Audio Lead

At Gardens Interactive, we believe that immersive gameplay is the heartbeat of every great game. Our mission is to connect people through the universal power of play by fostering meaningful relationships, celebrating artistry, and supporting vibrant, inclusive communities. We are committed to building magical, shared, and deeply social experiences that bring players together, and we know that every great world needs its heartbeat: the sounds, voices, and music that breathe life into the fantasy and immerse players fully in the experience.

As an Audio Lead at Gardens, you will …

Bring our world to life with immersive, emotionally resonant audio. You will capture original sounds and design audio effects while working with Unreal Engine. We are looking for someone to craft audio that deepens player connection, supports gameplay, and enhances storytelling

A Day In The Life:

• Collaborate closely with designers, engineers, and artists to create cohesive, player-centered experiences.
• Plan for, hire and supervise any external audio partners, talents and vendors
• Test and refine audio systems, ensuring balance and polish across all aspects of the game.
• Record and design unique sound effects for gameplay, environments, and characters.
• Compose and arrange soundscape that matches and elevates the emotional tone of the game.
• Partner with engineering to define and tune how audio is implemented in the game.
• Implement audio assets into Unreal Engine using Wwise.

You will:

• Own the end-to-end audio pipeline: field recording, design, editing, composition, and in-engine implementation.
• Build and maintain flexible audio systems in Unreal Engine that can scale with evolving gameplay needs.
• Partner with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate audio seamlessly into design and technical workflows.
• Establish audio best practices and contribute to documentation for sustainable workflows.
• Playtest frequently, identifying opportunities for audio to enhance clarity, immersion, and player emotion.
• Coordinate and supervise all contract work related to audio

You Bring:

• Strong knowledge of Wwise and Unreal Engine.
• A bit of scrappiness to your problem solving befitting a small studio
• Proven ability to record, design, and edit original sound effects using field recording equipment and DAWs.
• Demonstrated experience working with musicians that supports narrative and gameplay.
• Proficiency with industry-standard audio software, plugins, and tools for sound design and music production.
• Ability to manage time effectively while working in a remote, highly collaborative environment.

Bonus Points:

• Experience building adaptive or interactive music systems.
• Familiarity with spatial audio, ambisonics, or VR/AR soundscapes.
• Background working on online multiplayer or networked game experiences.
• Experience contributing audio to games released on multiple platforms (PC and Console), with an understanding of platform-specific requirements and optimization.

This role reports to the Chief of Staff.

Our Interview Process:

(all interviews are 1 hour video calls on Google Meet unless otherwise noted)

• Step 1: Talent Lead - Introductory Call
• Step 2: HIring Manager - Domain Interview
• Step 3: Two Gardeners of Same Discipline - Craft Interview
• Step 4: Two Gardeners of Other Discipline - Studio Values Interview

Please Note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada. Gardens cannot assist with work authorizations or work visas. The applicant must also be willing to work within North America time zones.

Who We Are

We're a game studio founded by the creators behind titles such as Journey, What Remains of Edith Finch, Blaseball, Dustforce, Ashen, Guild Wars 2, Firewatch, and more Our name reflects our mission: to cultivate rich, immersive worlds that foster meaningful connections and lasting friendships. We believe in creating lush, living environments where players can engage in surprising multiplayer experiences and grow together with the support of their communities.

Our commitment to inclusivity and transparency drives us to create a work environment where every voice is heard and valued. We are a fully distributed and remote studio. We offer competitive pay, stock options, flexible non-accrual paid time off, and comprehensive benefits, including full medical, vision, dental, and 401k contributions.

We're excited to be developing our flagship title - a shared 3D fantasy adventure inspired by our favorite online gaming memories. This is the world we're passionate about building and the world we want to experience every day.

Gardens Offers:

• Competitive Salaries and Pay Transparency
• Stock Options
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage (100% for Individuals and 90% for Dependents)
• Life Insurance, Short Term & Long Term Disability, and numerous other benefits
• 401k contributions (USA) / RRSP plan + DPSP contributions (Canada)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Biannual Company Retreats
• Continued Education Allowance
• A fully-distributed studio across North American Timezones (US & Canada)

Benefits and perks listed may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Gardens and the country in which you work.

Encouragement:

We believe that diverse perspectives make our team stronger and our games better. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. Studies show that marginalized groups, especially those of women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every criterion. At Gardens Interactive, we value potential, passion, and a willingness to grow. We hope you will join us in shaping the future of gaming.

Compensation Range: $146K - $178K