Audio Engineer

Arlington, VA | Job #1330249

Location: Arlington, VA (onsite)
Type: W2 Contract
Compensation Range: $45-50/HR

We are seeking a highly skilled Audio Engineer to support our client's in-house studio, live events, and broadcast-style work. This role is responsible for ensuring high-quality, reliable audio for everything from one-on-one interviews to multi-guest panels, all-staff meetings, and live media hits with major news outlets.

You'll be the primary owner of our control room audio board and audio signal flow, while also helping cross-train team members so that we build a resilient, "backup to the backup" culture.
 
Responsibilities:
Studio & Control Room Operations

  • Operate and maintain the audio board in our control room, managing inputs, routing, and levels for live and recorded sessions.
  • Set up, test, and monitor 1-6+ microphones for interviews, panels, and live discussions.
  • Ensure all connections (e.g., XLR to camera/recording devices) are correctly configured and verified before sessions begin.
  • Capture clean, broadcast-ready audio for studio recordings, live streams, and virtual hits.

Live Events & Broadcast Support

  • Provide audio support for:
    • Media hits (e.g., CNN, Fox News, and other outlets) conducted from our studio.
    • Company-wide all-staff meetings and large internal events (hundreds of attendees, with hybrid/remote streaming).
    • Marketing & communications all-staff events and other key internal gatherings.
  • Collaborate with the infrastructure and events teams to design, set up, and run audio for live events, including room mics, playback, and streaming feeds.
  • When needed, coordinate or work alongside an A2 (assistant audio tech) for higher-volume, multi-guest events.

Collaboration & Training

  • Partner with "jack/jane-of-all-trades" teammates, training them on basic audio workflows so they can provide backup support when needed.
  • Communicate clearly with producers, project managers, and on-camera talent about audio needs, timing, and any constraints.
  • Participate in planning meetings for recurring events and special projects to anticipate and address audio requirements.

Quality, Reliability & Professionalism

  • Own the end-to-end reliability of the audio chain during your productions (rigorous pre-checks, redundancy where possible, rapid troubleshooting).
  • Maintain a high standard of professionalism and appearance, especially when supporting executives, external guests, and high-visibility events.
  • Follow all financial and equipment-handling policies and adhere to organizational standards and best practices. 

Qualifications:

  • Proven experience as an Audio Engineer, A1, or similar role in studio, live event, or broadcast environments.
  • Strong fluency with professional audio boards/consoles (digital and/or analog), including routing, buses, monitoring, and recording.
  • Hands-on experience with:
  • Microphones and wireless systems (lavs, handhelds, headsets)
  • Audio interfaces and outboard gear.
  • Basic audio troubleshooting (hum, noise, RF issues, gain staging, etc.)
  • Experience supporting multi-mic setups (panels of 4-6+ people) in live or live-to-tape contexts.
  • Comfort working in hybrid events: in-room sound plus streaming to remote audiences.
  • Excellent attention to detail, especially around cabling, patching, and pre-event checks.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to stay calm and solutions-focused under time pressure.
  • Preferred Experience:
  • Experience with broadcast-style workflows for news hits or remote live interviews.
  • Familiarity with DAWs (e.g., Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, Reaper) for basic editing and cleanup.
  • Experience mentoring or training others on foundational audio concepts.
  • Background supporting corporate communications, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations.

Job ID: JN -042026-130249
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Equal Opportunity Employer: Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected group status.

At Cella, a randstad digital company, we welcome people of all abilities and want to ensure that our hiring and interview process meets the needs of all applicants. If you require a reasonable accommodation to make your application or interview experience a great one, please contact HRsupport@randstadusa.com.

Pay offered to a successful candidate will be based on several factors including the candidate's education, work experience, work location, specific job duties, certifications, etc. In addition, Cella by randstad digital offers a comprehensive benefits package, including: medical, prescription, dental, vision, AD&D, and life insurance offerings, short-term disability, and a 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

This posting is open for thirty (30) days.




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ABOUT CELLA
We are passionate about connecting you with the right role at the right organization—and providing you great benefits for the great work you do. With an attractive compensation package including competitive salary, 401(k) plan, weekly paychecks, holiday pay and a health benefits program, we have you covered.

Cella is an award-winning leader in consulting, staffing and managed solutions for creative, marketing, digital and proposal development teams. We help people build meaningful careers and partner with companies to help them win. Our staffing solutions include freelance, contract, temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire positions. Cella has earned the 2022 Best of Staffing® Client and Talent 10-Year Diamond Awards—an honor earned by only 1% of staffing firms in the U.S. Cella is an equal opportunity employer.