About Sparkplay
Sparkplay Media is a small but well-funded startup developing MMOs (our first one - Earth Eternal - is in open beta) We're working outside the mainstream publisher system and are backed by the same folks that funded great companies like Tivo and Netflix. Why should you care? Because this translates into an environment in which we as a team have complete creative control over our games. At Sparkplay, you're part of a team that's small enough that everybody can (and must) contribute meaningfully.
Sparkplay's office (which is a former speakeasy!) is in the historic, lively North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. Dozens of restaurants, bars, and clubs are located in the surrounding blocks and a park is right across the street.
Technical Director
We're looking for a leader with the coding and management experience, passion and diligence to oversee the engineering efforts at Sparkplay Media - a venture-backed independent MMO developer based in San Francisco. The right candidate is either a current Technical Director who can still rope code into shape, or possibly an experienced lead engineer looking to take on some higher level responsibilities and step into a management role while keeping a hand in programming. This individual will manage the development teams and will apply proven communication skills, problem-solving skills, and knowledge of best practices to guide his/her teams on issues related to the development and engineering of Sparkplay MMOs. Our first MMO, Earth Eternal, recently launched and has already developed a strong following in the MMO community.
Responsibilities
- Own, lead and drive all engineering deliverables to successful completion.
- Work with the other functional department heads to determine the development schedule. Manage all engineering resources in order to meet that schedule.
- Contribute directly to engineering solutions, especially on the client side portion of MMO development.
- Provide mentoring, organizational and technical leadership to the development teams.
- Review and analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of existing systems, and then develop strategies for improving and leveraging those systems.
- Work with the CEO and CTO to establish budgets for engineering.
- Stay current with relevant advances in technology, exploring them for value to the company.
- Contribute positively to overall morale and the atmosphere of the company. We like people with energy and a sense of humor!
- Assist the operations department or coordinate with them to get the assistance they need when faced with possible software problems.
Requirements
- 9+ years game industry or related programming experience, at least four years of which was as the lead engineer with a team to manage.
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related engineering discipline required. Masters degree a plus.
- Strong leadership skills with a drive to make the individuals on your team better.
- Ability and willingness to work with other department heads for the greater good of the company.
- Deep knowledge of Direct3D and 3d rendering techniques in general.
- C++ expertise. Java knowledge a big plus.
- Good time management and organizational skills, with experience at accurately assessing the time required to complete complex systems by breaking them down into component tasks.
- Desire to jump in and get fingers to keyboard, producing code that can serve as a best-practices example to your team.
- Ability to architect new systems for your engineering team to execute on.
- Strong self-starter.
- Eligible to work in the United States.
Pluses
- Experience developing MMOs.
- Experience with the Ogre 3d engine.
- Knowledge of server-side and/or database technologies as well as your strong 3d skills.
- Experience in a start-up environment.
Graphic Artist/Designer
We’re looking for a born multi-tasker who can create artwork and designs for both the Art department and Marketing department. For the Art Department, the Graphic Artist will help with user interface design and creation, and architectural pre-visualization. In Marketing, he/she will create web graphics, advertisements, and other marketing related artwork..
Responsibilities
- Design, creation, and preparation of user interface elements for company games and web-sites.
- Creation of flash web advertisements and other online marketing materials.
- Assembly and creation of artwork for print and other media.
- General assistance to both the art and marketing departments, sometimes at short notice.
Requirements
- Portfolio demonstrating strong design skills.
- Expert with Photoshop, Flash, and Illustrator.
- Strong UI skills. Demonstrated experience successfully addressing complex web UI challenges.
- Experience designing and producing flash ads.
- Knowledge of preparing artwork for web media, and some print.
- Ability to work in a range of artistic styles.
Senior Game Designer
Sparkplay Media is looking for a talented and experienced game designer to help build our new MMO - Earth Eternal. You'll be joining a small team at a venture-backed independent developer led by experienced management. We're located in San Francisco, in the lovely North Beach area of the city.
Responsibilities
- Develop, create and implement various design elements (i.e., quests, items, monsters, abilities) into the game.
- Work with art, programming and production to develop new designs from start to finish.
- Create and maintain design documentation.
- Work with the lead designer to set overall game design priorities.
Requirements
- 3+ years of video game industry experience as either a lead or senior game designer.
- Experienced MMO player.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A love of RPGs and the fantasy genre.
- Proficient with MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).
- Eligible to work in the United States.
Plusses
- Programming or scripting experience.
- MMO design experience.
- Math or Computer Science degree.
Please email your resume to jobs@sparkplaymedia.com for consideration. To show that you're paying attention, include the words 'Senior Game Designer' in your subject line.
Game Designer
Sparkplay Media is looking for a talented and experienced game designer to help build our new MMO - Earth Eternal. You'll be joining a small team at a venture-backed independent developer led by experienced management. We're located in San Francisco, in the lovely North Beach area of the city.
Responsibilities
- Develop, create and implement various design elements (i.e., quests, items, monsters, abilities) into the game.
- Work with art, programming and production to develop new designs from start to finish.
- Create and maintain design documentation.
- Work with the lead designer to set overall game design priorities.
Requirements
- 2+ years of video game industry experience as a designer.
- Experienced MMO player.
- Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- A love of RPGs and the fantasy genre.
- Proficient with MS Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).
- Eligible to work in the United States.
Plusses
- Programming or scripting experience.
- MMO design experience.
- Math or Computer Science degree.
Please email your resume to jobs@sparkplaymedia.com for consideration. To show that you're paying attention, include the words 'Game Designer' in your subject line.
