Principal Audio Engineer

The NZSO is seeking a seasoned Principal Audio Engineer to join the team launching a landmark new recording venue in February 2027.

Located in the refurbished Wellington Town Hall, NZSO Studios will feature a purpose built dynamic suite of spaces—from the iconic 1,500-seat Adam Auditorium, celebrated for its world‑class acoustics, to purpose‑built box‑in‑box studios—all supported by state‑of‑the‑art production and video facilities.

The candidate must demonstrate extensive end‑to‑end experience in both screen scoring projects and symphonic recording. The NZSO Studios Principal Audio Engineer will work independently on small‑scale projects, lead a team of engineers and operators for large scale and complex projects, and enable guest engineers and producers. The Principal Audio Engineer will work with the NZSO production and artistic staff to provide a seamless experience for recording projects and clients. Given this, the Principal Audio Engineer will possess excellent planning and relationship management expertise, as well as a collaborative work ethic. She / he ensures the final product meets the client’s budgetary and creative expectations, and ensures that their experience working with the NZSO is exceptional.

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national orchestra, an autonomous Crown entity recognised as an outstanding orchestra of international stature. It performs 60 concerts each year in more than 20 different communities across New Zealand, as well as providing multiple opportunities for people of all ages to learn and engage with the orchestra.

The NZSO regularly records for movie scores such as A Minecraft Movie, Saving Bikini Bottom : The Sandy Cheeks Movie, Wish Dragon, Mortal Engines, Krampus, and the Hobbit amongst others. The Orchestra also records on the Recording Aotearoa workstream – offering opportunities for New Zealand composers and artists to have their work recorded by an orchestra of international quality, removing financial and logistical barriers for local artists. Local artists who have recorded with the NZSO include Hollie Smith, the Phoenix Foundation, Gareth Farr, and Claire Cowan. The recording of Claire Cowan’s ballet score for Hansel and Gretel won the 2021 Aotearoa Music Award for Best Classical Album.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate :

• Extensive experience (minimum 7+ years) as an Audio Engineer and scoring stage manager in a professional studio setting, leading a range of projects including large ensemble and orchestral recordings, including scoring for film and games.
• Demonstrable experience of complex recording projects requiring high‑speed workflows and multiple stakeholder management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• High attention to detail and strong creative vision that can successfully integrate client and artist input.
• Ability and interest to build enduring professional relationships.
• Ability and interest in recording live music performances.

They will also have advanced proficiency in, and a high level of understanding of :

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