Mob Entertainment is a startup multimedia studio that is best known for our hit indie horror game "Poppy Playtime". This franchise is one of the hottest new properties in gaming, and our team is naturally expanding as our ambition expands. To give a taste of our brand's popularity, more than 100 billion YouTube views of Poppy Playtime related content have occurred since the game's launch 4 years ago.
We’re Mob Entertainment, a small but fearless indie team crafting deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant horror experiences. Our games blur the line between fear and fascination — and we believe sound is the soul of that experience. We’re looking for a multifaceted Contract Composer who can craft chilling, immersive, and unforgettable original music to haunt our players long after they put the controller down.
Role Overview
As our Contract Composer, you’ll be the architect of our game’s sonic unease — blending ambient dread, tense build-ups, and haunting melodies to evoke the psychological and emotional depth that defines great horror. You’ll work closely with the design and audio teams to shape an evolving score that responds dynamically to player behavior and supports our story-first approach. The ideal candidate will primarily serve as a composer, with the versatility to assist in sound effects creation and implementation when required.
Responsibilities
- Compose and produce original music tailored to the tone and pacing of a psychological horror experience.
- Design adaptive music systems that respond to in-game actions and player choices.
- Collaborate with the Game Director to establish the musical identity of the game.
- Experiment with unconventional instruments, sound textures, and techniques to create unsettling soundscapes.
- Deliver high-quality audio assets, including stems and variations for dynamic layering.
- Iterate on feedback from internal playtests and reviews.
- Support the audio team in creating sound effects, and various aspects of game audio.
What We’re Looking For
- At least three years of experience in a Composer or Audio Designer role
- A compelling portfolio or reel featuring original music and sound design, that stylistically matches the Poppy style - with horror, thriller, and liminal nostalgia.
- Experience working on at least one released indie or commercial game.
- Strong ability to tell stories through music and create emotional contrast through minimalism, dissonance, or ambient layers.
- Proficiency in a DAW (Logic, Cubase, Reaper, etc.). Familiarity with Reaper is a plus.
- Familiarity with Metasounds and a basic understanding of game implementation.
- Creative instincts aligned with narrative-driven, mood-heavy indie games.
- Strong communication skills and comfort working in a small, collaborative team environment.
Bonus Points
- Experience with Unity or Unreal Engine.
- Integrate music using Unreal’s audio system (with support from technical audio staff as needed).
- Interest in psychological horror, folklore, or experimental storytelling.
- Ability to work with both traditional composition and abstract/avant-garde soundscapes.
Contract Rate:
The contract rate for this position is listed below. Final compensation within the applicable salary range will be determined based on factors such as the applicant’s experience, qualifications, and work location.
San Francisco, CA; New York City, NY; Los Angeles, CA; Seattle, WA; Boston, MA; & Seattle, WA DC Metropolitan Areas: $41 - $50 USD hourly
Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; & Miami, FL Metropolitan Areas: $36 - $44 USD hourly
All Other U.S. Locations: $30 - $37 USD hourly
Mob Entertainment is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and complies with all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, military service, or any other protected class under applicable state or local law. Mob Entertainment also considers all qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with Fair Chance laws as well as any other applicable state and local laws.
Skills Required
- At least three years of experience in a Composer or Audio Designer role
- Compelling portfolio or reel featuring original music and sound design matching the game's horror/thriller style
- Experience working on at least one released indie or commercial game
- Strong ability to tell stories through music and create emotional contrast using minimalism, dissonance, or ambient layers
- Proficiency in a DAW (examples: Logic, Cubase, Reaper)
- Familiarity with Reaper
- Familiarity with Metasounds and a basic understanding of game implementation
- Strong communication skills and comfort working in a small, collaborative team
- Experience with Unity or Unreal Engine
- Ability to integrate music using Unreal's audio system (with support)
- Interest in psychological horror, folklore, or experimental storytelling
- Ability to work with both traditional composition and abstract/avant-garde soundscapes
What We Do
We are a digital media company of 30+ artists and 110+ employees dedicated to creating high quality 3D animations and videogames! Our Poppy Playtime video is the 2nd most searched video on YouTube with over 5 BILLION VIEWS!!
