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Video Game Sound Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

The Game Designer plays a key role in the game and product development process from start to finish ... Write instructions & "How to Play" video scripts with accessibility and clarity in mind * Partner ...

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30 - $38/hr

The Game Designer plays a key role in the game and product development process from start to finish ... Write instructions & "How to Play" video scripts with accessibility and clarity in mind * Partner ...

Cloud Chamber

Senior Combat Designer (AI archetype)

Novato, CA · On-site

$119K - $128K/yr

Required : • Shipped at least one AAA title as a designer responsible for AI combatants. • 5+ years professional experience in video game design. • Excellent written and verbal communication ...

Exploding Kittens

Contract Game Designer

Los Angeles, CA

$30 - $38/hr

The Game Designer plays a key role in the game and product development process from start to finish ... Write instructions & "How to Play" video scripts with accessibility and clarity in mind * Partner ...

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All JobsVideo Game Sound Designer JobsVideo Game Sound Designer Jobs in California

Video Game Sound Designer information

See California salary details

$12

$18

$22

How much do video game sound designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for video game sound designer in California is $18.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $19.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Video Game Sound Designer vs Video Game Audio Engineer?

AspectVideo Game Sound DesignerVideo Game Audio Engineer
CredentialsTypically a degree in audio production, sound design, or related fieldSimilar credentials, often with additional technical certifications
Work EnvironmentCreative teams within game development studios, focusing on designing sounds and musicTechnical roles in audio implementation, mixing, and mastering within game projects
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by game studios to create original sound assetsEmployed to implement and optimize audio assets in games

While both roles involve audio in gaming, the Video Game Sound Designer primarily creates and conceptualizes sound effects and music, whereas the Video Game Audio Engineer focuses on technical implementation, mixing, and ensuring audio quality within the game environment.

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

To thrive as a Video Game Sound Designer, you need a solid background in audio production, sound design, and music theory, often supported by a degree in audio engineering or a related field. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs) like Pro Tools or Logic Pro, audio middleware such as Wwise or FMOD, and experience with game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine are typically required. Creativity, strong collaboration, and effective communication help you work closely with developers and artists to achieve immersive audio experiences. These skills are crucial for creating high-quality soundscapes that enhance gameplay and player engagement.

What does a video game sound designer do?

As a video game sound designer, your primary responsibilities are to collect, edit, and create audio to use as sound effects and music in video games. Your duties include recording sounds, working to match audio with animations or game environments, editing soundtracks, implementing the files, and testing the sound in gameplay. You collaborate with audio engineers and game developers to ensure the final product matches the original concept. You typically use sound from an audio library, but if the intended tone is not available, you may record and mix sounds to produce the right gaming elements.

What does a video game sound designer do?

A Video Game Sound Designer is responsible for creating and implementing audio elements such as sound effects, ambience, and sometimes music, to enhance the gaming experience. They work closely with the development team to ensure sounds fit the game's style and support gameplay. Their duties can include recording original sounds, editing audio, and integrating sounds into the game engine. Good sound design helps create an immersive environment and emotional impact for players.

How does a video game sound designer typically collaborate with other members of the development team?

Video Game Sound Designers work closely with game developers, artists, and narrative designers to ensure that audio elements align with the game's visual and storytelling goals. They often participate in interdisciplinary meetings to discuss how sound can enhance gameplay and player immersion. Sound Designers regularly provide feedback on prototypes, sync their work with animation and programming teams, and revise audio assets based on iterative testing. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as project requirements can evolve rapidly during development.
More about Video Game Sound Designer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Video Game Sound Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Video Game Sound Designer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Video Game Sound Designer jobs in California? For Video Game Sound Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Video Game Sound Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Video Game Sound Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Video Game Sound Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Video Game Sound Designer job openings:
Video Game Sound Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Video Game Sound Designer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,094 per year, or $18.3 per hour.

Principal Sound Designer

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA • On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

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 iconic soundscape for our unique and innovative open world game. As a Principal, your mission is to use your creative and technical audio skills to inspire and evangelize the team in creating outstanding and compelling sound design. You will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with some of the greatest developers in the industry on an exciting, immersive, narrative AAA game.
Core Responsibilities
  • Create exceptional and immersive sound design using both commercial and proprietary tools, software, and source material.
  • Work closely with the Audio Director to help define and execute the project's overall audio vision.
  • Collaborate with engineers and fellow sound designers to build, implement, and scale audio pipelines.
  • Proactively anticipate project needs and independently develop and implement solutions.
  • Optimize audio assets and recommend workflow improvements to enhance efficiency and scalability.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex audio issues across multiple disciplines.
  • Effectively communicate technical and creative ideas through clear written and verbal communication.
  • Manage time independently and drive complex, multi-phase initiatives through to completion.

Core Qualifications
  • 8+ years of professional experience in the games industry as a sound designer, with some senior experience on shipped AAA titles.
  • Proven track record of owning and delivering complex audio systems on shipped titles.
  • Demonstrated experience collaborating with engineering and cross-disciplinary teams on large-scale projects.
  • Strong background in recording high-quality source material and pushing it through to final asset implementation.
  • Expertise with AAA game engines and deep knowledge of audio implementation workflows.
  • Advanced proficiency in Wwise and real-time audio systems.
  • Background in mentoring team members and sharing both technical and creative expertise.

Key Attributes
  • A collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a strong emphasis on cross-discipline partnership.
  • Ability to inspire and elevate others through leadership, mentorship, and craftsmanship.
  • Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of solving problems with minimal direction.
  • Adaptable and responsive to feedback and evolving project requirements.

Plus if
  • Experience contributing during early development and R&D phases.
  • Experience designing and improving custom audio tools and workflows for large scale open-world games.
  • Scripting experience in Python, MEL, or similar languages.
  • Passion for video games, storytelling, cinema, and a strong understanding of game audio.

Description
  • Full-time job with benefits.
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA.
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeways.
  • The base pay range for this position is $140,000 to $160,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including paid time off, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

About Absurd Ventures
Absurd Ventures is a media company creating new IP across all platforms and for all formats. Absurd Ventures is building narrative worlds, creating characters, and writing stories for a variety of genres, without regard to medium, to be produced for live-action and animation; video games and other interactive content; books, graphic novels, and scripted podcasts.

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