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52477 Professor of Practice - Video Game Development
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Position Number: 5662743
Location: Dallas, TX
Position Type: Fine and Applied Arts - Digital Art

52477 Professor of Practice - Video Game Development
Guildhall

Location: Dallas, TX
Open Date: Jun 30, 2022

Description:
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, Art 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 4), Source (Half-Life 2/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
- Ability to create, track and manage software development teams
- 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

Art

Position requirements include:

Strong 3D digital asset creation and traditional 2D skills
Proficiency in Photoshop, 3D Studio Max, and Mudbox (or equivalent sculpting software)
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 artist

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 resume to: http://apply.interfolio.com/109109. Applicants with a digital portfolio, showcasing individual abilities, should reference the portfolio link on their resume. Additional documents (i.e., cover letter, CV, letters of reference, etc.) may also be uploaded to Interfolio.

To ensure full consideration for this position, resumes 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.

Start Date: based on availability

Any questions may be directed to the SMU Guildhall Faculty Search Committee Chair at GuildhallDO@smu.edu

Qualifications:

Application Instructions:
To apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/109109

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 Assistant Vice President 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.