Executive in Residence Master’s of Engineering in Game Design, Development, and Innovation

Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States of America [map]

finished ( 2025/07/30 03:59 AM UTC , finished 2026/08/23 03:59 AM UTC , listed until 2026/02/22 04:59 AM UTC )

Position

Description:

Position : Duke-GSF-GDDIEIR [#30259]
Position Title: Executive in Residence Position Type: Non-regular rank faculty Position Location: Durham, North Carolina 27708, United States of America [map]
Subject Areas: Engineering / Software Engineering
Artificial Intelligence / Games and Economic Theories
Software Development/Programming
Computer Science / Computer Games , Computer Graphics , Education and game design , Game Design , Game Theory and Economics , gaming
Computer Programming Appl Deadline: finished ( 2025/07/30 03:59 AM UTC , finished 2026/08/23 03:59 AM UTC , listed until 2026/02/22 04:59 AM UTC )

Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering isseeking a talented, driven, and innovative Executive in Residence (EIR) tosupport all aspects of the Master of Engineering in Game Design, Development& Innovation (GDDI) program. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Durham, NC. The program is growing quickly and is designed to prepare students for leadership in the game, simulation, and interactive media industries through hands-on studio experience, technical mastery, and creative collaboration.

The Executive in Residence will play a central role in both the classroom and the studio work. There is an expectation to teach two courses for each of the fall and spring semesters. This EIR will teach core technical courses, including C++ Programming for Game Development and Game Development using Unreal Engine. In addition, the EIR will also have the opportunity to design and teach one or more electives in areas such as game engines, networking and multiplayer systems, AI in games, computer graphics, and VR/AR, depending on their expertise.

In addition to teaching, the Executive in Residence will serve as a key mentor and technical advisor to student teams throughout their two-year studio capstone experience, which culminates in the development of a market-ready game. The Executive in Residence will collaborate closely with other faculty and mentor coaches to support students in areas such as production planning, design, development, debugging, system architecture, and polishing.

The role also includes responsibility for helping shape and maintain the program’s technical infrastructure, including pipelines for version control, testing, and collaborative development. The Executive in Residence will bring a practitioner’s mindset to the program, ensuring that students are learning in environments and with tools that mirror real-world professional settings. This individual will play a crucial role in helping students bridge the gap between academic preparation and industry expectations.

Beyond the classroom and studio, the Executive in Residence will help grow the program’s industry network by maintaining and building relationships with game studios, tech companies, and adjacent sectors. These relationships will support career outcomes, guest lectures, project feedback, and mentorship opportunities. The Executive in Residence will also participate in student showcase events and immersive residencies, often facilitating real-world challenges, simulations, or game jams that reinforce classroom learning and foster a sense of community.

Ideal candidates will have at least ten years of experience in technical roles within the game industry or a related field. Deep expertise in C++ and Unreal Engine is essential, and additional experience in areas like networking, graphics, VR/AR, or engine development is highly desirable. Candidates should also demonstrate strong…