Associate Principal Engineer, Systems

Job Title:

Associate Principal Engineer, Systems

Requisition ID:

R023997

Job Description:

Your Mission

We are looking for engineers with systems programming expertise, specifically in graphics, to join Activision Publishing’s (AP) Central Technology (CT) organization. Activision’s CT organization provides global leadership, engineering support, analysis, and recommendations across various specialized disciplines for AP’s studios and projects. The ideal candidate will have worked at a hardware vendor or games studio working on systems programming tasks in relation to computer graphics. 

This role will report directly to one of the most senior technologists at Activision and assist them with evaluation and implementation of key technologies to address a shifting architectural landscape for graphics. The focus will be on device capability continuum of modern graphics processing units, from mobile phones to future hardware platforms, and especially the interaction of GPUs and hardware designed to assist with machine learning related tasks. 

What you bring to the table

Priorities can often change in a fast-paced environment like ours, so this role includes, but is not limited to, the following responsibilities:  

  

• Provide implementation and optimization assistance for our games, with an emphasis on render submission and GPU efficiency. 

• Contribute to our strategy for building and running our content on a wide variety of devices without the need for significant re-authoring. 

• Liaise with hardware vendors as an expert in areas around computer graphics. 

• Evaluate and articulate a strategy to leverage neural processing units (NPUs) in new hardware devices with our titles. 

• Assist the SVP & Fellow Software Engineer with engineering assistance on special projects as required 

Year One Success 

• Implemented and shipped at least one major feature in our games. 

• Deployed our architectural approach to leverage NPUs at runtime in our titles. 

• Provided critical feedback to hardware partners around future hardware platforms. 

• Assisted the SVP & Fellow Software Engineer in a major strategic project. 

Minimum Requirements

Experience

• The Associate Principal Engineer, Systems should have an established record of working close to hardware platforms, either directly at a hardware vendor, or in a technology or games development role at a low level of hardware access. This includes shipping major new graphics features for games as well as a demonstrated track record of delivering performant implementations. 
• Experience with libraries such as D3D, Vulkan, Metal, and optionally DirectML. 
• Computer science or adjacent technical background, preferably in the game space or academia. 

Knowledge & Skills

• A university-level degree in computer science or related field is typical but not required if there is a demonstrated history of competence and success in systems programming and graphics techniques. 
• A history of demonstrating significant improvements to systems using analysis tools such as PIX, RenderDoc, and Superluminal. 
• Able to work in a large, constantly evolving code base. 

Key Attributes

• The ability to build trust in a large organization with many independent operating functional units. 

Your Platform

Activision Central Tech works to support our development studios and their titles. Comprised of seven main teams, we have many specialties including big data, privacy and security, motion capture and animation pipeline technologies, graphics, build and infrastructure for studio development and data centers, optimization, systems programming and online services including matchmaking and networking. Central Tech is distributed globally with offices across the U.S., and in Canada, England, Ireland and Japan.

Most of our teams are comprised of both engineering and research talent, allowing us to always have an eye on the future. Our dedicated engineers help with title development and provide valuable knowledge to studios while our researchers make things happen and keep a strong connection with the needs of the game studios.

Central Tech is part of Activision. To learn more about us and our research, please visit us at https://research.activision.com/.

Our World

At Activision, we strive to create the most iconic brands in gaming and entertainment. We’re driven by our mission to deliver unrivaled gaming experiences for the world to enjoy, together. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, Crash Bandicoot™, Tony Hawk’s™ Pro Skater™, and Guitar Hero®. As a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and products, our “press start” is simple: delight hundreds of millions of players around the world with innovative, fun, thrilling, and engaging entertainment experiences.

We’re not just looking back at our decades-long legacy; we’re forging ahead to keep advancing gameplay with some of the most popular titles and sophisticated technology in the world. We have bold ambitions to create the most inclusive company as we know our success comes from the passionate, creative, and diverse teams within our organization. 

We’re in the business of delivering fun and unforgettable entertainment for our player community to enjoy. And our future opportunities have never been greater — this could be your opportunity to level up. 

Ready to Activate Your Future? 

We love hearing from anyone who is enthusiastic about changing the games industry. Not sure you meet all qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend to not apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and strongly encourage you to apply.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to accommodationrequests@activisionblizzard.com. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here. Thank you for your interest.

The videogame industry and therefore our business is fast-paced and will continue to evolve. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this role may be changed as directed by the Company at any time to promote and support our business and relationships with industry partners.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well-being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!  Subject to eligibility requirements, the Company offers comprehensive benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance;
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching;
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave;
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others;
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full-time employees and interns with the Company.  You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $155,500.00 - $287,876.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed. While we strive to provide competitive offers to successful candidates, new hire compensation is negotiable.