What are the responsibilities and job description for the ARIES Game Designer position at Virginia Tech?
Job Description
The Applied Research in Immersive Experiences and Simulations (ARIES) program in the University Libraries at Virginia Tech seeks one part-time wage ARIES Game Designer.
Under the direction of the Manager, ARIES Operations, the ARIES Game Designer will be responsible for creating high-quality 3D assets and animations, developing in game engines, and contributing to AR/VR experiences within a collaborative research and production environment. In addition to technical art duties, the role includes mentoring students in the ARIES program and managing project timelines, documentation, and communication to support research and development initiatives successfully.
The ARIES program supports applied research that brings together industry partners, faculty, and students interested in the cognitive and affective aspects of learning in immersive environments, games, simulations for training and performance support, and more. It provides a destination for students to discover, create, and share their creations in the form of games, simulations, virtual reality, and augmented reality experiences for learning and entertainment while having informal interactions with interested peers, faculty, industry partners, and external researchers that are valuable for student development. The ARIES program’s studio prepares students for the workforce with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities through interdisciplinary work in immersive environments development, gaming for entertainment and learning, evaluation, visualization design, and development.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Creative Technologies, Game Design, Computer Science, Interactive Media, or a related field
- Demonstrated experience in 3D technical art, including modeling, texturing, and animation
- Demonstrated proficiency with real-time game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine
- Experience with AR/VR development
- Experience mentoring undergraduate technical artists
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a university or academic research setting
- Project management experience using tools such as Trello, Asana, or JIRA
- Experience writing or maintaining technical documentation and workflow guides
- Familiarity with the ARIES program or similar applied research/education initiatives
Pay Band
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Part-time wage
Salary Information
$20.63-$22.00 per hour dependent on qualifications and experience
Hours per week
Average of 20 hours per week (including summer and school break periods) to be worked between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.
Review Date
May 1, 2025
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Rebecca Osborne at rebeccaao@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary : $21 - $22
