Open Jobs:
Firaxis Audio – Project Audio Director – Marvel’s Midnight Suns
Overview
Firaxis Games is searching for an experienced, technically minded, project Audio Director to lead the audio vision of Marvel’s Midnight Suns. In this position, you will be responsible for the overall project audio direction, supporting technical innovation by defining efficient and performant audio pipelines while overseeing all aspects of the game’s audio development.
You will work closely with the Studio Audio Director and project leadership to ensure audio is represented at the highest levels and take ownership of the sonic identity across the title. You will contribute to the strategic leadership goals as it pertains to the audio team while being a champion for audio within the studio. Autonomous in your work, you are enthusiastic and motivated to push the boundaries of game audio and strive to elevate and achieve our studio’s creative vision through sound.
The ideal candidate has experience overseeing all aspects of a game’s audio development from pre-production to ship, and has a proven track record of conceptualizing and integrating innovative technical audio pipelines and systems to fulfill project goals. Effective at planning and developing realistic timelines to deliver results, combined with an unwavering desire to promote and support audio within a development team, you are a thoughtful and motivated leader willing to accept any challenge head on.
Responsibilities
- Define and uphold the project’s audio direction both on a creative and technical level, while ensuring world-class audio quality is met and the vision is effectively communicated
- Oversee all aspects of the game’s audio development and implementation regarding sound assets, dialogue, music, and mix
- Create and implement audio assets within the game and audio engine as needed
- Conceptualize innovative audio features, concepts, and best practices to support providing exceptional audio design and implementation across the project
- Outline efficient audio pipelines and infrastructures to support advanced audio implementation systems and toolsets (narrative voice pipelines, audio build-systems, etc.)
- Work closely with project production to certify tasks, milestones, and deliverables are well defined and achievable as it pertains to audio
- Define and advocate for game audio technology which best allows the team to create world class audio experiences for our players
- Identify and improve legacy audio systems and pipelines to advance the audio quality of the title and improve audio production practices
- Work in partnership with project leadership to ensure cross-discipline collaboration of a shared vision toward all aspects of the game’s production, development, and creative direction
- Align with the Studio Audio Director to ensure the global studio audio vision is upheld and resources are allocated appropriately
- Mentor audio team members and contribute to their personal growth and development within the team
- Collaborate with marketing and other external partners to maintain the project’s audio vision across deliverables
- Actively identify, troubleshoot, and debug project audio issues, establishing priority, throughout development
- Actively participate in playtests and provide feedback to the team with actionable items
- Build and maintain positive relationships with potential outsourcing teams on an ‘as-needed’ basis
Qualifications
- 3+ Years experience working as an Audio Director within the games industry
- 8+ Years experience working in audio for AAA game titles
- Proven leadership and mentoring experience working as a Lead or Director
- At least 1 AAA / Major Title shipped in an Audio Director role
- At least 3 AAA / Major Titles shipped as a member of an audio team
- Highly proficient in AudioKinetc’s Wwise middleware software
- Highly proficient in Unreal engine development with a focus on audio implementation
- Experience shipping titles across multiple SKUs, incorporating performance optimizations as needed
- Extensive knowledge of developing complex audio pipelines and integrations, such as narrative pipelines, audio build systems, audio features (HDR, Propagation Systems, Dynamic Reverb Systems, etc.)
- Experience mixing game audio supporting various user defined end points (surround, Dolby Atmos, etc.)
- Extensive knowledge of audio production standards and best practices within the games industry
- Incredibly organized with effective communication and leadership skills
- A passion for cultivating a fun, inclusive, and respectful working environment
Who We Are
Founded in 2005, 2K Games is a global video game company, publishing titles developed by some of the most influential game development studios in the world. Our studios responsible for developing 2K’s portfolio of world-class games across multiple platforms, include Visual Concepts, Firaxis, Hangar 13, CatDaddy, Cloud Chamber, and HB Studios. Our portfolio of titles is expanding due to our global strategic plan, building and acquiring exciting studios whose content continues to inspire all of us! 2K publishes titles in today’s most popular gaming genres, including sports, shooters, action, role-playing, strategy, casual, and family entertainment.
Our team of engineers, marketers, artists, writers, data scientists, producers, thinkers and doers, are the professional publishing stewards of our growing library of critically-acclaimed franchises such as NBA 2K, Battleborn, BioShock, Borderlands, The Darkness, Mafia, Sid Meier’s Civilization, WWE 2K, and XCOM.
At 2K, we pride ourselves on creating an inclusive work environment, which means encouraging our teams to Come as You Are and do your best work! We are dedicated to diversity and inclusion, and want our community of candidates to reflect this commitment. We encourage all qualified applicants to explore our global positions. 2K is headquartered in Novato, California and is a wholly owned label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
Please note that 2K Games and its studios never uses instant messaging apps or personal email accounts to contact prospective employees or conduct interviews and when emailing, only use 2K.com accounts.
Firaxis Games
Who We Are
MAKE LIFE EPIC
Founded in 1996, Firaxis Games is a world-renowned game development studio with an unwavering mission to “build games that stand the test of time”. The name Firaxis, a fusion of “fiery” and “axis,” communicates the company’s dynamic development process that results in the creation of ground breaking titles with unparalleled gameplay delivered to gamers around the world. Under the creative direction of industry legend Sid Meier, Firaxis has released dozens of hit games on multiple platforms and is recognized as an industry leader in game development.
Core Values
GAMEPLAY FIRST
Let gameplay drive decision making
BE ACCOUNTABLE
Deliver great work for the studio, the team & yourself
PEOPLE FOCUSED
Maintain an environment where people are happy
EMBRACE ENTHUSIASM
Find opportunities to contribute and collaborate
WORK SMART
Put effort where it pays off the most
What You Will Do
Firaxis is looking for an experienced, passionate, and empathetic Executive Producer (EP) to partner and collaborate closely with the Creative Director, overseeing the development of our highly valuable IP. In this role, you will lead and empower a large development team while supporting a healthy and collaborative team culture from the earliest stages of the project through launch and post launch.
The EP will have outstanding communication and teamwork skills and will oversee the roadmap, successful planning and execution for the IP and projects, translating the development needs into efficient pipelines and production strategies. Working with FXS leadership the EP will evaluate and provide input on new franchise opportunities, SKU and platform development, entry into new markets, licensing, and marketing opportunities that help drive franchise performance.
Pairing with the Creative Director the EP will be responsible for communicating the franchise and product vision to key stakeholders and team members as well as be a direct line of communication to our publisher. The EP will articulate and champion the vision to 3 rd parties, the media and other external parties as needed.
Responsibilities
- Accountable for product quality. Ensures that game features and functionality support creative pillars and strategic goals.
- Build and preserve a healthy and creative environment. Motivate and empower the team and help ensure they are reaching their goals collectively as a team and as individuals.
- Work with Firaxis leadership team to formulate strategies and operating plans for the development team and executes or adjusts the operating plans based on performance or changes in market plans
- Oversees and directs the work of the production team consisting of managing and review of direct reports/senior leads. Manages and mentors members of the production team.
- Assist in creating and sustaining related budgets and cost forecasts for each project.
- Partner with supporting functional teams, including marketing, publishing, licensing, finance, customer service and quality assurance
- Recognize and contribute to company goals and core values while bringing a collaborative and positive approach to all project related activities
- Create schedules with internal and external teams/team leads and with executive management
- Work with Development Director to manage projects to schedule, highlighting task priorities, departmental interdependencies, and resource issues/risks.
- Comprehend and strategize for all project deliverables, including internally and externally required build and marketing/PR needs.
- Detects production issues and conflicts between schedule, cost, and project scope targets and offering solutions.
Required Qualifications
- Typically has 10 or more years of experience with 5 or more years of management experience.
- Proven experience leading and shipping AAA PC and console games.
- Has managed production staff directly
- Has been a key contributor to multiple game projects
- A passion for games and game development
- Strong understanding of video game development and the video game market as a whole
- Ability to identify and recommend improvements to the development process
- Ability to negotiate and form consensus, define and drive action items.
- Demonstrable ability to develop complex project roadmaps and staffing plans
- Experience defining and implementing development processes
- Skilled at clearly and concisely communicating information across large, distributed teams as well as keeping external groups notified of change
- Skilled in JIRA, MS and Google Office Suites; Excel and Google Sheets in particular.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to mentor others
- Ability to handle high pressure situations and have strong prioritization skills
- Must be punctual, proactive, and have a strong work ethic
- Able to work in a team environment
Studio Legacy
Named World’s #1 Developer of the Year by Game Informer Magazine in 2012, Firaxis is very proud of its legacy of developing award-winning titles. We have won multiple BAFTAs, D.I.C.E Awards, Game of the Year titles, and category awards (from “Best Strategy Game” to “Best PC Game”) across our products.
Additionally, our company was also featured in SmartCEO’s “Best-Run Book” for company culture and praised for a focus on “family, fun and flexibility.” Firaxis was also named a finalist in SmartCEO’s Healthiest Company Awards for 2016.
Firaxis Games prides itself on maintaining a quality of life inside and outside the studio – when our team members are happy and healthy, creativity can thrive. We offer boot camp fitness and yoga classes at the office, a free gym with shower, regularly catered lunches and breakfasts, biweekly Friday Happy Hours, company events and parties, and a “FunZone” complete with billiards, foosball, video games, and tabletop gaming space. We are also a philanthropic studio and offer employees the chance to volunteer with local charities and nonprofits throughout the year.
Full time employees can also take advantage of Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, 401K retirement savings, a wellbeing initiative with the opportunity to earn cash rewards, an Employee Assistance Program, and paid time off and paid holidays.
SECURITY NOTICE – We have recently been made aware of increasing occurrences of bad actors posing as company HR personnel to gain information from “potential candidates”, in the form of job interviews and offers. These scams can be quite sophisticated and appear legitimate.
Please know that 2K never uses instant messaging apps to contact prospective employees or to conduct interviews.
If you believe you have been a victim of such a scam, you may fill out a complaint form at https://complaint.ic3.gov/ and https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ detailing as much as possible. We are taking these matters very seriously and apologize for any inconvenience.
Firaxis Games
Who We Are
MAKE LIFE EPIC
Founded in 1996, Firaxis Games is a world-renowned game development studio with an unwavering mission to “build games that stand the test of time”. The name Firaxis, a fusion of “fiery” and “axis,” communicates the company’s dynamic development process that results in the creation of ground breaking titles with unparalleled gameplay delivered to gamers around the world. Under the creative direction of industry legend Sid Meier, Firaxis has released dozens of hit games on multiple platforms and is recognized as an industry leader in game development.
Core Values
GAMEPLAY FIRST
Let gameplay drive decision making
BE ACCOUNTABLE
Deliver great work for the studio, the team & yourself
PEOPLE FOCUSED
Maintain an environment where people are happy
EMBRACE ENTHUSIASM
Find opportunities to contribute and collaborate
WORK SMART
Put effort where it pays off the most
What You Will Do
Firaxis is looking for an experienced, passionate, and empathetic Executive Producer (EP) to partner and collaborate closely with the Creative Director, overseeing the development of our highly valuable IP. In this role, you will lead and empower a large development team while supporting a healthy and collaborative team culture from the earliest stages of the project through launch and post launch.
The EP will have outstanding communication and teamwork skills and will oversee the roadmap, successful planning and execution for the IP and projects, translating the development needs into efficient pipelines and production strategies. Working with FXS leadership the EP will evaluate and provide input on new franchise opportunities, SKU and platform development, entry into new markets, licensing, and marketing opportunities that help drive franchise performance.
Pairing with the Creative Director the EP will be responsible for communicating the franchise and product vision to key stakeholders and team members as well as be a direct line of communication to our publisher. The EP will articulate and champion the vision to 3 rd parties, the media and other external parties as needed.
Responsibilities
- Accountable for product quality. Ensures that game features and functionality support creative pillars and strategic goals.
- Build and preserve a healthy and creative environment. Motivate and empower the team and help ensure they are reaching their goals collectively as a team and as individuals.
- Work with Firaxis leadership team to formulate strategies and operating plans for the development team and executes or adjusts the operating plans based on performance or changes in market plans
- Oversees and directs the work of the production team consisting of managing and review of direct reports/senior leads. Manages and mentors members of the production team.
- Assist in creating and sustaining related budgets and cost forecasts for each project.
- Partner with supporting functional teams, including marketing, publishing, licensing, finance, customer service and quality assurance
- Recognize and contribute to company goals and core values while bringing a collaborative and positive approach to all project related activities
- Create schedules with internal and external teams/team leads and with executive management
- Work with Development Director to manage projects to schedule, highlighting task priorities, departmental interdependencies, and resource issues/risks.
- Comprehend and strategize for all project deliverables, including internally and externally required build and marketing/PR needs.
- Detects production issues and conflicts between schedule, cost, and project scope targets and offering solutions.
Required Qualifications
- Typically has 10 or more years of experience with 5 or more years of management experience.
- Proven experience leading and shipping AAA PC and console games.
- Has managed production staff directly
- Has been a key contributor to multiple game projects
- A passion for games and game development
- Strong understanding of video game development and the video game market as a whole
- Ability to identify and recommend improvements to the development process
- Ability to negotiate and form consensus, define and drive action items.
- Demonstrable ability to develop complex project roadmaps and staffing plans
- Experience defining and implementing development processes
- Skilled at clearly and concisely communicating information across large, distributed teams as well as keeping external groups notified of change
- Skilled in JIRA, MS and Google Office Suites; Excel and Google Sheets in particular.
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to mentor others
- Ability to handle high pressure situations and have strong prioritization skills
- Must be punctual, proactive, and have a strong work ethic
- Able to work in a team environment
Studio Legacy
Named World’s #1 Developer of the Year by Game Informer Magazine in 2012, Firaxis is very proud of its legacy of developing award-winning titles. We have won multiple BAFTAs, D.I.C.E Awards, Game of the Year titles, and category awards (from “Best Strategy Game” to “Best PC Game”) across our products.
Additionally, our company was also featured in SmartCEO’s “Best-Run Book” for company culture and praised for a focus on “family, fun and flexibility.” Firaxis was also named a finalist in SmartCEO’s Healthiest Company Awards for 2016.
Firaxis Games prides itself on maintaining a quality of life inside and outside the studio – when our team members are happy and healthy, creativity can thrive. We offer boot camp fitness and yoga classes at the office, a free gym with shower, regularly catered lunches and breakfasts, biweekly Friday Happy Hours, company events and parties, and a “FunZone” complete with billiards, foosball, video games, and tabletop gaming space. We are also a philanthropic studio and offer employees the chance to volunteer with local charities and nonprofits throughout the year.
Full time employees can also take advantage of Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, 401K retirement savings, a wellbeing initiative with the opportunity to earn cash rewards, an Employee Assistance Program, and paid time off and paid holidays.
SECURITY NOTICE – We have recently been made aware of increasing occurrences of bad actors posing as company HR personnel to gain information from “potential candidates”, in the form of job interviews and offers. These scams can be quite sophisticated and appear legitimate.
Please know that 2K never uses instant messaging apps to contact prospective employees or to conduct interviews.
If you believe you have been a victim of such a scam, you may fill out a complaint form at https://complaint.ic3.gov/ and https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ detailing as much as possible. We are taking these matters very seriously and apologize for any inconvenience.
Firaxis Games