Faculty - Video Game Development

Position:
Faculty - Video Game Development

Position
#:  52478

Institution:
SMU Guildhall

Location:
SMU/Dallas

Date
posted: September 23, 2024

Priority
Consideration Date: November 7, 2024

Build the future of the video game industry:  We are
looking for faculty in any of the following areas of specialization: Gameplay
Creator, Team Game Production or Programming (see below for requirements).
Please apply to any/multiple as applicable. The open position will be filled within the ranks of Professor of Practice, Clinical Professor,
or Assistant Professor appointments, depending on earned degrees, SACSCOC faculty credentials guidelines,
research, and applicant qualifications.

As
one of the top-ranked graduate programs in game design in the world, faculty at
SMU Guildhall have been shaping key developers and future leaders in the game
industry. Our graduates are recruited by top companies in the industry because
they hit the ground running with hands-on experience producing real games in an
agile format. Join this team of passionate game dev veterans who are mentoring
the next generation of game changers.

Teaching
positions are full-time on an annual renewal cycle (non-tenure track) and schedules
follow a 10-month academic calendar. Some faculty
members may choose to apply to teach during the summer term; all faculty
members are encouraged to use the summer months to practice their craft and
maintain credentials as digital game development professionals as well as researchers.

Gameplay Creator (Mission Designer,
Scripter, Level Designer, World Builder)

Position
requirements include:

• Strong
  technical skills with game editors and/or other game content creation
  tools


• Strong
  problem solving and technical troubleshooting ability


• Expertise
  in at least one of the following areas (and analytical knowledge of the
  others): scripting, design, and/or level layout (from a gameplay
  perspective)


• Ability
  to create and communicate game and/or level designs in context of your
  expertise


• Ability
  to articulate basic principles of quality video game design


• A
  minimum of five years of experience in the game development industry, with
  at least two major shipped games


• Knowledge
  of current best practices in game development


• Ability
  to work well in a team based environment


• Excellent
  oral communication and technical writing skills

Preferred
position qualifications include:

• Familiarity
  with one of the following engines/editors (or equivalent proprietary
  engine): Unreal, Unity, Creation Kit (Skyrim, Fallout), Source (Half-Life/Portal/Left
  4 Dead)


• Proficiency
  in Photoshop and 3D Studio Max for 2D/3D pipeline for digital asset
  creation


• Scripting/knowledge
  in multiple programming languages, especially: Lua, Blueprint, C#, C++,
  Java, JavaScript


• Experience
  as a lead level designer or lead designer

Team
Game Production

Position
requirements include:

• Project
  management skills

o   Ability
to create, track and manage software development teams

o   Familiarity
with Iterative, Agile, and Rapid Application development

• Knowledge/experience
  in publishing (business & marketing of gaming), contracts, budgets,
  P&L


• A
  minimum of five years of experience in the game development industry, with
  at least two major shipped games


• Knowledge
  of current best practices in game development


• Ability
  to work well in a team based environment


• Excellent
  oral communication and technical writing skills

Preferred
position qualifications include:

• Familiarity
  with one of the following engines (or equivalent proprietary engine):
  Unreal, Unity


• Multiple
  platform and genre game development experience


• Experience
  as an internal studio producer

Programming

Position
requirements include:

• Excellent
  C/C++ proficiency and design skills, solid math background, and solid
  engineering skills


• A
  minimum of five years of experience in the game development industry, with
  at least two major shipped games


• Knowledge
  of current best practices in game development


• Ability
  to work well in a team based environment


• Excellent
  oral communication and technical writing skills

Preferred
position qualifications include:

• Familiarity
  with one of the following engines/editors: Unreal, Unity


• Experience
  as a lead programmer or technical director

SMU Guildhall is using Interfolio’s
Faculty Search to process applications for this position. Each applicant is
required to upload their resumé to:  http://apply.interfolio.com/155176.  Applicants with a digital portfolio,
showcasing individual abilities, should reference the portfolio link on their resumé.  Additional documents (i.e., cover letter, CV,
letters of reference, etc.) may also be uploaded to Interfolio.

To ensure full consideration for
this position, resumés must be uploaded to Interfolio, at http://apply.interfolio.com/155176,
by November 7, 2024; however, the committee will continue to accept
applications until the position is filled. The committee will notify applicants
of its employment decision after the position is filled.  Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory
completion of a background check.

SMU
will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color,
religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran
status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive
Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle
inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the
Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205,
214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Start
Date:  June 1, 2025

Any questions may be directed to
the SMU Guildhall Faculty Search Committee Chair.