Synthesia developers help businesses turn scripts, brand assets, and AI avatars into professional video content for training, product demos, onboarding, internal communications, and marketing campaigns. Whether you need localized onboarding videos, reusable branded templates, or API-driven video generation tied to a content workflow, hiring a Synthesia developer can help you scale production while keeping scripts, captions, brand consistency, and distribution needs organized. If your project also includes live-action editing or post-production work, you may want to explore hiring a video editor for complementary support.
What does a Synthesia developer do?
A Synthesia developer creates AI-generated video workflows using Synthesia, turning text scripts into avatar-based videos with voice-overs, branded scenes, captions, and export-ready files. Typical responsibilities include structuring scripts into scenes, selecting avatars and voices, applying brand kits or visual guidelines, adding captions and subtitles, optimizing videos for different formats, and exporting final files or sharing links ready for distribution.
Common deliverables include finished AI videos with captions, reusable Synthesia templates, API integration setups for programmatic video creation, SCORM packages for learning management system (LMS) use where supported, multilingual video versions with localized voice-overs, and documentation for internal teams. Depending on project scope, a Synthesia developer may collaborate with content strategists on scripts, instructional designers on training structure, or marketing teams that manage publishing after handoff.
How to hire a Synthesia developer on Upwork
Hiring a Synthesia developer on Upwork follows four steps: post a clear job, evaluate candidates based on relevant work, interview top choices, and finalize scope before the contract begins.
Step 1: Post a job
Start by describing what you need delivered, not just the tool you want someone to use. A strong Synthesia job post includes:
- Video type and intended audience, such as training, marketing, product demo, or internal communications
- Quantity, length, and format, such as five 2-minute landscape videos or ten 30-second social clips
- Script status, including whether scripts are final, need review, or require writing support
- Avatar and voice needs, including stock avatars, custom avatar requirements, language, and accent
- Branding requirements, such as brand kit use, visual guidelines, logos, and provided assets
- Caption and subtitle expectations, including synced captions, multilingual subtitles, and review needs
- Output format and distribution needs, such as MP4 export, share link, or LMS package
- Whether the project requires templates, API work, automation, or ongoing production
- Timeline, revision limits, approval process, and success criteria
Use the Job Post Generator, powered by Umaโข, Upworkโs Mindful AI, to draft a customizable job post. Describe your project in a few sentences, and Uma will create a starting point you can refine. You can also review this job description template guide to structure your post around deliverables, requirements, and timeline.
Step 2: Evaluate candidates
Review proposals and shortlist candidates whose portfolios match your project type. Focus on:
- Portfolio examples showing Synthesia videos similar to your use case, such as training, marketing, explainer, or localized videos
- Case studies or client testimonials that explain workflow, turnaround time, and communication
- Experience with templates, API automation, or SCORM/LMS packaging if your project requires it
- A proposal that explains how the freelancer will handle script review, avatar selection, revisions, and quality assurance
- Client reviews with feedback on responsiveness, attention to detail, and brand guideline adherence
- Availability, time zone overlap if needed, and a clear process for stakeholder reviews
- Talent badges such as Top Rated or Expert-Vetted, which can signal consistent client satisfaction
Candidates who explain how they review captions, maintain brand consistency, and hand off files often create a smoother process with fewer late-stage revisions.
Step 3: Interview your top choices
Interview top choices with a structured 20-30 minute agenda that validates production workflow, quality assurance, and communication style. During the interview:
- Walk through your project needs and ask how they would approach script-to-video production
- Ask how they select avatars, voices, pacing, and scene layouts for a specific audience
- Discuss how they review captions, timing, pronunciation, and brand consistency
- Confirm how they manage feedback, revision rounds, and approval checkpoints
- For advanced projects, ask about API access, template IDs, webhook configuration, or LMS requirements
- Clarify how they hand off final files, templates, documentation, and usage notes
Role-specific questions might include: โHow do you handle multilingual video production?โ or โWhat is your process for creating reusable Synthesia templates?โ You can use Instant Interviews to collect video responses early, then use Upworkโs video interviewing tools to keep communication in one place.
Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work
Before work starts, align on deliverables, timeline, revision limits, payment structure, and communication expectations. Use Upworkโs contract workroom to document milestones, approvals, and scope changes in one place. For fixed-price projects, funded milestones keep project funds tied to approved milestones and release payment when deliverables are approved.
Before the project starts:
- List final deliverables, including video count, length, format, captions, and export type
- Set milestones for fixed-price work or weekly expectations for hourly contracts
- Define success criteria, such as brand guideline adherence, caption accuracy, or LMS upload validation
- Confirm what source materials you will provide, such as scripts, brand assets, logo files, and style guides
- Document the revision process, including how many rounds are included and how approved changes will be handled
- Confirm communication cadence, including update frequency, review checkpoints, and escalation path
Upwork is not affiliated with and does not sponsor or endorse any of the tools or services discussed in this article. These tools and services are provided only as potential options, and each reader and company should take the time needed to adequately analyze and determine the tools or services that would best fit their specific needs and situation.
The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.