Description
Position:
Professor of Practice - Video Game Development
Position
#: 52477
Institution:
SMU Guildhall
Location:
SMU/Dallas
Date
posted: February 9, 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. Please apply to any/multiple as applicable.
At
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.
Professor of Practice: Teaching positions are full-time
on an annual renewal cycle (non-tenure track). Professor of Practice
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/109109. 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/109109;
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: based on
availability
Any questions may be directed to the
SMU Guildhall Faculty Search Committee Chair.