Technical Director

Koolhaus Games Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Koolhaus Games Inc. in the United States is seeking a Technical Director to lead a talented programming team, maintaining high technical standards while nurturing problem solving and creativity.

You will supervise developers across mobile, PC, and console projects, drive R&D in AI, ML, AR, and manage project planning, budgeting and cross-disciplinary communication.

This role offers influence on company direction and a chance to shape a world-class technical group within Koolhaus.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.
• Senior/Lead Programmer or Technical Director experience.
• 4+ years hands-on programming in the video game industry using OO languages (C/C++, C#, Java).
• Shipped at least 4 video game titles.
• Mobile, PC or console development experience.
• Experience with game engines such as Unity, Unreal.
• Strong people management, 3+ years managing teams of 5+ engineers.
• Proficient with MS Project, Merlin, MS Excel; organized and detail oriented.
• Eligible for Canadian Work Permit.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction and problem solving for programmers.
• Lead training, team building, and professional development.
• Drive R&D initiatives including AI, ML, AR and partnerships.
• Oversee project management, budgeting, and documentation.
• Coordinate communication across clients, management and design teams.
• Oversee IT, networks, security, hardware, inventories.
• Contribute creatively to game design and gameplay.
• Other related duties as required.
• Influence Koolhaus' direction.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Merlin

MS Excel

Unity

Unreal Engine

Job description

Role

The role of the Technical Director is to lead, supervise and support a talented group of video game programmers emotionally, creatively, professionally and technically. You are not responsible for having all the answers but have the ability to nurture problem solving individually and/or collectively while keeping your team on track and focused.

Koolhaus has developed an industry wide reputation for having a strong technical team. We are looking for a talented Technical Director to not only maintain that reputation but to enhance it further.

The Technical Director’s role is flexible depending upon the requirements and needs of the technical team, project(s) and Koolhaus and include the following:

• Technical Direction & Problem Solving: Support a talented team of programmers in a positive always learning environment by providing a platform for various technical problem solving options and solutions. You are not responsible for all the answers but have a solid intuitive grasp of where the best and quickest solutions may lie.
• Training, Team Building & Leadership: In conjunction with the HR manager and Producer, building and nurturing a world class technical team including hiring, training, personal and professional development, team building and related areas.
• R & D: Drive and oversee Koolhaus’ R & D initiatives including Ai, Machine Learning, AR, etc. including R & D partnerships with universities.
• Project management: surrounding any and all technical areas including project & resource planning, budgeting, technical document and proposal writing and the management of any and all software utilized in the course of administration and development
• Communication: with and across all disciplines and stake holders (Clients, Management, Leads, Art/Design/Sound Teams, etc.)
• IT: oversee and manage the smooth operation of all matters concerning IT including internet networks, IP addresses, security, relationships with service providers, hardware including work station sourcing, assembly, maintenance & replacement, inventory tracking and yearly inventory audits and other related duties.
• Creative Contributions: including game design, game play and original game concept development.
• Other related duties as may be required from time to time
• This opportunity offers a unique position of influence regarding Koolhaus’ current and future company direction.

Requirements

• Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering
• Previous experience as a Senior or Lead Programmer or Technical Director
• At least 4 years of hands on programming in the video game industry using one or more object oriented programming languages such as C/C++, C#, Java, etc..
• Have shipped at least 4 video game titles
• Mobile, PC or console development experience a must
• Experience with a variety of game engines and technologies such as Unity, Unreal, etc.
• Strong, proactive and positive person management skills
• Have at least 3 years of experience directly managing or supervising a team of 5 or more software engineers in the video game industry
• Working knowledge of project management tools such as MS Project, Merlin, MS Excel, etc.
• Organized and detail oriented
• Eligible for or currently hold a Canadian Work Permit (CUSMA/NAFTA/other FTA’s)

Relationships

Reports to: Producer

Compensation

• Competitive salary, benefits, revenue/royalty sharing and stock option package available for the right candidate
• We are no longer working remotely as we’ve found this to be counter productive to the creative process