Position: eCenter Faculty (Level Design Specialization)
Institution: The Guildhall at SMU
Location: SMU-in-Plano
Date posted: August 9, 2011
 
eCenter Faculty: The Guildhall at SMU invites applicants for the position of eCenter faculty to teach in the graduate-level digital game development program in the Level Design specialization. Teaching positions are non-tenure track with a one-year renewable term and with a full-time teaching load.  Full benefits accorded to full-time faculty are included. 

• The Guildhall exists to serve the needs of the digital game development industry by teaching the very best professionals to work in the style and at the pace of the gaming industry.
• The Guildhall was designed from the ground up in conjunction with industry professionals.
• A key element of The Guildhall’s value proposition is its continued intimate involvement with the industry and with industry professionals.
• The Guildhall is a focus for the industry as well as its premier education source.

Position requirements include the following:

• A minimum of three years of meaningful experience in the game development industry
• A bachelor's degree in a related field required and an advanced degree is highly desirable
• Able to articulate the basic principles of quality video game design
• Knowledge of current best practices in game design
• Strong technical skills including familiarity with game editors and BSP creation.
• Strong documentation skill, in particular game and level design documents.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Project management skills

Bonus skills include the following:

• Basic scripting knowledge: Lua, Unreal Script, C#, C++
• Experience as producer, lead game designer or lead level designer on a shipped game title
• Some demonstration of teaching excellence is strongly desirable along with a passion for developing and playing video games
• Three plus shipped titles
• Able to teach aesthetics and art style
• Familiarity with Adobe Photoshop
• Familiarity with 3DS Max and Maya
• Familiarity with one or more of the following editors: Unreal Tournament 2007 (Unreal Engine 2.5/3.0); Fallout 3 (TES Construction Set); Quake 4 (Radiant); Half-Life 2 (Source)
• Knowledge/experience in the business of gaming; contracts, budgets, Profit & Loss

Applicants should send a cover letter, vita, and two letters of recommendation or names and contact information of two or more references to the Guildhall Faculty Search Committee – Level Design Specialization, 5232 Tennyson Parkway, Building 2, Plano, Texas 75024.  To ensure full consideration for this position, the application must be postmarked or emailed by September 1, 2011, but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.  The position is currently open. The committee will notify applicants of its employment decision after positions are filled.  Please note that hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.
 
Informal inquiries about this position and the evaluation process may be addressed to diane@smu.edu.  Reference position No.53132.
 
All letters will be acknowledged. SMU will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status. SMU is also committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.


Contact Info:
Guildhall Faculty Search Committee
5232 Tennyson Parkway, Building 2
Plano, Texas 75024