Thought Pennies Entertainment is a Role-Playing Game studio creating games focused on emotional storytelling. We celebrate diverse experiences and backgrounds as well as a passionate, hands-on, technically savvy approach to game development. We are fully remote.

Audio is an emotional thread woven through the entire game experience. Between dramatic cinematic moments, environmental vibes, and adrenaline-pumping combat, audio elevates the emotions of the rest of the experience. The audio lead will be working on sound direction and systemic integrations to help make every moment come alive working with the Thought Pennies development team and some of the best talent around the world to create the aural landscapes, inclusive of VO, sound effects and music usage. This role reports directly to the Game Director and will work independently with internal and external development groups.

What you do:

• Be the primary owner of all audio systems and content (music, voice, sound effects).
• Work closely with the studio and direct external partners to ensure audio carries a cohesive quality and are on-style, at-quality, and on-brand.
• Build systemic solutions for quick iterations across all game experiences.
• Value schedule and logistics to building the most efficient pipeline possible. Develop pipelines to ensure assets are made efficiently and play well with other content.
• Provide tools, guidelines and and best practices for all team members to understand audio implementation.
• Be the champion and police of best audio practices. Validate audio implementation and ensure intended in-engine use.
• Provide critical feedback (quantitative as well as qualitative) to the creative process.
• Contribute to a studio culture committed to craft, collaboration, and empowerment.

What you bring:

• Experience with audio development, preferably on Unreal Engine titles, with a focus on audio pipelines.
• A robust understanding of game engine (e.g., Unreal 5) pipelines as pertains to authoring, implementation, in-game dynamics, and technical performance.
• Experience directing and overseeing other artists, including freelancers and vendors.
• Deep understanding of efficient audio practices and pipelines that value supporting large amounts of desperate content.
• Understanding of the CRPG genre expectations and willingness to engage with the team.
• A great creative ear that is able to deliver the vision of the game, held by the Creative Director.
• A willingness to do all types of jobs, from high level vision docs to systemic design docs to low level audio production in order to deliver the intended experience.
• Experience creatively directing sound in both linear and non-linear formats.
• A solid grip on fantasy aesthetics and dramatic storytelling.
• You enjoy collaboration, leading with empathy, and the giving and taking of feedback.

Plus if you have it:

• Deep expertise with contemporary audio implementation within Unreal 5 (Metasounds).
• Prior experience developing RPGs.
• Prior experience with procedural authoring techniques.
• Wide sound culture chops (theater, film, music, games).
• Good experiences collaborating with external partners, composers, VO directors and outsourcing.

Location: Remote (US or Canada)