Description
Position: Professor of Practice
Position #: 00052395
Institution: SMU Guildhall
Location: SMU-in-Plano
Posted: February 18, 2020
Priority Consideration Date: March 23,
2020
Build the future of the video game industry: We are looking for faculty to fill
positions in an area of specialization: Gameplay Creator, Team Game Production,
Art or Programming. Please apply to any/multiple as applicable.
At one of the top-ranked graduate game design
programs 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 a 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 the 10-month academic calendar. Faculty members are encouraged to use
the other 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
Applicants should include a cover letter, vita
(resume), portfolio showcasing individual abilities, and two letters of
recommendation or names and contact information of two or more
references.
To ensure full consideration for the position
of Professor of Practice, the application must be postmarked or emailed by
March 30, 2020 but the committee will continue to accept applications until
positions are filled. The committee will notify applicants of its
employment decision after positions are 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: May 1, 2020
Contact Info:
Guildhall Faculty Search Committee:
5232 Tennyson Parkway, Building 2
Plano, Texas 75024
GuildhallDO@mail.smu.edu
972-473-3503