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 at GuildhallDO@smu.edu