Job description

PitStop Productions are looking for highly-motivated Sound Designers to join their Sound Design team of 20+ in our studios in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

The successful candidate will work within smaller teams on a variety of AAA to indie projects, and be given responsibility for their own project to become a noteworthy contributor.

They will also have the opportunity to creatively contribute to the many other titles we have in production. All while being supported by 50+ audio professionals in all departments at PitStop such as Sound Design, Music, Voice and Performance Capture.

Recently completed titles include: Horizon Call of The Mountain, Returnal: Ascension, Little Nightmares II: Enhanced Edition, and the latest Minecraft Dungeons expansion packs.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who loves working with fellow audio professionals, and is looking to further hone their craft of Sound Design to influence and create AAA audio in video games.

• We are an independent audio production team running multiple projects worldwide

• Over the past 25 years, we have grown our reputation and team, making us renowned for delivering reliably high-quality work

• We have a friendly and supportive team, who have built up a culture of really looking out for each other

• We encourage collaborative working and sharing of skill sets across all levels
• You will have the freedom and security to fulfil your true potential
• This position gives the opportunity to widen and vary your audio skills, along with making a meaningful impact on a range of notable titles
• Your path is unlimited! The possibilities to advance and further your career are a certainty if you are passionate about game audio and love being part of a creative team

• Our location is ideal for either a city or country lifestyle

• Create and implement a wide range of high quality sound effects, conceptualising and deciding on sound direction, both aesthetic and technical requirements

• Understand the needs of the project to plan and execute high quality sound design throughout development

• Be a driving force on the project, utilising your experience to guide and inspire other members of the team

• Expertly describe technical behaviour and problems when communicating with external code/design/animation teams

• Problem solve and devise creative solutions to the complex challenges which can arise within interactive audio

• Mix and balance all types of media (linear / individual assets / in game) to a high standard

• Profiling and performance optimisation
• Bug fixing

Essential

• Strong creative sound design skills
• A good understanding of any of the following game engines and audio middleware; Unreal/Unity/FMOD/Wwise.

• Proven experience to implement a diverse range of sound effects to a high standard, while maintaining optimisation principles

• Confident communication and interpersonal skills with a positive team attitude

• Expert knowledge of using industry standard DAWs, audio editing tools, and audio plugins. Specifically REAPER as our DAW of choice but otherwise; Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Ableton etc…

• Demonstrate a proven reliability with time management and an understanding of the importance of meeting self-set and externally set targets

• Efficient organisational skills when planning and tracking projects

• Broad knowledge of studio and field recording techniques

Desirable

• Full cycle development experience working on a AAA title in the games industry
• Experience with designing and implementing bespoke interactive sound systems

• Visual scripting experience, such as creating and using blueprints

• BA/BSc degree in audio production/sound design or equivalent experience

• Good proficiency in using Microsoft Excel and Google Docs
• Experience in using version control software and VPNs

• Good experience with creating linear audio, such as trailers, short movies, etc…

• Relocation package

• Bonus schemes
• Referral fee commission scheme

• Generous holiday allowance

• Enhanced sick pay

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

• Flexible working policy including some time WFH

• Personalised career development

• Company funded social events / nights out / meals with the team

• Regular games nights / tournaments

• Access to acoustically treated recording studios / creative spaces outside of studio hours

• Free entry to many industry events

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary depending on their skills and experience.

This position will be held at our South Yorkshire studios in Dodworth, Barnsley or our new creative space in Barnsley town centre, this can be discussed at the interview stage.

Please ensure you are willing to commute or relocate in order to attend the office.

We’re an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.

How to apply

Please email your CV and a short covering letter to: jobs@pitstopproductions.co.uk

Ensuring the email subject is ‘Sound Designer‘.

Your CV + covering letter should include any education, work experience and skills that are relevant to the advertised role. As a well as a link to the following:

1) Creative showreel

This should be a video around 2 minutes in length that showcases your skills and style as a creative. Please use a mix of in-game and linear audio examples, ensuring the sound suitably fits the visuals and overall shows good mixing skills.

2) Technical showreel

This should show your skills and knowledge in middleware/game engines. Ideally this should also include narration explaining any technical elements, giving a breakdown of techniques or features used. Ensuring enthusiasm for interesting implementation ideas, with contextual descriptions of what you did for each example.

Job description

This project aims to create a sound map (sonification) indicating areas and times when women feel harassed or intimidated as well as where and when they feel happy and safe. Harassment and intimidation are an everyday experience for women in public places and are believed to be vastly under reported. A 2021 UN Women UK survey found that 71% of women have experienced sexual harassment in a public space [APPG, 2021]. It also showed that 95% of women who experienced sexual harassment did not report these incidents. The data related to harassment and intimidation of women in public spaces is intrinsically linked to location, time of day, day of the week as well as season of the year.

Sonification can be defined as auditory presention of data in a meaningful manner [Kramer, et. al., 2010]. In order to allow others to empathise, drive social change and improve shared spaces for all citizens soundscapes shall be developed [Fiebig, et.al., 2020]. The use of mixed reality (MR) and similar media can be effective in communicating the emotional aspects of harassment and intimidation for women [Dirin, et. al., 2018]. Proposed technologies may include GPS, Apple / Google Maps and web enabled applications, which can be used in situ., to plan ahead, or educate the wider public.

Acquiring anonymous data will be required, building on experiences and feedback from those affected by harassment and intimidation. Developing and strengthening collaborative relationships with partners within government, business and third sector will ensure that relevant data is gathered in a sensitive and timely manner. Studies will be undertaken to identify compelling sonification mappings for the data set.

The use of procedural audio sound models would allow users to interact with the data, changing parameters (for example, time of day) in real-time to produce immediate changes in the sonification. Suitable user interfaces will be developed to identify the most appropriate method users can interact with the sonification, gain maximum understanding of the data and communicate its impact upon those affected.

Applications are invited from individuals who are motivated in supporting women’s safety and helping to create safer public spaces for all citizens.

Academic qualifications

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements ideally in Sound Design or a closely related discipline with a good fundamental knowledge of computer science and data management.

English language requirement

IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Application process

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor Dr Rod Selfridge at R.Selfridge@napier.ac.uk to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application.

The application must include:

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded) with the details about:

• Background and motivation of the project. The motivation must be supported by relevant literature. You can discuss also the applications you expect for the project results.
• Research questions or objectives.
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods
• List of references

Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project.

Recent and complete curriculum vitae.

Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), the form can be downloaded here.

Documents proving your qualifications and your skills.

Applications can be submitted here. To be considered, the application must use:

• “SCEBE0523” as project code.
• the advertised title as project title

All applications must be received by 21st May 2023 and include the required documents. Applicants who have not been contacted by 1 month later should assume that they have been unsuccessful.

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References

All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for UN Women. Prevalence and reporting of sexual harassment in UK public spaces, (2021) Retrieved from https://www.unwomenuk.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/APPG-UN-Women-Sexual-Harassment-Report_Updated.pdf
Dirin, A., & Laine, T. H. (2018). User experience in mobile augmented reality: emotions, challenges, opportunities and best practices. Computers, 7(2), 33.
Fiebig, A., Jordan, P., & Moshona, C. C. (2020). Assessments of acoustic environments by emotions–the application of emotion theory in soundscape. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 573041.
Hermann, T. Hunt, A. Neuhoff, J.G., (Eds), (2011). The Sonification Handbook. Logos Verlag Berlin – Academic Publications in Science and Humanities.
Creating safe and empowering public spaces with women and girls. (accessed 26th April 2023) Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/creating-safe-public-spaces
Kramer, G., Walker, B., Bonebright, T., Cook, P., Flowers, J. H., Miner, N., & Neuhoff, J. (2010). Sonification report: Status of the field and research agenda.
Thulin, S. (2018) Sound maps matter: expanding cartophony, Social & Cultural Geography, 19:2, 192-210, DOI: 10.1080/14649365.2016.1266028
UK Government Equalities Office, 2020 Sexual Harassment Survey. (2020) retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1002873/2021-07-12_Sexual_Harassment_Report_FINAL.pdf
YouGov / BBC Poll. Results Women’s Safety Survey (2022) Retrieved from https://docs.cdn.yougov.com/utjogn9tax/BBC_WomensSafety_220211_W%281%29.pdf.

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced game audio programmer to join our team. The ideal candidate for this position will be responsible for the development and implementation of all audio-related systems and features that enhance the overall gameplay experience of our video games.

Responsibilities

• Developing, testing, and maintaining all aspects related to audio part of the game

• Collaborating with audio team to design and implement innovative audio systems

• Implementing SFX into the game world in collaboration with audio designers

• Creating custom middleware or engine tools as needed to support sound design workflows

• Optimizing game engine audio processing performance on various platforms

• Understanding of technical constraints and trade-offs while exploring new audio technologies to creatively overcome obstacles

Requirements:

• Proficiency with C++ and C# programming languages

• Experience with Fmod and Wwise audio middlewares

• Familiarity with DSP techniques used in video games

Pluses:

• Experience with modern production DAWs, such as Reaper

• Basic knowledge of frontend libraries like QT or ImGui

• Experience with popular game engines

• Comfortable with Agile methodologies

• Fluency in both spoken and written English

Job description
The Sound Designer (NOC 52113) will be responsible for creating engaging and detailed sound design for various elements of the game, including sound design for levels, weapons, A.I., U.I., cinematics, animations, marketing and other gameplay events. This position will be part of the audio team. This incumbent will possess background in sound design for the video games industry, exceptional communication skills in written, visual and verbal forms, and excellent knowledge of the video game industry. Strong ability to take constructive criticism while selling your ideas is critical. Giving direction will be as important as taking it and you must be able to drive implementation of your ideas. We need a team player who values the best ideas regardless of where they come from to create a clear picture of how they fit in the larger vision of the game. An ideal candidate will also be able to provide examples of their design work and communication skills.

TERM OF EMPLOYMENT
Permanent and full time (40 hours per week).

LANGUAGE OF WORK
English.

LOCATION OF WORK
250 York Street, Suite 100, London, Ontario N6A 6K2 Canada.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create engaging and detailed sound design for various elements of the game. This includes sound design for levels, weapons, A.I., U.I, cinematics, animations, marketing, and other gameplay events. Must be comfortable creating sound design under the direction of Senior Sound Designers and Audio Director.
• Implement sound design and other audio into the game engine. Ability to work with audio engine tools to achieve the desired audio outcome in game.
• Record Foley and gather field recordings for use in the video games.
• Record, design, and edit voices and voice overs for use in the video games.
• Find and fix audio related bugs.
• Maintain a familiarity with basic lua scripting as it pertains to game audio.
• Maintain an appropriate game audio mix at all times, on all platforms (PC, PS5, Xbox X, Switch).
• Maintain an audio program skill set with regards to current industry standards (Pro Tools, Reaper, plugins, etc.).
• Mentor Junior Sound Designers and be a self-starter.
• Continually improve the game audio engine, and work with audio programmer on new features and fixes.
• Possess an intermediate knowledge of audio recording and editing techniques.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum two years of relevant work experience as a sound designer or similar role in the video game industry.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully creating engaging and detailed sound design for various elements of the game.
• Knowledge of audio recording and editing techniques.
• Experience in creating sound design with audio programs, such as Pro Tools, Reaper, Plugins, etc.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent team work skills.
• Proven ability to document and communicate design ideas.
• Excellent knowledge of the video game industry.
• Be a driven individual who has a proven track record of delivering projects on time.
• Passion for world-class audio.
• A portfolio that demonstrates excellent sound design skills and above average ability to create sound design for a state of the art next-generation game engine.
• Minimum college diploma in recording engineering, audiovisual technology or a related field.

WAGE

The wage range for the Sound Designer (NOC 52113) position is between CAD $65,500 and CAD $80,000 per year, based on work experience and qualifications.

BENEFITS
Digital Extremes provide a competitive benefits package, including the following:

• Extended healthcare.
• Two weeks of paid vacation per year.
• Discretionary profit sharing bonus, based on meeting the company’s financial targets and individual performance.
• RRSP matching plan.

ABOUT DIGITAL EXTREMES

Founded in 1993 by James Schmalz, Digital Extremes Ltd. ranks as one of the world’s top independent video game development studios. Originating with the co-creative of Epic Games’ multi-million unit selling Unreal® franchise including Unreal and Unreal Tournament, Digital Extremes went on to develop Dark Section®, BioShock® for the PlayStation®3, the BioShock 2 multiplayer campaign, and The Darkness® II.

The studio has reached its greatest critical and commercial success with the free-to-play action game, Warframe®, boasting a global community of 50 million registered players on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

For more information about Digital Extremes, visit www.digitalextremes.com. To sign up for Warframe, visit www.warframe.com.

WHY WORK AT DIGITAL EXTREMES

Our culture is centered on providing great opportunities to our employees so that everyone feels they are making a meaningful impact. Developing new and existing clients is our long-term focus. We are honored that our work environment has been consistently recognized as one of “Canada’s Top 100 Employers”. We summon you to join our elite team!

The rewards of a career with Digital Extremes include:

• Competitive salary with bonus opportunities
• Excellent benefits and paid time off
• Matching RRSP plan
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Virtual access to Dialogue, our mental wellness and healthcare services app
• Professional development and career support
• Work-life balance fitness subsidies
• Be part of “Giving Back” through a multitude of fundraising venues at Digital Extremes
• Virtual events such as team building exercises, Game night, Live band performances, Adult and separate children’s holiday and summer parties for global teams!

JOIN US

Digital Extremes is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome and encourage applications from people disabilities. Accommodation are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment process. We thank you for your interest, however, only those candidates selected for the next steps in the hiring process will be contacted.

HOW TO APPLY

Please click “Apply Now” below to begin the application process. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Digital Extremes Ltd.
250 York Street, Suite 100
London, Ontario N6A 6K2 Canada
Tel: 519-657-4260
Fax: 519-471-9972
Email: careers@digitalextremes.com