Description
Position: Professor of Practice
Position #: 52487
Institution: SMU Guildhall
Location: SMU/Dallas
Date posted: April 11, 2022
Priority Consideration Date: May 13, 2022
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
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
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 resumé to: http://apply.interfolio.com/104511. 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/104511, by May 13, 2022; 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, 2022
Any
questions may be directed to the SMU Guildhall Faculty Search Committee Chair