Jobs Available

We are looking for experienced video games designers, programmers and artists who would like to work with us on this project's design and implementation. For students, we can offer research experience and/or hourly pay.

Cornell students: we can arrange CIS 400 projects or undergraduate research credit
MIT students: we can arrange UROPs for credit or pay
WPI students: we can arrange MQPs
RIT students: we can arrange co-ops
others: we can work out an agreement with your university or college, too!

Email a brief statement/cover letter to jobs at autismcollaborative dot org and attach any required text documents or portfolio elements, or provide a URL for these details. See the descriptions below for these required attachments.

We can sign non-disclosure agreements if necessary. All materials must be sent digitally — we will not accept physical media or documentation.

Some of our posts are on a contract basis due to our disproportionate needs for different aspects of game development. However, candidates who are qualified for multiple roles (including contract-paid) may be hired full or part-time as a hybrid post.

Games Programmer

full/part time

Description:
We are seeking undergraduate, graduate, or recently-graduated students who have a strong object-oriented programming background and a passion for games. Candidates must have completed several semesters of object-oriented programming, preferably in C++ or C#, but Java or similar language is acceptable. At least one semester of a practical game development course is required. Knowledge of Flash/Actionscript or Director typically does not demonstrate necessary skill.

Our mini-games are written in C# using an engine built around XNA. They are usually implemented in teams of 1 or 2 programmers.

Requirements:

• 4+ semesters/2+ years experience with C++, C#, Java, or similar Object-Oriented programming language. Must provide a code sample of 1000 lines or less.
• 1+ semester of practical Game Development in C++/C#/Java or complete “hobby” game. Exceptional Flash or Director games may fulfill this requirement, but a C-like language is preferred. Must provide a link to or copy of semester’s final project or homepage for “hobby” game.
• Strong communication skills. Must provide a brief sample of documentation.
• Interest in implementing games for players with attentional or cognitive differences.
• Passion for games.

Pluses:

• Experience in game design.
• Experience in perceptual or cognitive psychology.
• Experience with autism research or working with people with autism or Asperger syndrome.

Senior Programmer

full/part time

Description:
In addition to the responsibilities of Games Programmer, Senior Programmers expand the existing engine code-base to provide new functionality for mini-games as needed. Senior programmers may also work primarily on a mini-game or primarily on the main Colony Simulator of Astropolis.

Requirements:

• 6+ semesters/3+ years of C++, C#, Java, or similar Object-Oriented programming language. Must provide a code sample of 1000 lines or less.
• 2+ semesters/2+ hobby games (with link to homepages), at least one of which in 3D.
• 3D Graphic API experience (DirectX, OpenGL).
• Shader programming experience (HLSL, CG, GLSL).
• Familiarity with modern Graphics Pipeline.
• Excellent communication skills. Must provide a brief sample of documentation.
• Passion for games.

Pluses:

• Experience (which may include co-op or internship) in professional game development.
• Experience with code optimization.
• Ability to optimize low-level scene graph.
• Experience with Maya, 3DS Max, Lightwave, Blender, or other modeling program.

2D Artist

commission

Description:
We are seeking artists to provide content for our mini-games. This includes game sprites, dialog portraits, interface elements, etc. Mini-games are stylized to appeal to a younger audience (10-15 yrs) while remain accessible by an older audience (20+ yrs).
2D artists are expected to produce the final image files (usually .png or .dds) and submit them to the server. Programmers handle importing the final images into the game.

Requirements:

• Strong traditional art skills, especially drawing. Must provide between 5 and 15 samples of traditional art in portfolio. This can include sketchbook pages, finished illustrations, paintings (physical or digital), rendered animations, or anything that demonstrates traditional art skills.
• Proficiency in Photoshop or equivalent.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a team with programmers and researchers.

Pluses:

• Experience developing art for video games.
• Programming ability.

3D Artist

full/part time or commission

Description:
Our 3D artists have the same role as 2D artists, except they provide content for the 3D colony simulator in Astropolis. The content is mostly buildings, vehicles, vegetation, and other objects necessary for a futuristic space colony. The models are relatively simple since they are to be viewed from a distance, so character must be conveyed through clean silhouettes and color. Photorealism is not the goal, though the colony is less stylized than the mini-games.

Our current pipeline is setup to use Maya and Photoshop for modeling, texturing, and occasional animation. Artists export a Maya scene and then upload the exported files to the server. The programmers take it from there to get the art into the game. The pipeline can be expanded to support 3D Studio max if necessary, and possibly other 3D packages.

Requirements:

• Strong traditional art skills, especially illustration. Must provide between 5 and 10 samples of traditional art in portfolio. This can include sketchbook pages, finished illustrations, paintings (physical or digital), rendered animations, or anything that demonstrates traditional art skills.
• Strong 3D modeling skills. Must provide between 5 and 10 still or animated renders of 3D art in portfolio. Any programs may be used, but submit the renders in JPEG, PNG, QuickTime, or Windows Media format.
• Proficiency modeling and UV-mapping in Maya or 3D Studio Max (although Maya is preferred).
• Proficiency creating textures in Photoshop or equivalent program and applying them in a 3D package.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in a team with programmers and researchers.

Pluses:

• Experience developing art for video games.
• Programming experience.
• Technical art experience.
• Rigging and/or animation experience in Maya or equivalent.

part time

Description:

• Provide final creative calls on all visual aspects of the game
• Lead a small team of undergraduate/recently graduated artists
• Oversee a central 3D game, as well as several 2D mini-games

Requirements:

• Must be able to demonstrate a clear vision to a small team of artists, communicated through discussion and concept art.
• Strong traditional art skills, especially drawing.
• Game is styled to appeal to gamers ages 10 to 15, but also to a more mature audience of 20+ years.
• Provide a digital portfolio of between ten and twenty pieces. This can include sketchbook pages, finished illustrations, paintings (done traditionally or digitally), rendered animations, or anything that demonstrates traditional art skills.
• Must be proficient in Photoshop and Maya/3DS Max.

Musician

commission

Description:
We are seeking additional background tracks that fit the style of the game. This is subjective, and we encourage candidates to explore our website and play the Astropolis demo to get a feel for the visual style of the game. We are open to any genre, but particularly interested in “futuristic” or “sci-fi” genres such as techno, industrial, noise/ambient, trance, synthpop, modern rock, neo-classical, etc. We require everything from smooth and relaxing to adrenaline-charged. All tracks must be void of lyrics and unobtrusive to gameplay. Portfolios that meet the quality we are seeking, but don’t quite fit the game’s style may result in commissioning the applicant for a new song. We may also offer to purchase tracks from portfolios as is.

Requirements:

• Ability to produce completed audio tracks. They can be 100% synthesized, 100% recorded, or any mix of the two. Must provide between 5 and 10 samples of audio tracks (at least 30 seconds long, though full tracks are encouraged) in portfolio. Submissions may be Wave, AIFF, MP3, or Ogg Vorbis format.
• Music must meet our standard of quality and fit the game’s style. This is a subjective call based on input from the art director and all developers.

Designer

commission

Description:
Although most of the design is done by regularly employed developers, we are open to commissioning design specifications from particularly creative and talented individuals. Designers are required to partake in weekly teleconferences and keep the development website up-to-date.

Requirements:

• Previous experience with academic or professional game design. Must provide a sample from a complete functional specification, design document, or similar document (between 2000 and 10000 words).
• Technically savvy with a basic understanding of object-oriented programming.
• Knowledge about autism and/or Asperger syndrome and a desire to apply that knowledge to game design.
• Passion for games.

Pluses:

• Experience with autism research or working with people with autism or Asperger syndrome.
• Experience in perceptual or cognitive psychology.
• Programming experience.

If you're intrested, please explore the documentation and the game overview to learn more about how the project is currently structured, and send us mail at jobs at AutismCollaborative dot org.