Emulation Engineer

Atari; Emeryville (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading studio dedicated to preserving classic video games is seeking an Emulation Engineer. You will design and optimize emulators for vintage games, ensuring high performance and compatibility. Join a passionate team that values retro gaming and innovation.

Benefits

Medical, vision, and dental benefits

Generous parental leave

15+ paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in C++ required.
• Experience with reverse engineering and debugging tools.
• Familiarity with assembly languages and binary analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize video game emulators.
• Research and reverse-engineer legacy hardware.
• Collaborate with teams to integrate emulators into projects.

Skills

C++

Communication

Teamwork

Problem Solving

Passion for retro video games

Tools

Reverse Engineering Tools

Debugging Tools

OpenGL

Vulkan

DirectX

Job description

Classic video games deserve better. At Digital Eclipse, we treat them with the same care and respect given to other artistic mediums. In its original incarnation in 1994, Digital Eclipse pioneered accurate video game re-releases, emulating vintage arcade games well before “emulation” was a household word. 30 years later, we’ve been reborn as a new kind of studio - one dedicated to not only restoring gaming’s heritage, but to preserving it and keeping it alive and available for future generations.

We've launched critically acclaimed titles likeMighty Morphin Power Rangers: Rita’s Rewind, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection, and Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration, while also developing successful original IPs like #IDARB and collaborating with industry leaders such as Capcom and Disney. And we're just getting started.

The Role

We are seeking a talented and creative Emulation Engineer to join our development team and help us develop video game emulators that allow classic games to be played on contemporary hardware. You will be responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing video game emulators. You will work closely with our engineers, designers, and QA team to ensure high performance, accuracy, and compatibility. Your work will directly contribute to bringing classic gaming experiences to new audiences.

What You’ll Do

• Writing new emulators with a focus on early 3D consoles.
• Maintaining, modifying, and expanding our current emulators.
• Implement support for new features, such as save states, enhanced graphics, and online multiplayer.
• Research and reverse-engineer legacy hardware and software to improve emulator accuracy.
• Optimize emulator performance for various under-powered hardware platforms.
• Debug and fix compatibility issues with a wide range of classic games.
• Working on expanding the existing emulation interface layer into our proprietary engine.
• Collaborate with the team to integrate emulators into commercial projects.
• Stay updated on advancements in emulation techniques and hardware architectures.

Must Haves

• Strong proficiency in C++
• Knowledge of computer architecture, CPU/GPU emulation, and memory management.
• Experience with reverse engineering and debugging tools.
• Familiarity with assembly languages (e.g., x86, ARM, MIPS) and binary analysis.
• Understanding of graphics and audio emulation techniques.
• Experience with cross-platform development (Windows, Linux, macOS, and mobile platforms).
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills with a proactive attitude toward problem-solving.
• Passion for retro video games and emulation.

Bonus Points

• Experience developing or contributing to open-source emulators.
• Knowledge of OpenGL, Vulkan, or DirectX for graphics rendering.
• Experience working with commercial video game projects.
• Familiarity with game preservation and legal aspects of emulation.
• Salary Range: $140,000 - $170,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
• Medical, vision, and dental benefits.
• Generous parental leave.
• 15+ paid holidays + vacation and sick leave.

To Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter.

EEO Statement

Digital Eclipse is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to equal employment regardless of race, religion or lack thereof, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, medical condition, veteran status, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

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