2K Games is looking for talented people who are passionate about games to fill the following roles in its Northern California office in Novato.

If you would like to apply, please send your CV (and sample code or demo reel when appropriate) to Brooke Grabrian: brooke.grabrian@2kgames.com


Programmer - 2K Marin, Novato CA
Job Type: Full Time

Got what it takes to produce a cutting-edge AAA title? Be part of our passionate team and strive for excellence.

2K Games seeks the talents of a seasoned and passionate programmer who enjoys a collaborative and creative work environment and is looking to work with like minded professionals to create a truly amazing game.

Summary: Develop, write, implement, and debug code for new and upgraded software products.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Write code that fulfills the functional, graphic and technical requirements of the project.
  • Participate in the design of products and perform some testing activities.
  • Provide the Lead Programmer with feedback regarding the time allotted to assigned tasks.
  • Program tools and utilities to support work on projects.
  • Develop and maintain plug-ins and stand-alone applications used in the creation and preprocessing of geometry, textures, animation data, scripts, etc.
  • Work with proprietary existing software technology and build new technology in order to fulfill the project’s technical requirements.
  • Adhere to the project’s coding standards.
  • Research coding techniques and algorithms in order to keep current on technological developments and advancements in the game industry.
  • Identify technical and developmental risks/obstacles and generate solutions to overcome identified risks.

Required Experience and Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, related discipline, or relevant work experience.
  • Expertise with the C/C++ programming language along with a strong familiarity with OO design principles.
  • 2+ years of programming experience on commercial software projects.
  • Commitment to code quality, documentation and sound testing procedures.
  • Ability to learn and master new technologies and code.
  • Ability to work independently and efficiently under deadlines.
Additional Experience and Skills (highly desired):
  • Experience developing for next-generation game consoles (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii).
  • One or more shipped PC or console game titles, FPS or RPG titles .
  • Experience working with the Unreal Engine.
  • Experience working on multi-platform software projects.

Audio Director - 2K Marin, Novato CA
Job Type: Full Time

Is creating amazing and immersive soundscapes your passion? Looking for a great working environment that appreciates the subtle emotion and raw thrills that incredible audio can bring to the gaming experience?

2K Games is proud of its reputation for releasing games with award-winning, high-quality sound design. This is a unique opportunity help us continue to raise the bar with our future products. As Audio Director of 2K Marin, you will be responsible for all the audio components of all of 2K Marin’s products including in-game sound effects, music, and VO. You will oversee the in-house team to develop these resources, work with external contractors, and, of course, get to create some yourself. If you have several years experience in the games industry as an Audio Director, a love for creating great sounds, and a desire to excel in your field, then we may have a job for you!

Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with game producers and designers to form a clear vision for the audioscapes of 2K Marin’s titles.
  • Analyze the audio requirements of current and upcoming titles on all platforms, and clearly define any necessary additions or modifications to the existing audio pipeline(s).
  • Schedule and manage asset lists to make sure all milestone requirements are met.
  • Hire and supervise external contractors to deliver quality assets.
  • Generate assets including music and/or sound effects.
  • Integrate and supervise integration of assets into the games.
  • Oversee the final mix of all in-game and cut-scene assets.
Required Experience and Skills:
  • At least five years working in sound for interactive entertainment products.
  • At least one shipped title in the role of Audio Director.
  • Expert working knowledge of current audio design hardware and software.
  • Ability to work creatively and flexibly to maximize the effectiveness of existing audio tools and capabilities.
  • Ability to communicate clearly about audio design and integration tool issues.
  • Ability to critique and direct production of voice samples, music and other assets.
  • Experience overseeing contractors and other audio technicians.
Additional Experience and Skills (desired but not necessary):
  • Musical composition and recording skills.
  • Experience casting and directing professional voice actors.

To apply for this position you should submit:

  • Resume indicating relevant experience.
  • A portfolio of game sounds and/or music as appropriate. If in-game, be sure to identify which components you were responsible for.

Applicants for this position must be in or willing to relocate to Novato, CA.k


Technical Director - 2K Marin, Novato CA
Job Type: Full Time

Got what it takes to help drive a cutting-edge AAA title? Be part of our dedicated team and strive for excellence.

2K Marin seeks the talents of a seasoned, yet passionate, technical director who enjoys a collaborative and creative work environment and is looking to work with like-minded professionals to create truly amazing experiences.

Summary:

Provide technical direction for the company across multiple projects, while managing a core tech team focused on improving and extending the existing engine technology.

Responsibilities:

  • Maintain overall code quality; ensuring that code is cross platform, reusable, and testable.
  • Proactively identify the tools and processes that will be needed throughout development.
  • Lead and manage the core technology team, helping to drive rendering and core engine improvements.
  • Be responsible for the overall technical design direction of the project, influencing and approving overall architecture.
  • Ensure the overall performance of the project is up to minimum standards, define metrics, and sets targets.
  • Oversee all internal and external project dependencies, risks and critical paths while ensuring contingency plans are in place.
  • Recommend solutions, and approve plans and timelines, while understanding overall impact to all stakeholders.
  • Review programming code for quality, consistency, and compliance with the TDD and established protocol.
  • Identify technical problems, and work with producers, leads and other directors to solve them.
  • Keep up with current advances in technology and propose new innovations that may benefit the project.
  • Provide troubleshooting, debugging and problem-solving assistance to members of the programming team.
  • Work closely with other directors and leads to ensure cooperation between the design, programming and art disciplines.
Required Experience and Skills:
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, related discipline, or relevant work experience.
  • Expertise with the C/C++ programming language along with a strong familiarity with OO design principles.
  • 8+ years of programming experience on commercial software projects.
  • 2+ shipped titles with management or lead responsibilities, specifically in the game industry.
  • Commitment to code quality, documentation and sound testing procedures.
  • In-depth working knowledge of several core engine systems, i.e. graphics, animation, audio, etc.
  • Ability to lead, manage, and mentor the work of others.
  • Excellent project management and time management skills.
Additional Experience and Skills (highly desired):
  • Experience developing for next-generation game consoles (PS3, XBOX 360, Wii).
  • 4+ shipped PC or console titles on FPS or RPG games.
  • Experience working with external development teams.
  • Experience with Unreal Engine development.
  • Experience working on multi-platform software projects.

UI Artist - 2K Marin, Novato CA
Job Type: Full Time

Some of the people responsible for creating the award-winning "BioShock" are starting up a new studio in northern California called "2K Marin". We are looking for a UI artist for our upcoming, unannounced project. To qualify, you probably should 1) remember that laughing skull that exploded into hundreds of polygons from the hacking scene in "Weird Science", and 2) you likely think it is hilarious, but only because you thought it was awesome when you were nine. If you don't meet this stringent requirement, we will still consider you if you are 1) interested in the meticulous details pertaining to artistic representation of information on console videogames, 2) a really great graphic designer and 3) Able to transform our game designers' boring spreadsheet looking specs of meta-game menu and machine functionalities into awesome-looking and fun-playing HUD elements, game menus, electro-mechanical doohickeys, and interactive map screens.

Responsibilities:

  • Help UI Designer visualize the various interface systems in our game
  • Sketch/Paint/Concept ideas for cool-looking menus and HUD elements
  • Produce 3D and 2D art for all elements of a console game interface
  • Script simple animations and effects for menus and interface elements
  • Work with Art Director, Lead Artist to ensure artistic unity with the entire project
Required Experience:
  • Experience designing interfaces – Games, web, kiosks, etc
  • Experience with Flash
  • Understanding limitations of information display and interactivity on today's game consoles
  • Ability to take direction well
  • Able to respond elegantly to difficult creative changes, often late in the process
  • Self-Motivated towards solving creative problems
  • Able to communicate with other artists visually using quick thumbnail sketches or paintings
  • Should be an active gamer with an analytical eye towards details of console game interfaces
Extra Credit:
  • Experience with the Unreal Engine.
  • Fine Art Background
  • Fluency with 3D Studio Max and Photoshop
  • 2+ years game industry experience

Level Designer - 2K Marin, Novato CA
Job Type: Full Time

Love. It is a primal, uncultured energy, shaping you in ways that reason can’t touch. Kind of a gushy, melodramatic word to paint on a NOW HIRING sign, right?

Sure – but for you, this is an emotional science. Games have changed you, and now you’re just itching to return the favor. Maybe the raw potential of simulated experience fascinated you, or the rules and dynamics of play managed to reach into your skull and grab hold in ways that other media couldn’t. However the mark was made, you’ve been a game designer ever since.

But all love has a price. Games make you a little crazy from time to time, because you know how much better they could be. We know how you feel. Come play with us.

SUMMARY: Design and implement innovative and compelling play experiences, individually and collaboratively.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Contribute regularly to ongoing discussions covering feature design, scenario or event scripting, high concept and product positioning, fiction and mythos, or systems tuning and game balance
  • Directly implement original game content in one or more of the above categories using both proprietary and commercial tools
  • Take creative responsibility for the design and execution of one or more sequences of play such as a level, world region, or scenario
  • Author or revise internal design documentation, including feature specifications, internal content walk-through guides, and product post-mortem analyses
  • Integrate feedback from design leads, focus tests, and the QA group
  • Play and evaluate both internal and competing products regularly and provide comparative analysis
  • Lead or participate in cross-disciplinary implementation teams involving artists, programmers, and / or producers
  • Coordinate with the production group to maintain a consistent rate of output, schedule current and future tasks, and estimate time costs associated with deliverables

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and experience:

  • Previous experience with a gameplay scripting language or high level programming language.
  • Experience working with recent generation game console technology (Xbox, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 or PLAYSTATION 3) and PLAYSTATION 3 experience is required.
  • Unreal Engine 3 experience preferred.
  • Previous basic 3DSMax and Photoshop experience is desired.
Skills:
  • Must have strong creative and problem solving skills.
  • Strong communication and project management skills.
  • Ability to learn new software tools and technologies.
  • Ability to work in a team setting, under deadlines and time constraints.

Level Architect - 2K Marin, Novato CA
Job Type: Full Time

So...when you were a kid, and you were building forts, did you prefer to use scotch tape or the family's World Book Encyclopedia volumes to hold the blankets and sheets in place? Would you be excited to build a fort that was supposed to be a space station? How about an Art-Deco Utopian metropolis at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean? We are recruiting Level Builders to help us build levels for our next, unannounced project. Our Level Architects will work with a Level Designer and a Level Modeler to brainstorm, concept, and create levels for a next-gen console game project.

As a Level Architect, you will be responsible for managing the artistic side of individual level construction as well as modeling and texturing architectural and decorative assets to assemble your level with. You will be paired with a Level Modeler who will be assigned to help you with modeling and texturing as the level construction process progresses. Finally, you will light and optimize your level. If you love building forts and you play well with others, we wanna talk to you. Oh yeah, we use Unreal and 3D Studio Max these days instead of bed sheets and Scotch tape.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Function as part of a three-person team tasked with building large levels for a next-gen console title: Level Builder, Level Modeler, and Level Designer
  • Collaborate with and task your paired Level Modeler in asset creation
  • Sketch/Paint/Concept ideas for 3D game locations
  • Work out the details and concept modular systems of architecture for levels
  • Produce 3D architectural assets in 3D Studio Max
  • Layout and light final levels in Unreal
  • Optimize final levels for performance
  • Work with Level Designer to make gameplay and 3D space function harmoniously
  • Work with Art director, Lead Artist to ensure artistic unity with the entire project

Required Skills:

  • Possess a wealth of experience modeling and lighting assets and spaces for games
  • Able to collaborate with production staff from other departments on a peer level
  • Able to collaborate with and task more junior members of the art department
  • Can take direction well
  • Able to respond elegantly to difficult creative changes, often late in the process
  • Self-motivated towards solving creative problems
  • Able to communicate with other artists visually using quick thumbnail sketches or paintings
  • Understand game-related concepts related to 3D space and possess a keen interest in the medium of videogames

Extra Credit:

  • Experience with the Unreal Engine
  • Fluency with 3D Studio Max and Photoshop
  • Background in architecture or lighting
  • 3+ years game industry experience

Producer - 2K Marin, Novato CA
Job Type: Full Time

At 2K Marin, we believe that a producer's job is to bring out the best in the team, enabling them to do great work by anticipating and resolving problems, preventing confusion and delay, setting an example of dedication and talent, and acting as a provider of tasty treats.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Manage relationship with external development team(s) from concept through completion
  • Identify risks and put in place risk management strategies for internal and external development.
  • Handle publisher-side production coordination for areas such as focus testing, outsourcing, QA, localization, packaging, third party development.
  • Work with leads and stakeholders on an internal team to build quality-focused and cost-aware project plans
  • Maintain and update project schedules to reflect current project realities
  • Devise and establish development and company processes that nurture, challenge, and grow the team to reach their highest potential.
  • Clearly communicate tasks and responsibilities to staff and external contractors.
  • Facilitate communication and cooperation within the project team and between internal and external teams.
  • Collaborate with team leads and goal-based “strike teams” to triage, prioritize, and delegate project tasks
  • Manage development across time zones and studios to find the most graceful solutions to the personal and management challenge of coordinating teams.
  • Travel for short periods of time to external studios.
  • Coordinate with leads and HR staff in order to grow the studio to take on new challenges and expand its development expertise and capacity.

Qualifications:

Education and experience:

  • 3+ years experience in the games industry.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead the development of great products, both critically and commercially.
  • Shipped at least 2 titles in a producer, development director, or project lead role.
  • Experience managing external development projects
  • Experience shipping console game titles including dealing with manufacturer approval processes.
  • Experience with scheduling tools and managing a project budget.
  • Experience managing conflict.
  • Experience in risk analysis and mitigation.
  • Experience managing a large scale software development project desired.
  • Experience with agile development methodology desired.

Skills:

  • Excellent project management skills and verbal and written communication skills.
  • Excellent people skills including the ability to motivate people and inspire their creative talents.
  • Good negotiating skills and ability to maintain a professional bearing both internally and with clients.
  • Strong problem solving skills.