Senior Technical Designer

Halo Studios is building the future of the blockbuster Halo series of video games with Unreal Engine. As part of Xbox Game Studios, the Halo franchise encompasses games, novels, comics, licensed collectibles, apparel, and more with a shared vision of heroism, mystery, and wonder. With multiple projects in development, join our team as we forge the next generation of games and experiences in our award-winning sci-fi universe. Do you want to closely collaborate with teams to drive inspiring, cohesive gameplay experiences? Are you interested in both celebrating and evolving Halo’s legacy to create a new generation of stories that millions of players love? If so, the Halo team would love to speak with you about becoming our next Technical Designer! 

We are looking for a Senior Technical Designer to join Halo Studios. Teamwork and collaboration are part of our team's success - we communicate and creatively solve problems. As an experienced Senior Technical Designer, you will work closely with Designers, Artists, and Engineers to implement the creative vision and intended experience in engine. You will iterate features based on feedback and performance. You will create and optimize workflows and pipelines. You will work with other experienced professionals on world class projects and get opportunities to push the industry. Roles at our studio are flexible, and you can work from home up to two days a week in this role. 

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. 

Responsibilities

• You will increase content creation efficiency by helping designers and engineers identify solutions and create tools and/or scripts that optimize production.  

• You will ensure that one or more specialized content areas are enhanced using technical processes. 

• You will create guidelines to prototype content and techniques for proof of concept, and begin to identify new ways to produce prototypes. You will then utilize feedback and iterate on work, providing solutions for novel technical issues along the way. 

• You will ensure technical requirements are met. You will also utilize art and design requirements to provide creative solutions to technical issues, and communicate technical constraints to teams.
• You will maintain your awareness of the industry, including how other studios solve problems, and use this knowledge to solve relevant tasks. You will also network and recognize top talent within your specialized area. 

Qualifications

Required qualifications:  

• Associate's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Game Design, or related field AND 6+ years experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field

  • OR Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Art, Writing, Behavioral Science, Data Science, Game Design, or related field AND 4+ years experience in game development and design, systems design, content production, or related field

    o OR equivalent experience.

     

• Have shipped at least 1 title released to consumers/shipped game.

• 5+ years experience of game engines (e.g., Unreal) 
• Experience shipping a console/PC titles title with Unreal Engine 4 or later.

Other Requirements 

• Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements is required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following specialized security screenings:  

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science 

• OR related technical field AND 12+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python 

• OR Master's Degree in Computer Science or related technical field AND 8+ years technical engineering experience with coding in languages including, but not limited to, C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, or Python 

• OR equivalent experience. 

• 6+ years experience using related real-time engine (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, Frostbite) or similar game engine technology. 

• 4+ year(s) programming experience (e.g., Python, C#, C++, or equivalent languages). 

• 5+ year(s) experience using scripting languages (e.g., such as LUA, XML) or other visual scripting tools. 

• 4+ years of experience working on world class games in the capacity of Tech Designer, Designer, Engineer, or equivalent technical or engineering role. 

• Previous experience with console/PC titles with more than one shipped game in the FPS or action genre. 

• Understanding of scripting languages or programming languages — especially in the FPS and action genres- combined with the demonstrated ability to create content in those languages and identify, analyze, and rectify errors. 

• Demonstrated ability to build tools or pipelines and improve them 

Game Design IC5 - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $117,200 - $229,200 per year. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $153,600 - $250,200 per year.

Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay   

 Microsoft will accept applications for the role until December 4, 2024

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please send a request via the Accommodation request form.

Benefits/perks listed below may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Microsoft and the country where you work.

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