Audio Engineer

ABOUT M&C SAATCHI WORLD SERVICES M&C Saatchi World Services is a full-service marketing company renowned for using commercial advertising to solve the world’s toughest challenges. World Services is a specialty branch of M&C Saatchi Group, and we provide strategic communications, behavior change, and marketing support to Public Sector clients with special emphasis on the US Federal Government and State, Local, Tribal, & Territorial leaders. THE ROLE M&C Saatchi World Services US is seeking a highly skilled Audio Engineer to deliver exceptional audio experiences that support strategic communications, outreach, and engagement initiatives across a diverse portfolio of federal programs. Working across podcasts, videos, webinars, virtual events, executive communications, interviews, and multimedia storytelling products, you will oversee the technical and creative aspects of audio production, from recording and live production support through to editing, mixing, mastering, sound design, and final delivery. Partnering closely with producers, videographers, editors, communications teams, and creative specialists, you will transform raw recordings into polished, engaging content that enhances audience understanding, audience engagement, and mission impact. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong creative instincts and exceptional attention to detail. They are comfortable working across multiple formats and recording environments, troubleshooting complex audio challenges, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver professional-quality productions that support mission objectives and audience needs. This is a remote position supporting a federal client environment and may require occasional travel for on-site recording and production support. This is a hybrid role; however, the ideal candidate will live in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. Key Responsibilities Provide end-to-end audio engineering services, including recording, editing, mixing, mastering, restoration, and final delivery. Support the production of podcasts, videos, webinars, virtual events, interviews, executive communications, and multimedia storytelling initiatives. Manage recording sessions across studio, remote, live, and hybrid environments, ensuring optimal sound quality and production standards. Set up, operate, and maintain microphones, mixers, digital interfaces, recording systems, and audio processing equipment. Perform audio cleanup, noise reduction, level balancing, equalization, compression, mastering, and sound restoration to ensure professional-quality outputs. Integrate music, sound effects, transitions, voiceovers, and other audio elements that enhance storytelling and audience engagement. Advise producers and creatives on recording approaches, sound design and audio treatments that strengthen storytelling and audience engagement. Collaborate with producers, videographers, editors, and communications teams to ensure audio aligns with creative direction and overall communications objectives. Support live and virtual events by providing technical audio expertise, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring seamless execution. Prepare final audio deliverables for publishing, streaming, broadcast, multimedia integration, and digital distribution. Ensure all audio products meet accessibility requirements, including transcript alignment and applicable compliance standards. Maintain organized audio libraries, production documentation, naming conventions, templates, and asset management processes. Contribute to the continuous improvement of production workflows, audio standards, and technical best practices. Stay current on emerging audio technologies, AI-enabled production tools, recording techniques, and evolving industry trends. Key Attributes Experience delivering professional audio engineering, sound design, recording, or post-production services within a media, communications, broadcast, podcast, or multimedia environment. Strong understanding of audio production workflows across podcasts, video productions, webinars, live events, and digital content platforms. Proficiency with industry-standard audio production tools, including Adobe Audition, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Audacity, or comparable software. Strong creative judgement, with a strong ear for quality, storytelling and the details that distinguish good work from great work. Sound judgement in using AI-enabled production tools to accelerate workflows, while maintaining creative quality, technical excellence and audio integrity. Recognize where AI tools add value and where human creativity, storytelling and craft remain essential. Curious about emerging technologies and committed to continuously evolving production workflows as AI reshapes creative production. Expertise in audio mixing, mastering, sound restoration, equalization, compression, noise reduction, and overall sound optimization. Strong understanding of recording environments, microphone selection, placement techniques, acoustics, and audio capture best practices. Experience supporting integrated multimedia productions and collaborating with producers, editors, videographers, and creative teams. Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly resolve technical issues in live and recorded environments. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and production priorities simultaneously. Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality audio experiences. Excellent communication and collaboration skills when working across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder groups. Experience supporting federal government, public affairs, international development, or mission-driven communications programs is preferred. Familiarity with video production workflows, multimedia publishing platforms, and integrated content development is preferred. Experience supporting remote recording environments, multi-speaker productions, and hybrid event formats is preferred. Location: Hybrid, able to commute regularly to Washington DC office spaces. Language Requirements: Fluent written and spoken English required. Educational Requirements: BA/BS in Audio Engineering, Sound Design, Music Production, Digital Media, Broadcast Production, or a related field preferred. Eligibility Requirements U.S. Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen (required by government contract). Clearance Eligibility: Must be able and willing to obtain a U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance immediately upon employment. Background Screening: Must be willing to submit to a rigorous federal background investigation, which includes an in-depth review of personal finances, criminal history, employment history, and drug use. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE Work on impactful programs supporting federal and defense-related initiatives. Collaborate with high-performing cross-functional teams across communications, digital and analytics disciplines. Opportunity to shape strategic public engagement initiatives at enterprise scale. Flexible hybrid working environment. Exposure to complex, mission-driven stakeholder engagement challenges. Career development opportunities within a fast-growing global organization. WHAT YOU GET We offer a competitive salary and a benefits package designed to support your health, family life, financial wellbeing, and growth. The salary range provided reflects the anticipated compensation for this role across our Washington, DC and New York locations. Actual starting salary will be determined based on geographic location, relevant experience, skills, and other job-related factors. Family & parental support 12 weeks’ full pay for Primary Carers and 6 weeks for Secondary Carers (after one year of service; return requirements apply for subsequent leave) Applies to birth, adoption, and surrogacy Up to 10 days’ paid fertility leave per year (5 per cycle) 2 days’ paid leave for new grandparents $2,500 annual interest-free parental loan $6,000 interest-free fertility treatment loan Healthcare & wellbeing Choice of three medical plans (HSA at $0 cost; EPO 75% employer funded; PPO 65% employer funded) 70% employer-funded dental and vision coverage Generous paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, including an office closure between Christmas & New Year's Gym membership reimbursement and/or Wellhub subscription 401(k) with 4% employer match 24/7 mental health support through Self Space Social events, happy hours, professional development trainings, etc. Work from anywhere for up to 2 weeks per year (subject to approval) Culture & development $300 annual cultural stimulation allowance (accrued monthly; available after 90 days) Weekly Thursday happy hour Mentorship and Buddy programs #J-18808-Ljbffr