Resident Sound Designer & Manager of Audio

At Zach, we believe in the power of light—to illuminate new ideas, spark imagination, and bring people together. As Austin’s leading professional producing theater, we create vibrant, intimate theater experiences that engage, inspire, and connect our community.

The Resident Sound Designer & Manager of Audio acts as the resident Sound Designer and supervisor of the Audio Department at Zach, providing leadership to all full-time, part-time, and contract employees in the on-time, on-budget execution of production audio needs, serving as designer for Zach Mainstage, Family Series, and Events as well as supporting guest sound designers as directed. The Resident Sound Designer & Manager of Audio is a significant member of the Production team at Zach developing, producing, and maintaining an exceptional level of artistic and aesthetic quality in all Zach Productions.

This critical role ensures the maintenance of audio equipment and inventory, coordinating with external designers, directors, musical directors, artists, and musicians in the fulfillment of production needs. As Resident Sound Designer, this role is responsible for the configuration of each venue’s sound system including the placement and designation of microphones, monitors, loudspeakers, control hardware, and production specific effects and musician support.

Additionally, the Resident Sound Designer & Manager of Audio works closely with the Manager of Lighting/Video, Stage Operations Supervisor, and General Manager to support non-production use of Zach facilities and rehearsal spaces for special events, rentals, development events, and meetings.

• Hires, mentors, and supervises all full-time, part-time, and overhire audio personnel for each production; providing performance feedback, mentorship and staff development, and payroll approvals
• Serves as Resident Sound Designer for Zach Mainstage and Family series productions as well as special events and other projects as assigned by the Artistic Director and Director of Production each season
• Collaborates with Directors, Designers, Director of Production, rental houses, and other suppliers to achieve desired designs within designated budgets
• Maintains inventory and purchases of all departmental equipment
• Oversees the installation and use of both wired and wireless clear-com systems
• Collaborates with contributing departments to ensure department needs are met for all events
• Builds, layers, and edits sound cues and music quickly in collaboration with the Director and other members of the Production Team
• Sources all music and sound effects for each production
• In charge of all multi-track recording required for each production and event
• Responsible for tracking all audio budgets and ordering of supplies for each production
• In charge of the programming of digital audio consoles and Qlab programming for all events and productions
• Collaborates with the Technical Director, Manager of Lighting/Video, and Stage Operations Supervisor to solve problems that bridge departments, including hangchart development and cable paths on deck
• Attend all required designer runs, technical rehearsals, previews, and production meetings until released by the Director of Production.
• Assists the education department in the execution of sound designs and the hiring of sound board operators
• Helps to maintain relationships with universities and other Regional companies in order to develop the audio overhire pool
• Supports internal departments in the scheduling, logistics, and technical requirements of special events and rentals

• 3+ years of experience supervising a department of technicians and overhire crews with preference in a regional or touring house under AEA contracts, and a Bachelors in Sound Engineering or comparable professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience overseeing departmental budgets, forecasts, and other budgetary requirements, primarily in a producing theater or company
• Experience with Crestron Control Systems, Yamaha consoles, namely CL5, Aviom, and Shure equipment
• Extensive experience in sound and audio programming and…