Audio Engineer

At Crooked, we believe the answer to a rising authoritarian movement is a democratic movement powerful enough to fight it and (fingers crossed) defeat it. That means using all the tools at our disposal as a media company to help build a massive, diverse coalition united behind a core set of democratic values: freedom, equality, compassion, and the rule of law.

Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us—one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. We are a media network that showcases stories, voices, and opportunities for activism that inform, entertain, and inspire action, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world.

Job Summary:

Crooked is hiring for an Audio Engineer on the Audio department reporting to the Associate Director, Production. This role will focus on recording, assembling, and mixing our podcasts. The ideal candidate is a team player and enjoys a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, where you are often jumping from task to task. Interest in comedy and helping people understand the news is also a plus!

This role is based on-site (Mon-Fri) in our Los Angeles office, with a schedule that requires a mix of days running from 9am-5:30pm or 12pm-8:30pm, and may be asked to travel from time to time. We are ideally looking for Los Angeles based candidates, or candidates willing to relocate before the start date. 

How You’ll Spend Your Time:

• Setting up and testing sound equipment before each recording


• Running recording sessions (both remote and in studio) 


• Mixing sessions to proper loudness specs, sourcing and placing music on deadline


• Resolving technical issues when they arise


• Editing, mixing and sound designing other audio (promos, ads, etc.) as assigned


• Collaborating with producers, videographers, and other team members

This job description provides a summary of how you’ll spend your time but is nowhere near exhaustive, so other duties may be assigned over time. 

What You’ll Bring To The Table:

• 3+ years experience with sound editing and recording equipment


• Technical expertise in sound engineering techniques in studio and live sound environments


• Expertise in ProTools and a working knowledge of other audio software and hardware like iZotope RX suite, Totalmix, RME products


• Expertise in recording using Zoom and Riverside


• Understanding of field recording gear such as Shure MV7, Zoom H4N and Zoom Podtrack P4


• Experience mixing live sound. Experience mixing variety or comedy shows a plus.


• Experience setting up and tearing down sound stage audio and recording equipment in  live audience environments is a plus


• Experience mixing variety shows for live audience and podcast recording simultaneously is a plus


• Creativity in both the style of your mixing and in solving production problems


• A team player with excellent communication skills


• A self-motivated, proactive, and nice attitude


• Punctual, accountable, and easily reachable during work hours


• Ability to lift 40 lbs

Pay and Perks: 

This position is covered under the Writers Guild of America East Collective Bargaining Agreement and the salary for this role is $90,000.

In addition to your salary, we also offer full-time employees excellent benefits, including:

• Paid healthcare


• 401k match 


• Generous vacation and paid leave including, sick, bereavement, pregnancy loss, and disability leaves


• 20 weeks of paid parental leave


• Commuter reimbursement or paid parking


• Communications stipend 


• Professional development opportunities


• Did we also mention our offices are closed at the end of the year? 

About Us

We welcome everyone—as an inclusive workplace, we invite all our employees to bring their authentic, whole selves to work. Our mission and intent is to encourage people from every nation, race/ethnicity, belief, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, and culture to feel respected and valued for their unique contributions to our company.

We approach our work courageously, adapt and improve constantly, and celebrate the wins big and small. We cultivate a culture of creativity and expression at Crooked Media. We hire the best talent, ensure they have the tools and training they need, and set them free. If you have a high degree of ownership and are driven to excel, you’ll fit right in. 

That’s it. End of mission.