4 x Software Engineer contract at EA Melbourne, Visceral Games

Location: Australia - Melbourne
Studio: Visceral Games
Role: Software Engineer
Specialty: Generalist Engineer - Temp 7 month contract position
Link: https://jobs.ea.com/search/view.do?id=a0z50000000KwFuAAK

EA & VISCERAL GAMES

Visceral Games is EA’s longest running development studio. With offices in Redwood Shores, California and Melbourne, Australia our teams work in a global partnership to create best-in-breed action games on the Xbox 360 and PS3. Our relentless focus on excellence spawned the breakthrough, award-winning franchise Dead Space™ and Dante’s Inferno™.

EA was founded 26 years ago by individuals with a deep passion for making games. Many things have changed over the years as the gaming industry—and the company—has expanded immensely, but we are still driven by the same passion for developing, publishing, and distributing the world’s best games. Our history has been one of great success, and our future looks even brighter. Gaming has come a long way from Pac-Man & Space Invaders to modern EA Favorites like Burnout, Battlefield, Mercenaries, Dead Space, Spore, FIFA, Madden, Need for Speed and the world’s most successful game franchise, The Sims. Fuelled by our talented staff at locations right across the Globe we are united in our passion to continue shaping the future of interactive entertainment. Together we can make a difference.

Role Overview
Software engineers (programmers) are an essential part of the game development team. They bring the vision of the artists and designers to life. They design and write the computer code that runs and controls the game, incorporating and adapting any ready-made code libraries and writing custom code as needed. Programmers deal with ever more complex problems including working on creating realistic Artificial Intelligence; believable Physics; delivering a smooth online gaming experience. Programmers also test the code, fix bugs, and develop customized tools for use by other members of the development team. Due to the complexities of game development, engineers tend to specialize in specific areas of programming.

• Ensuring optimal processor, disk, memory and graphics usage through methods such as the organization of data, effective use of structures and algorithms, sharing calculations over frames to reduce spikes etc.
• Code structure, quality and documentation leading technical aspects of the project, such as streaming systems, collision system, character control, AI, front-end, tools integration and general game code.

What does EA look for?
• 5+ years of game development experience in C++ (and/scripting language experience in LUA TCL, Python)
• Several complete development lifecycles
• Experience writing efficient code on Xbox 360 and or PS3
• Good debugging skills and experience
• Shipped multiplayer games on any platform (PC, XBLA, PSN) will be an advantage
• Experience coding on PCs with Direct 3D/OpenGL or similar API's would be an advantage
• Attention to detail is essential and all tasks must be carried out to the highest standard
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for production of technical documentation and discussing coding issues.
• An ‘ideas person' who will look for creative solutions to technical problems within a deadline
• Mature professional attitude and work ethic in addition to a proactive nature
• Ability to fit into a dynamic and creative team environment.