VR Programmer/Developer

Job Profile:

Applications Developer 3

Job Family:

IT Applications

Time Type:

Full time

Apply before 11:59 PM Arizona time the day before the posted End Date.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Job Description:

Are you an experienced programmer who goes beyond writing code and uses Unity 3D to craft engaging, atmospheric experiences? Are you excited about developing innovative educational products and solutions using virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies? Do you have strong artistic and creative sensibilities, with an understanding of immersive experiences, interactive design, gameplay, and user experience? If so, keep reading below for this VR Programmer/Developer opportunity!

ASU EdPlus is a dynamic unit of Arizona State University focused on the design and scalable delivery of digital teaching and learning models to increase student success and reduce barriers to achievement in higher education. We advance the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the local, national, and international communities served by ASU.

Curious about what it’s like to work at EdPlus? Watch this short video, then explore more stories on the EdPlus at ASU YouTube channel.

Dreamscape Learn (DSL) is a collaborative venture between Dreamscape Immersive and Arizona State University, merging the most advanced experiential pedagogy with the entertainment industry’s best cinematic storytelling. Our mission is to deliver unique virtual reality and 2D labs and full course experiences that are provably efficacious, readily scalable, and emotionally engaging.

We’re seeking a creative, self-motivated, and collaborative VR Programmer/Developer with a passion for interaction design, technical art, and immersive world-building to join our Dreamscape Learn team. Working under the guidance of senior staff, you will contribute to a wide range of projects, both independently and in collaboration with artists, developers, project leads, and stakeholders. Using emerging technology tools and AI-driven workflows, you will help create story-driven experiences that transform creative concepts into best-in-class VR applications.

Essential Duties:

• Systems & Interaction Design: Develop robust C# systems for VR mechanics, creating interactions that feel intuitive, tactile, and responsive.
• Creative Prototyping to Product: Transform sketches, storyboards, and animatics into playable prototype levels to full immersive experiences that demonstrate gameplay concepts and user experience.
• Cinematics & Experience Pacing: Use Unity Timeline and sequencing tools to create narrative-driven moments and shape the pacing, rhythm, and flow of immersive experiences.
• Creative Collaboration and Communication: Partner with artists, designers, and project leads to translate creative briefs and storyboards into polished, functional VR prototypes that combine strong gameplay feel with cinematic presentation.
• Problem Solving & Feasibility Support: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop creative solutions, identify production constraints, and provide technical feasibility recommendations.
• Experience Builds & Review: Package, deploy, and maintain VR builds for internal reviews and stakeholder feedback, ensuring features are stable, playable, and presentation-ready.
• Core Development: Work closely with team leads to develop new gameplay systems, create internal development tools, and resolve bugs to support ongoing production.
• Technology Integration & Testing: Evaluate and integrate new SDKs, tools, and platform updates while collaborating with the team to solve technical challenges and improve project infrastructure.
• Mentorship & Academic Integration: Demonstrate the ability to mentor, lead, provide feedback, and professional guidance toward continuous growth within a fast-paced production environment.
• General: Assume or coordinate other duties or projects as assigned or directed.

NOTE: This is an in-person, hybrid position. You must be able to reliably commute to Tempe, Arizona.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, game development, or a related field,
• Expert-level experience developing VR experiences and interactions with Unity 3D and game engine development, including extensive experience with Unity Timeline or similar cinematic sequencing tools.
• Experience developing and integrating art, gameplay, and functionality directly in-engine, including assets, animation, audio, VFX & UI/UX.
• Evidence of strong C# programming skills and understanding of object-oriented and/or data-oriented programming.
• Experience working with virtual reality headsets and hardware.
• Experience using version control systems such as Git, Perforce, Unity Version Control (Plastic) and/or Bitbucket.
• Evidence of mobile VR Optimization with 3D assets, textures, materials, shaders, and draw calls; rework VFX and particle systems; and implement light-baking to improve rendering performance, maintain visual quality, and achieve stable frame rates on mobile and standalone VR devices.
• Experience leveraging agentic coding tools and AI-assisted development workflows to support rapid prototyping, debugging, automation, and implementation of interactive VR systems and pipelines.
• Demonstrated familiarity with project management and collaboration tools such as Notion, Jira, ShotGrid, or Trello.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly adapt to new technologies, workflows, and creative direction.
• Evidence of strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and within collaborative teams as well as across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated passion for building engaging, immersive, and accessible educational experiences.
• Evidence of strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A portfolio or links to relevant projects demonstrating your programming, Unity 3D, VR/AR development, interaction design, or technical art skills may be required.

Salary & Benefits:

$90,000 - $100,000 per year; DOE

ASU offers a total compensation package that includes valuable employee benefits. See the ASU Benefits website to explore options.

• Healthcare
• Financial Security
• Retirement
• Family Resources
• Tuition Reduction (eligible ASU Employee, their dependents and spouse)
• Discounts

Working Environment: You are a part of EdPlus; however, your desk will be in the workspace at Creativity Commons on the Tempe campus with the Dreamscape Learn team. 

ASU EdPlus supports flexible work options, ranging from alternate to remote hybrid work schedules, subject to approvals per ASU policy. (This is an in-person, hybrid position.) 

Applicant must be eligible to work in the United States. ASU EdPlus will not be a sponsor for this position.

Department Statement:

As a central enterprise unit for ASU, ASU EdPlus supports the university charter by focusing on the design and scalable delivery of digital teaching and learning models to increase student success and reduce barriers to achievement in higher education.

ASU EdPlus defines itself through a culture of curiosity, risk-taking, and refusing to accept the status quo. Our employees are valued, respected, and encouraged to be their unique selves. We know that our ability to deliver high-quality services and educational experiences is strengthened by our culture of innovation, driving outcomes through serving learners, achieving milestones, striving for excellence, solving problems, embracing urgency, and being bold.

ASU EdPlus

Driving Requirement:

Driving is not required for this position.

Location:

Campus: Tempe

Funding:

No Federal Funding

Instructions to Apply:

Current employees, student workers seeking staff opportunities, and students applying for student worker positions must apply directly through the Workday Jobs Hub.

To be considered, your application must include all of the following attachments:

• Cover letter
• Resume or CV

Multiple documents may be uploaded in the attachments section. Alternatively, applicants may combine all required materials into a single PDF for submission. Please ensure uploaded documents are clearly labeled and include your name.

Please ensure your resume includes all employment information in month and year format, for example 6/04 to 8/14, along with job title, job duties, and employer name for each position. Your resume should clearly demonstrate how your experience and background meet the minimum and desired qualifications for this position. Incomplete applications or missing required materials may not be considered.

Important: Do not withdraw your application to make edits. Once an application is withdrawn, it cannot be edited, reactivated, or replaced with a new submission. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact The Office of Human Resources Talent Acquisition before the posting close date.

Graduate Assistant, Intern and part-time positions are counted as half time for experience equivalency, meaning one year equals six months of experience.

Only electronic applications will be accepted for this position. By submitting an application, you confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete.

ASU Statement:

Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 100,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions inclusive excellence, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.

ASU is a tobacco-free university. For details visit https://wellness.asu.edu/explore-wellness/body/alcohol-and-drugs/tobacco

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Notice of Availability of the ASU Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:

In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.

Relocation Assistance – For information about schools, housing child resources, neighborhoods, hospitals, community events, and taxes, visit https://cfo.asu.edu/az-resources.

ASU’s comprehensive benefits package is a key part of your total compensation. Visit the ASU Compensation Estimator

Employment Verification Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

Background Check Statement:

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

Fingerprint Check Statement:

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.