SMU Guildhall Faculty (eCenter)

Position Numbers:  #00052390 and #00052395

Institution: SMU Guildhall

Location: SMU-in-Plano

Priority Consideration Date:  January 1, 2018

Build the future of the video game industry:  Pardon our growth, we are expanding again. We are looking for faculty to fill positions in an area of specialization: Level Design, Team Game Production, Art or Programming. Please apply to one of the four. 

For over a decade, 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. 

Guildhall Faculty:  Teaching positions are full-time on an annual renewal cycle (non-tenure track).  Guildhall lecturer 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. 

Level Design

Position minimum requirements include:

• Strong technical skills with game editors, scripting languages, and BSP creation
• Ability to articulate the 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)
• Scripting/knowledge in multiple programming languages, especially: Lua, Blueprint, C#, C++, Java, JavaScript, HTML5
• 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
• 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, portfolio showcasing individual abilities, and two letters of recommendation or names and contact information of two or more references.

To ensure full consideration for this position, the application must be postmarked or emailed by February 1, 2018 but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.  The committee will notify applicants of its employment decision after 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, or veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.  The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, including the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX.  The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu. 

Women, minorities, veterans and person with disabilities are strong encouraged to apply.

Start Date:  March 15, 2018

Contact Info:

Guildhall Faculty Search Committee:

5232 Tennyson Parkway, Building 2

Plano, Texas 75024

GuildhallDO@mail.smu.edu

972-473-3503