Nihilistic Software, Inc. is growing to become one of the largest independent video game development studios in North America. Located in beautiful Marin County, California, we dedicate our top-notch technology, art, animation, and design departments exclusively to creating AAA titles for Playstation 3 and XBox 360. We specialize in action, adventure, and role-play games for the core gamer market. We offer benefits that no corporate-owned studio can match, including direct royalty-sharing, equity ownership in the studio, and great benefits! As an 100% employee-owned independent developer, we have the opportunity to generate and sell the best ideas to the entire publishing market. We have an incredible set of integrated artist and designer tools--honed over 10 years of production--that no other team can match. We believe in hiring creative, dedicated, talented people and letting them do their job. We also put a high premium on stability; we have been in business for over 10 years without a single layoff or downsizing. Can your current studio say that?
Nihilistic Software is seeking an experienced and talented Console Engine Programmer to continue to develop the company's proprietary engine technology on our current unannounced next generation console action-adventure title with a top publisher.
Applicants must have a strong sense of how to develop high performance systems on console hardware. A keen sense of how to balance performance with a flexible and robust feature set that meets the needs of the project is also required.
Professional experience developing a wide range of PS3 and/or XB360 engine systems, and working with new or in-development hardware is ideal. A passion for playing and creating AAA action games is also highly desirable.
The Console Engine Programmer collaborates with the engine team and other development team members to specify, document, design, implement, profile, optimize and debug engine code throughout the project cycle.
Responsibilities: • Developing and maintaining the core technology to be used in commercial AAA game titles. • Analyze code performance and optimize code appropriately for speed and memory usage. • Design and implement new engine systems based on new research or techniques. • Absorb documentation on new hardware & software systems in order to implement new features • Design and implement efficient low-level systems to support higher-level programmers & pipelines. • Research new software techniques and assess their suitability for adoption into the game engine • Keep abreast of latest developments in hardware & software via developer support, conferences, publications, etc.
Qualifications: • B.S. degree in Computer Science or equivalent experience. • 4+ Years experience in game development and/or 2 quality shipped titles in a key engine role • 3+ Years of console development experience in an engine role • Up-to-date knowledge of modern console software techniques • Hands on experience in two or more of the following areas: Core Systems, Streaming, Networking, Audio, Physics, Animation, Graphics or Simulation (e.g. Cloth, Water, Wind etc…) • Strong technical skills: o 4+ years of C++ o 3+ years of engine programming experience o Solid foundation in 3D math o Low level coding experience (PS3 SPU intrinsics, PS2 VU microcode, PS2 MIPS, Xbox SSE instructions, etc) o Previous experience working with multi-core architectures o Experience working with platform profiling tools also a plus • PS3 or XB360 experience is desirable, but not required for this position. • Ability and strong desire to actively contribute to a highly creative and collaborative team environment, generating innovative solutions. • Positive, professional attitude and interpersonal skills; effectively and productively communicate with leads, engineers, artists, designers and managers. • Excellent writing skills; ability to clearly and concisely define specifications, feature sets and system designs through articulate, well organized technical documents • Ability and willingness to accept and follow direction as well as to seek out, provide, and respond positively to critical feedback. • Disciplined and self-motivated with a strong work ethic; able to work well autonomously, meet deadlines, prioritize and tackle multiple tasks and complete deliverables with a high quality standard • Be willing to work closely, and work hard with, a small group of talented people in an open, fun and relaxed development environment.
Bonus Qualifications: • Rendering experience on a 3rd or 1st person action game • Enjoys helping content creators get the most out of the engine technology • Has a passion for playing and creating games and can articulate that passion clearly and analytically.
