audio production, signal flow, mixing, and recording practices, often supported by a degree in audio engineering or related experience. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools or Logic Pro, as well as industry-standard audio hardware and software, is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively with artists and production teams set exceptional engineers apart. These skills ensure high-quality sound production, efficient workflows, and successful project outcomes in demanding studio or live environments.

How does a Staff Audio Engineer typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

As a Staff Audio Engineer, you will frequently collaborate with producers, directors, sound designers, and artists to ensure the audio meets the project's creative and technical standards. This often involves attending pre-production meetings, coordinating recording sessions, and integrating feedback from various stakeholders. You may also work closely with software developers or game designers when working on interactive media projects. Clear communication and adaptability are essential, as project requirements can evolve rapidly, requiring you to adjust your workflow and priorities accordingly.

What are Staff Audio Engineers?

Staff Audio Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing the recording, mixing, and mastering of audio for music, film, television, or live events. They typically hold senior roles within audio teams, guiding technical decisions and mentoring junior engineers. Staff Audio Engineers work with artists, producers, and directors to ensure high-quality sound production, solve complex audio problems, and often help design studio workflows. Their expertise covers a range of audio technologies, acoustics, and industry standards to deliver the best possible listening experience.

What is the difference between Staff Audio Engineer vs Audio Engineer?

AspectStaff Audio EngineerAudio Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in audio engineering or related field, with extensive experienceOften requires a degree or certification, but less experience needed
Work EnvironmentWorks on complex projects in studios, live events, or production facilitiesPerforms recording, mixing, and editing tasks in studios or on location
Industry UsageUsed across film, TV, music, and live events with seniority in teamsCommon entry to mid-level role in similar industries

The Staff Audio Engineer typically has more experience, handles complex projects, and may lead teams, whereas the Audio Engineer focuses on recording, mixing, and editing tasks at various experience levels. Both roles require technical skills and industry knowledge, but the Staff Audio Engineer often holds a higher level of responsibility and expertise.

More about Staff Audio Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Staff Audio Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Staff Audio Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Staff Audio Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Staff Audio Engineer jobs are:
Staff Audio Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Staff Audio Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,330 per year, or $47.8 per hour.
Sr. Staff Audio Engineer

Sr. Staff Audio Engineer

Qualcomm

San Diego, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Qualcomm rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

4th of 186 rated software companies

Job description

Company:
Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
Job Area:
Engineering Group, Engineering Group > Software Engineering
General Summary:
The Senior Staff Audio Engineer is a technical authority responsible for the architecture, design, and optimization of complex audio subsystems. This role defines the direction for audio technologies (voice, playback, record, streaming) and ensures seamless integration across hardware and software stacks. The engineer works independently, influences key technical decisions, and leads cross-functional efforts to deliver high-quality audio experiences for mobile, automotive, or IoT platforms.
Responsibilities
1. Technical Architecture & Strategy
  • System Architecture: Lead the definition and design of end-to-end audio architectures, including Audio Frameworks (Android/QNX), HAL (Hardware Abstraction Layer), and kernel-level drivers.
  • Feature Development: Drive the design of advanced audio features such as spatial audio, active noise cancellation (ANC), voice activation/UI, and low-latency audio pipelines.
  • Performance Optimization: Analyze system performance to identify bottlenecks; optimize power consumption, latency, and memory usage for audio use cases.
  • Innovation: Propose and prototype new audio algorithms or system modifications to improve acoustic performance and machine perception capabilities.
2. Leadership & Execution
  • Technical Leadership: Serve as the primary technical interface for audio subsystems; lead design reviews and provide critical feedback to ensure design integrity.
  • Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate with Hardware, System, and Test teams to align on requirements and resolve complex integration challenges (e.g., synchronizing audio with display/video).
  • Issue Resolution: Lead complex root cause analysis (RCA) for critical audio defects (e.g., distortion, drops, synchronization issues) and drive solutions across multiple layers of the stack.
  • Mentorship: Mentor senior and staff engineers on best practices, code reviews, and architectural patterns.
3. Process & Standards
  • Standards Compliance: Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., USB Audio, Bluetooth A2DP/LE Audio, Dolby/DTS certifications).
  • Documentation: Create detailed technical specifications, architecture documents, and API definitions; present technical strategies to senior leadership.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 6+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
Master's degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 5+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
OR
PhD in Engineering, Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field and 4+ years of Software Engineering or related work experience.
• 3+ years of work experience with Programming Language such as C, C++, Java, Python, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Languages: Expert proficiency in C/C++; familiarity with Java/Kotlin (for Android) or Python (for tooling/analysis).
  • OS/Kernel: Deep understanding of Linux/Android kernel audio drivers (ASoC), device tree configuration, and memory management (DMA, ION).
  • Audio Frameworks: Hands-on experience with Android Audio Framework (AudioFlinger, AudioPolicyManager), Audio HAL (HIDL/AIDL), PulseAudio, PipeWire, or ALSA/TinyALSA.
  • DSP & Algorithms: Knowledge of audio signal processing (sample rates, formats, mixing, post-processing effects) and DSP architecture (Hexagon/Qualcomm DSP experience is a plus).
  • Interfaces: Experience with standard audio interfaces (I2S, TDM, SLIMbus, SoundWire, USB, HDMI).
  • Debugging: Proficiency with debugging tools (JTAG, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes) and audio measurement tools (Audio Precision, HEAD acoustics).

  • Decision Making: Makes critical architectural decisions with significant impact on product roadmap and timelines.
  • Communication: Conveys complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders and influences decision-making at Director/VP levels.
  • Autonomy: Operates independently with minimal supervision; defines scope and drives tasks to completion in ambiguous environments.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Works independently with minimal supervision.
  • Provides supervision and guidance to other team members.
  • Makes decisions that significantly affect work beyond the immediate team.
  • Utilizes verbal and written communication skills; may require negotiation, influence, and tact.
  • Has moderate influence over key organizational decisions (e.g., consulted by senior leadership).
  • Performs tasks requiring multiple steps that may be completed in various orders; requires extensive planning, problem-solving, and prioritization.

Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation during the application/hiring process, rest assured that Qualcomm is committed to providing an accessible process. You may e-mail disability-accomodations@qualcomm.com or call Qualcomm's toll-free number found here. Upon request, Qualcomm will provide reasonable accommodations to support individuals with disabilities to be able participate in the hiring process. Qualcomm is also committed to making our workplace accessible for individuals with disabilities. (Keep in mind that this email address is used to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. We will not respond here to requests for updates on applications or resume inquiries).
To all Staffing and Recruiting Agencies: Our Careers Site is only for individuals seeking a job at Qualcomm. Staffing and recruiting agencies and individuals being represented by an agency are not authorized to use this site or to submit profiles, applications or resumes, and any such submissions will be considered unsolicited. Qualcomm does not accept unsolicited resumes or applications from agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, Qualcomm employees or any other company location. Qualcomm is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes/applications.
EEO Employer: Qualcomm is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classification.
Qualcomm expects its employees to abide by all applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to security and other requirements regarding protection of Company confidential information and other confidential and/or proprietary information, to the extent those requirements are permissible under applicable law.
Pay range and Other Compensation & Benefits:
$162,600.00 - $244,000.00
The above pay scale reflects the broad, minimum to maximum, pay scale for this job code for the location for which it has been posted. Even more importantly, please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Qualcomm. We also offer a competitive annual discretionary bonus program and opportunity for annual RSU grants (employees on sales-incentive plans are not eligible for our annual bonus). In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work, at home, and at play. Your recruiter will be happy to discuss all that Qualcomm has to offer - and you can review more details about our US benefits at this link.
If you would like more information about this role, please contact Qualcomm Careers.
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About Qualcomm

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. You interact with products and technologies made possible by Qualcomm every day, including 5G-enabled smartphones that double as pro-level cameras and gaming devices, smarter vehicles and cities, and the technology behind the smart, connected factories that manufactured your latest purchase. Our powerful connectivity solutions keep you connected—even in remote areas. Qualcomm 5G and AI innovations are the power behind the connected intelligent edge. You’ll find our technologies behind and inside the innovations that deliver significant value across multiple industries and to billions of people every day.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

San Diego, CA, US

Year founded

1985

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