Gameplay Engineer Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.

Position Information

Proposed Faculty Rank

Department

Department 01508 - Games

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Track

New Position to Begin

New Position to Begin 7/1/2026

Details

The Division of Games at the University of Utah invites applications for non‑tenure‑track career‑line Assistant Professor (Lecturer) in Games to begin Fall 2026. We seek applicants with expertise in at least one area of game engineering. Of particular interest to the Division are candidates with expertise in gameplay programming, engine architecture, real‑time rendering, and/or artificial intelligence. Candidates with expertise in other related areas of game engineering are also welcome to apply.

Successful candidates will share our vision of the power that games hold to transform players, groups, and society. Hires are part of the PRESS PLAY Initiative (https://games.utah.edu/pressplay/), a significant, multi‑year commitment for faculty growth in the Division of Games.

Note: The Division of Games is dedicated to connecting students with industry professionals and contemporary game development practices. For those industry professionals wishing to transition into academia, the Division provides training and onboarding around academic and administrative practices.

Necessary qualifications:

Applicants for career‑line, lecturer positions should hold a terminal degree in a games‑related field with a focus on games engineering (e.g., Ph.D. in Computer Science or Informatics, MEAE engineering track). Successful candidates are expected to teach in‑person courses across the B.S. in Games and the Master’s of Entertainment Arts & Engineering (MEAE) curriculum to students on the Salt Lake City Campus. As such, successful applicants will have a broad knowledge of the practical aspects of game development. In addition to teaching, candidates are also expected to contribute to university and professional service, e.g. collaborative work to expand our curriculum, outreach to local industry and government partners, or recruitment efforts.

Candidates must be able to (1) identify expertise in at least one area of Game Engineering, (2) provide evidence of contribution to creative works in interdisciplinary teams, and (3) demonstrate commitment to the teaching and/or mentoring, especially with undergraduate and graduate students in lectures, seminars, and studio simulations.

Preferred qualifications:

Preference will be given to candidates who, in addition to meeting the necessary qualifications, have recent industry experience in the games industry or related fields.

The Division of Games is a world leader in games education, with consistently top‑ranked programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Utah Games faculty includes artists, social scientists, games studies scholars, designers, and computer scientists who collectively work together on the mission to push the boundaries of what is possible in games. This plurality of backgrounds is one of the core elements within our identity. We strongly value inter‑ and transdisciplinary approaches to research and education, and seek to foster collaboration across the University of Utah. Currently, our faculty sustain ongoing collaborations with other departments within our College of Architecture and Planning, as well as the School of Medicine, the Colleges of Education, Humanities, Science and Engineering, and other campus partners. Additionally, we maintain strong collaborations with the vibrant local game development community and other significant game industry‑wide partners.

Our unit is committed to being a responsible member of our campus and professional community, and we strive to recruit and support faculty committed to acting in furtherance of our unit’s values. Interested candidates may view these values by visiting https://games.utah.edu/utah-games-values/.

If you are interested in joining us to build a culture of academic excellence; to create ideas that advance our understanding of games; to share those ideas with our students, communities, and society; and to apply those ideas to change the world for the better, we strongly encourage you to apply.

The University of Utah is a Carnegie Research I institution located in Salt Lake City, nestled in the breathtaking foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. With thriving arts and culinary scenes, and an exploding high technology sector, Salt Lake City offers a unique mix of urban life juxtaposed with access to remarkable national parks, ski resorts, hiking and climbing, and more, just minutes away from campus.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106.

The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment.

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To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.

• The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post‑retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post‑retirement rules.
• This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

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