This role is considered Hybrid, which means the employee will work 2-3 days onsite at a Company designated location and occasionally from home.
Gameplay Engineers are our chief gameplay problem-solvers with a focus on optimizing the user experience. Senior Gameplay Engineers lead teams, solve complex problems, and mentor junior and mid-level engineers.
We are looking for a technical leader who reflects the innovative spirit, technical talent, production excellence, collaborative mindset and passion for great storytelling that defines ILM Immersive.
What You’ll Do
- Design and implement solutions for gameplay mechanics, UI, player controls, animation, AI, physics, and more
- Write polished, optimized, and documented code with an eye towards re-usability for multiple games
- Serve as Lead Gameplay Engineer on the development team of Virtual, Mixed and Augmented Reality gameplay and experiences as needed
- Work with Production on development schedule and design specification, ensure implementation of experience matches design goals
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of designers, artists and animators in a fast-paced, iterative development environment
- Identify engineering opportunities, flag issues and propose solutions to ILMxLAB technology leadership for the greater good of the team/studio/company
- Use advanced knowledge to develop creative solutions to critical issues and complex design problems
- Assist with R&D and rapid prototyping for prospective projects
- Identify risks for tech/development and proactively propose solutions
- Engage in the QA process to identify, triage and fix bugs
- Supervision of junior and mid-level programmers as required
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s/Master’s in Computer Science or equivalent experience
- 5+ years of game development experience and multiple shipped titles as a gameplay engineer or equivalent
- Extensive experience working with Unreal Engine or equivalent AAA game engine
- Experience building a wide variety of gameplay mechanics/systems
- Understanding of each discipline in the games/interactive development process, and the process as a whole from ideation through final delivery
- Uses seasoned judgment to recommend approaches that optimize among customer needs, business constraints, and technological realities
- Excellent C++ coder, strong understanding of C# and C
- Strong familiarity with the principles of Object-Oriented Design
- Solid understanding of algorithms, physics and math
- Excellent problem solving skills and the ability to work with minimal supervision
- Passionate about the immersive, interactive entertainment space
- Bonus points for previous work experience in AR/VR/mixed reality
The hiring range for this position in San Francisco is $159,400 to $189,000 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
About Industrial Light & Magic:
Founded in 1975 by George Lucas, ILM is the leading effects facility in the world, serving the motion picture, commercial production, and attraction industries. ILM has created visual effects for over 325 feature films and has played a key role in seven of the top 10 worldwide box-office hits of all time and has contributed to 25 of the top 50. ILM has set the standard for visual effects, creating some of the most stunning images in the history of film. At the forefront of the digital revolution, the company continues to break new ground in visual effects, VR, AR, and Immersive Cinema.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with the following business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, Disney Parks, and Experiences and Products. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family.
Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with Lucasfilm Ent Co Ltd, LLC Payroll Svc, which is part of a business we call Industrial Light & Magic.
Lucasfilm Ent Co Ltd, LLC Payroll Svc is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a rapidly changing world.