Audio Engineer SME (REAPER/Ardour) | Contractor | 5-Week Engagement | Worldwide Remote
Turing is seeking a seasoned Audio Engineering Subject Matter Expert to help design reusable environment templates that power AI training tasks. You'll define realistic audio workflows, create authentic project materials, and demonstrate what technically correct, professionally sound results look like — all within REAPER and Ardour.
About Turing
Based in San Francisco, Turing is the world's leading research accelerator for frontier AI labs and a trusted partner for global enterprises deploying advanced AI systems. Turing helps customers accelerate frontier research with high-quality data, advanced training pipelines, and top-tier AI expertise across coding, reasoning, STEM, multimodality, and more.
Role Overview
You will work closely with Turing's engineering team to translate professional audio workflows into structured, measurable task requirements. Your expertise ensures that simulated audio environments reflect how real-world audio engineers, producers, and sound designers actually work. Note: You will not be writing scoring code — your role is to define correctness; engineers handle automated checks.
Key Responsibilities
- Map real capabilities of audio applications, including supported formats, key workflows, processing operations, and export capabilities.
- Define and document realistic audio workflows in a structured format for the engineering team.
- Create high-quality base assets for simulated tasks, including:
- Multi-track raw audio sessions
- REAPER and Ardour project files
- Effect chain and plugin presets
- Reference mastering targets
- Stem and mixdown specifications
- Ensure all project materials are realistic, technically accurate, and internally consistent.
- Complete representative tasks in target applications and provide reference solutions demonstrating correct outcomes.
- Clearly explain the reasoning behind technical decisions — not just whether an output is correct.
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of professional experience in audio engineering, sound design, music production, mixing, or mastering.
- Hands-on experience producing, mixing, or mastering real multi-track audio projects.
- Mandatory: Hands-on experience with REAPER or Ardour.
- Strong understanding of audio routing, signal flow, effects processing, and VST/AU plugins.
- Working knowledge of broadcast loudness standards, including EBU R128 and ITU-R BS.1770 / LUFS.
- Ability to evaluate an audio project and clearly articulate why a mix, stem, or export is technically correct.
- Strong attention to detail and consistency across complex audio projects.
- Clear written English with the ability to document technical workflows precisely.
- Comfortable working independently and translating professional expertise into structured requirements.
Engagement Details
- Commitment: 40 hours per week with at least 4 hours PST overlap
- Employment Type: Contractor assignment (no medical/paid leave)
- Duration: 5 weeks with immediate onboarding
Benefits
- Work on cutting-edge AI research projects.
- Competitive compensation.
- Flexible hours in a fully remote environment.
