Associate Audio Designer

Who is PlaySide Studios?

PlaySide Studios is a dynamic and innovative company that employs individuals across Australia, New Zealand and the UK. As Australia's largest publicly listed independent video game developer, PlaySide is committed to delivering cutting-edge interactive experiences across mobile, VR, AR, and PC platforms. With a diverse portfolio of more than 60 titles and collaborations with industry giants like Netflix and Activision Blizzard, working at PlaySide is not just a job but an opportunity to be part of an innovating the gaming industry.

Position Overview:

Do you have a passion for crafting immersive soundscapes that bring games to life? We're seeking an enthusiastic Associate Audio Designer to join our vibrant team on a fixed term contract basis! In this exciting role, you'll create and implement dynamic audio assets, leveraging both your own recordings and existing resources with a range of cutting-edge software. You'll integrate seamlessly into our multidisciplinary game teams, learning game development workflows and embracing new techniques to deliver high-quality, impactful audio. If you're eager to grow your skills in a fast-paced, collaborative, and creative environment, we'd love to connect!

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Deliver audio files that meet specifications and are well-formatted, professional, and error-free.
• Have a basic understanding of acoustics, including amplitude, phase, and waveshapes.
• Understand middleware and its necessity, with some practical experience in professional or non-professional contexts.
• Potentially have experience with VR games and MR technologies, having worked on basic audio design for a VR project.
• Edit music with fundamental skills, creating variations, usable loops, and alternate pieces, focusing on musical structures.
• Be proficient in using PC/Mac, following principles assigned by senior staff and company protocols.
• Use various middleware features to create engaging, multi-layered soundscapes.
• Have basic experience with Unity and Unreal Engine, managing GameObjects and Actors.
• Safely pull/push repositories, work on feature branches, and handle pull requests/rebasing to prevent merge conflicts.
• Communicate basic concepts effectively to other audio team members.

What You Bring to the Table:

• Basic understanding of DAWs, signal processing, acoustics (amplitude, phase, waveshapes), and fundamental music editing skills, including creating usable loops and alternate music pieces.
• Proficiency in using PC/Mac and familiarity with middleware such as FMOD and Wwise, as well as audio scripting abilities (C# / C++).
• Experience with basic Unity and Unreal Engine operations, managing GameObjects and Actors.
• Strong communication skills to effectively discuss creative and mix decisions, with the ability to follow principles assigned by senior staff and adhere to company protocols.
• Ability to maintain a positive, collaborative, and trusting team environment, with openness to mentoring and actively seeking growth opportunities.
• Technical troubleshooting skills with a focus on workflow improvement and knowledge of Git/version control.
• Experience working on shipped titles, contributions to open-source projects, or participation in game jams.
• Novice knowledge of music theory, composition practices, and middleware like FMOD or Wwise.

What We Offer Here at PlaySide:

• Playdays - an additional 5 paid days off per year to do something you love.
• Incredible studios based in gorgeous Port Melbourne, right next to the city and many public transport options.
• Industry-leading Parental Leave benefits.
• Relocation Assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program to support mental well-being.
• Mentoring opportunities to help you grow in your role.
• Half-price state-of-the-art Gym access! (right next door) - you can wear your free PlaySide swag!
• Social events including Games night, karaoke nights, Movie Nights (We hire out the cinema!), group activities, and food trucks! Just as some examples!