Description
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.