Gameplay Programmer

This is an 18-month project position initially with potential for extension based on project needs. Full benefits package included.

We're looking for a software developer to help create rapid prototypes for 3D simulations and design core interaction mechanics. This role is all about quickly bringing rough ideas to life so we can iterate toward our product vision. You should be a versatile programmer who’s comfortable exploring transformative technologies, web-based engines and traditional game engines like Unity or Unreal. In this role, you’ll use your development skills and awareness of emerging practices (e.g. AI agents)to build engaging, interactive mechanics that enhance learning experiences. You'll work closely with the CTO, contributing to important decisions on how learning and game design come together in our projects.

Primary accountabilities:

• Quickly develop and test prototypes to bring new concepts and gameplay mechanics to life, iterating with feedback from internal stakeholders and, at times, collaborating with external development teams.
• Design and refine game mechanics and interactive content that align with our educational goals, working closely with learning designers and game design experts.
• Define technical and design requirements, and collaborate with external partners to turn prototypes into polished, scalable products.

About the George Lucas Educational Foundation

Working at the George Lucas Educational Foundation means collaborating with a small, creative team that is passionate about transforming pre-K–12 education. The Foundation fosters a business culture where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, and pursue our mission to improve education in a rapidly changing world. Our staff members are excellent at what they do, ready to learn more, and open to trying new ways of doing things in order to best deliver on the Foundation’s mission.

About Lucas Learning

This division sits alongside Edutopia and Lucas Educational Research. It focuses on bringing STEM learning simulations into K-12 that leverage rigorous project-based learning design principles. Lucas Learning aims to take a partnership-first strategy by working with organizations that are already advanced in developing educational simulations. We're a newly established lean and primarily remote team.

Requirements

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor of Computer Science or equivalent Game Development qualifications
• Preferred: Post-graduate qualification in game design or related field
• Certifications or experience in Unity3D, Blender, Unreal Engine or similar a plus
• Portfolio of games, educational preferred, or interactive projects successfully completed and launched

Required Skills / Competencies:

• Ability to work from a blank canvas
• Ability to identify architectural challenges and articulate trade-offs 
• Ability to rapidly deploy small prototype playables for user testing
• Comfortable working scrappy in order to test mechanics and ideas quickly
• Confident working with external partners

Technical Skills:

• Highly proficient in Game Development engines
• Strong background in C#, C++, Java, Javascript and/or other relevant languages
• Experience working with 3D assets, animations and models
• Working knowledge of leveraging physics engines or other simulations

Bonus points:

• Worked on Narrative-driven games or programming interactive dialogue
• Broad exposure to web technology stack
• Any experience with pixel streaming or cloud rendering
• Experience with AR/VR or mixed reality technologies a plus

The full-time salary range is between $130K and $170k, with exact salary depending on experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Benefits

The George Lucas Educational Foundation offers comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance; an employer match of up to 6% of your salary for your retirement fund, vested immediately; and an annual education stipend to spend on professional development.