Technical Accessibility Designer (Contract)

PlayStation; Long Beach (CA); Remote; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

PlayStation's Santa Monica Studio seeks a Technical Accessibility Designer for a new title. This role focuses on enhancing gaming accessibility, collaborating with multiple teams to implement features that support diverse player experiences, offering also mentoring opportunities. It's a flexible role, fostering an inclusive environment for innovation.

Qualifications

• Proficiency with multiple scripting languages and visual scripting systems.
• Experience advocating for accessibility in game design.
• Collaborative attitude with mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Key stakeholder in design discussions on accessibility.
• Design and implement accessibility features in games.
• Mentor other accessibility designers.

Skills

Scripting languages (Lua, ActionScript, C#, Python, React JS)

Accessibility features implementation

Communication skills

Mentoring and training designers

Education

Background in Computer Science or Engineering

Certification through the AbleGamers accessibility course

Job description

Why PlayStation? PlayStation isn't just the Best Place to Play - it's also the Best Place to Work. Today, we're recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VR, PlayStation Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team. The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group.

Santa Monica Studio, the award-winning team that created God of War, is seeking a Technical Accessibility Designer for a new unannounced title! As a Technical Accessibility Designer, you will blend your passion for accessibility in games with your technical experience to be the primary design owner, collaborating with design, art, and engineering teams to implement and tune accessibility features and systems.

Responsibilities

1. Act as the key stakeholder in design discussions, advocating for diverse player experiences and engaging with other departments throughout the process.
2. Identify potential issues by guiding departments to incorporate accessibility considerations.
3. Design and implement accessibility features, working with engineering, art, and design to scope, schedule, and complete work.
4. Support the design of hardware-specific features such as haptic feedback and adaptive controls.
5. Play through game content, analyze, validate, and provide feedback on accessibility features, translating feedback into practical tasks.
6. Contribute to design discussions, supporting collaboration and creativity across teams.
7. Work closely with UI/UX leads and other department heads to determine design, technical, and data requirements.
8. Mentor other accessibility designers to enhance their skills.

Requirements

• Proficiency with scripting languages (Lua, ActionScript, C#, Python, React JS) and experience with visual scripting systems.
• Experience in specifying, advocating for, and implementing accessibility features in games.
• Knowledge of design patterns for accessibility needs and familiarity with barriers faced by people with disabilities.
• Collaborative, inclusive attitude with excellent communication skills.
• Experience mentoring and training designers.

Preferred

• Certification through the AbleGamers accessibility course.
• Familiarity with God of War (2018) and God of War: Ragnarök.
• Experience working on action RPGs.
• Background in Computer Science or Engineering.

This role is flexible and can be remote, with pay ranges varying by location. For example, in Seattle, the estimated hourly pay range is $40.67-$61.06 USD.

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of gender, race, religion, age, sexual orientation, or other protected status.