WORKING AT HEAVY IRON STUDIOS
Heavy Iron is made up of terrific and talented individuals, a great mix of close-knit industry veterans and fresh faced talent. As a member of our development team you’ll have the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment with industry veterans who are accomplished leaders in programming, design, art, animation and production.
We’re proud to say that more than half of our employees have been here for over 5 years. People stay here for a lot of reasons but at the end of the day, it’s about enjoying the people you work with and working on projects you can be proud of.
Our office is conveniently located in Manhattan Beach which offers up many places to enjoy lunch or catch a movie after work.
We also offer year-round fulltime and part-time internships for all disciplines. See below for more information on available intern positions.
AVAILABLE POSITIONS
Heavy Iron Studios is actively looking for a Producer to join our team.
Heavy Iron Studios is looking for a Producer with a passion for video games. The Producer will work with the production team and team leads across all areas of the project to manage the development process, including team scheduling and milestone planning, identifying dependencies and possible workflow blockages, facilitating communication across disciplines and identifying and managing high risk areas of production.
Our culture promotes collaboration, and we enjoy working together. We are always looking for exceptional talent for our team. We want to hear from you if you meet the qualifications and have an interest in working on exciting projects. We pride ourselves on creating quality and timely products for our partners and players.
Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the art, design, programming leads and project management to coordinate, schedule, track, and manage the project’s production requirements to ensure that project tasks are successfully completed on time
- Act as a primary communication bridge between our clients, and our development teams
- Contribute to the development and refinement of the production management processes to increase production efficiency and quality
- Coordinate and communicate both medium–and–long term development plans, as well as day to day tasking, predicting issues and troubleshooting where needed
- Coordinate and align workflow across multi-disciplinary teams
- May lead or assist with managing the dependencies and -development process with internal and external partners including the Audio, Legal, QA, Marketing and outsource groups
Requirements:
- At least 2-4 years of project management experience in PC or console game development, combining experience in industry disciplines, including programming, art, animation, design, or QA
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel in art, design, programming and management
- Experience creating project schedules and monitoring the progress of department milestones and individual tasks against those schedules
- Demonstrated ability to implement and manage appropriate production processes to meet the specific needs of individual teams & projects
- Excellent organization and prioritization skills, attention to detail and the ability to multi-task
- Strong knowledge of MS Office including Excel, Word and Power Point
- Experience managing a team through a minimum of one full cycle of video game development
Pluses:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Ability to identify, anticipate risks, and engage in creative problem solving
- Proactively takes on own initiatives to suggest and improve -project management tools and processes
- Proficiency with JIRA, Confluence and other project management tools and applications
- Development experience as a discipline specific contributor (artist, designer, programmer or QA tester)
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with ‘Producer‘ in subject.
Heavy Iron Studios is actively looking for a Senior Game Programmer to join our team.
Game Programmers are responsible for a broad range of game programming duties, from writing low-level platform-specific code and extending our game engine, to graphics programming and implementing and tuning gameplay features. We are looking for talented C/C++ programmers who will fit well with our team and help us make great games.
Our culture promotes collaboration and we enjoy working together. We are always looking for exceptional talent for our team. We want to hear from you if you meet the qualifications and have an interest in working on exciting projects. We pride ourselves on creating quality and timely products for our partners and players.
Requirements:
- Excellent C/C++ skills
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Computer Science, a related discipline or 4 years of equivalent relevant work experience
- At least three previously shipped titles
- Good all-around knowledge of computer game technology
- Strong problem solving ability
- Thorough understanding of 3D math
- Self-motivated with an ability to take initiative
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, in a team environment
- A passion to create and to work with creative teammates to build something outstanding
Pluses:
- Experience with Unreal UDK and Unreal Script programming
- Proficiency in C#
- Experience developing on console or mobile in C++
- Graphics programming experience using DirectX 12, OpenGL, Vulkan or Metal
- Experience designing and implementing user interfaces and tools
- Experience writing networked game code and systems
- Experience using game middleware solutions
- Knowledge of low-level programming such as graphics shaders, multithreading and optimization
- Experience using Maya, the Maya API and MEL/Python scripting
- A passion for games
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with ‘Senior Game Programming Position’ in subject.
Heavy Iron Studios is actively looking for a Senior Game Programmer to join our Unity development team.
Game Programmers are responsible for a broad range of game programming duties, from writing gameplay and user interface code, to creating tools and graphics programming. We are looking for talented Unity C# programmers who will fit well with our team and help us make great games.
Our culture promotes collaboration and we enjoy working together. We are always looking for exceptional talent for our team. We want to hear from you if you meet the qualifications and have an interest in working on exciting projects. We pride ourselves on creating quality and timely products for our partners and players.
Requirements:
- Excellent Unity and C# skills
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Computer Science, a related discipline or 4 years of equivalent relevant work experience
- At least three previously shipped titles
- Good all-around knowledge of computer game technology
- Strong problem solving ability
- Thorough understanding of 3D math
- Self-motivated with an ability to take initiative
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, in a team environment
- A passion to create and to work with creative teammates to build something outstanding
Pluses:
- Proficiency in C++
- Experience developing on console or mobile
- Experience designing and implementing user interfaces and tools
- Experience writing networked game code and systems
- Experience using game middleware solutions
- Knowledge of low-level programming such as graphics shaders, multithreading and optimization
- Experience using Maya, the Maya API and MEL/Python scripting
- Experience with Unreal UDK and Unreal Blueprint programming
- A passion for games
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with ‘Senior Unity Programmer Position’ in subject.
Game Programmers are responsible for a broad range of game programming duties, from writing low-level platform-specific code and extending our game engine, to graphics programming and implementing and tuning gameplay features. We are looking for talented C/C++ programmers who will fit well with our team and help us make great games.
Our culture promotes collaboration and we enjoy working together. We are always looking for exceptional talent for our team. We want to hear from you if you meet the qualifications and have an interest in working on exciting projects. We pride ourselves on creating quality and timely products for our partners and players.
Requirements:
- Excellent C/C++ skills
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Computer Science, a related discipline or 4 years of equivalent relevant work experience
- At least two previously shipped titles
- Strong problem solving ability
- Thorough understanding of 3D math
- Self-motivated with an ability to take initiative
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, in a team environment
- A passion to create and to work with creative teammates to build something outstanding
Pluses:
- Experience with Unreal UDK and Unreal Script programming
- Good all-around knowledge of computer game technology
- Proficiency in C#
- Experience developing on console or mobile in C++
- Graphics programming experience using DirectX 12, OpenGL, Vulkan or Metal
- Experience designing and implementing user interfaces and tools
- Experience writing networked game code and systems
- Experience using game middleware solutions
- Knowledge of low-level programming such as graphics shaders, multithreading and optimization
- Experience using Maya, the Maya API and MEL/Python scripting
- A passion for games
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with ‘Game Programming Position’ in subject.
Heavy Iron Studios is actively looking for an Associate Game Programmer to join our team.
Game Programmers are responsible for a broad range of game programming duties, from writing low-level platform-specific code and extending our game engine, to graphics programming and implementing and tuning gameplay features. We are looking for talented C/C++ programmers who will fit well with our team and help us make great games.
Our culture promotes collaboration and we enjoy working together. We are always looking for exceptional talent for our team. We want to hear from you if you meet the qualifications and have an interest in working on exciting projects. We pride ourselves on creating quality and timely products for our partners and players.
Requirements:
- Excellent C/C++ skills
- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Computer Science, a related discipline or 4 years of equivalent relevant work experience
- Strong problem solving ability
- Self-motivated with an ability to take initiative
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, in a team environment
- A passion to create and to work with creative teammates to build something outstanding
Pluses:
- Experience with Unreal UDK and Unreal Script programming
- Good all-around knowledge of computer game technology
- Proficiency in C#
- Experience developing on console or mobile in C++
- Graphics programming experience using DirectX 12, OpenGL, Vulkan or Metal
- Thorough understanding of 3D math
- Experience writing networked game code and systems
- Knowledge of low-level programming such as graphics shaders, multithreading and optimization
- A passion for games
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with ‘Associate Game Programming Position’ in subject.
We have full and part time, paid and unpaid internships available during the school term and summer breaks.
We are looking for Software Engineering / Computer Science students interested in video game programming with solid C/C++ skills, who can take on any technical challenges from bug fixing to implementing new game features.
Internship Qualifications
- Candidates should be recent graduates or full-time students enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program
- Applicants must be available to intern a minimum of 3 days per week during regular working hours. While we are flexible, scheduled workdays should remain consistent — as in not changing every couple of weeks
- The duration of the internship is also flexible, but Heavy Iron expects at least an 8-week commitment from our interns
- All interns are required to provide their own transportation to/from our offices in Los Angeles, near the LAX airport. There are no relocation reimbursements or housing stipends for any of the intern positions
- Candidates must be able to provide documentation showing that they are authorized to work in the United States
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with “Heavy Iron Game Programmer Internship” in the subject.
We are currently looking for talented 3D artists, and we look forward to hearing from you if you meet the qualifications.
3D artists at Heavy Iron Studios are expected to be versatile and take on a variety of tasks. These tasks include the creation of environment, vehicle, prop and character assets, as well as lighting, level management and optimization.
Requirements
- Expert knowledge of the following software:
- Maya
- Photoshop
- ZBrush
- 3D painting software such as Substance Painter
- Proficient at generating normal maps from high poly models
- Experienced with game engines such as UE4 or Unity
- Skilled at creating PBR materials
- At least two previously shipped titles
- Strong problem-solving ability
- Self-motivated with an ability to take initiative
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal
- Willingness to receive direction from the Art Director and Lead Artist.
- Strong grasp of art principles and game development pipelines and practices.
- Understanding of source control via Perforce or equivalent.
- Ability to meet deadlines under tight schedules
- Effective communication skills.
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with “3-D Artist Position” in Subject.
We are currently looking for talented Technical Artists, and we look forward to hearing from you if you meet the qualifications.
The Technical Artist acts as a bridge between Artists and Programmers and ensures art assets can be easily integrated into a game without sacrificing either the overall artistic vision or exceeding the technical limits of the chosen platform. We are looking for an excited team member to be responsible for the spearheading of cutting-edge real-time graphics and technology development. This role helps develop Heavy Iron’s future technology by continually looking for areas to enhance the team’s current methods of content creation with innovative and optimized workflows and pipelines.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include
- Research and integrate new technology into art production methods
- Help conquer complex animation and visual effect content challenges
- Develop the appropriate technical tools, shaders and pipelines to be leveraged by artists and animators
- Optimization of shaders and lighting
- Integrate and set up art resources for game use
- Develop and maintain expert knowledge of software used by art team
- Provides documentation and mentors teams to fully take advantage of our tools and technology
- Demonstrate new workflows and visual improvements
- Keeps current with the technological developments and advancements throughout the game industry
- Understands memory and frame-rate budgets for console platforms
- Ability to meet deadlines under tight schedules.
- Willingness to receive direction and work closely with the team.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university; or two to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Strong knowledge of physically based shading and lighting
- Strong knowledge of cutting-edge content creation pipelines
- Strong grasp of mathematical concepts and analysis techniques as they apply to technical art
- Experience in node-based shader networks such as those found in Unreal Engine
- Experience in Substance Designer/Painter, Houdini, and Maya
- Working knowledge of HLSL and Python
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with “Technical Artist Position” in Subject.
We are currently looking for talented UI artists, and we look forward to hearing from you if you meet the qualifications.
Responsibilities
- Create concepts, mockups and pitches for in-game User Interfaces, including features, flow, layout, design and iconography.
- Execution of all aspects of in-game User Interface from layout mockups, wireframes, style-guides, and motion graphics.
- Collaborate closely with graphic artists, UX / game designers and engineers to ensure a consistent, high quality user experience.
- Author and implement final UI assets that conform to the established art style and design vision.
- Work directly with software engineers to ensure UI assets are created in a consistent and thoughtful manner to fit memory and rendering performance constraints.
Requirements
- Minimum of one shipped video game title, preferably mobile.
- Strong knowledge and demonstrative skills within Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash/After Effects and other UI authoring software.
- Working knowledge of game engines, specifically Unity and UE4.
- Experience with motion graphics.
- Awareness of current digital graphic design trends.
- Strong grasp of art principles and game development pipelines and practices.
- Portfolio demonstrating a breadth of visual creativity in both interface and graphic design.
- Effective communication skills.
Pluses
- Minimum of three shipped video game titles
- 3D and/or VFX experience
- 3+ years of UI art/design experience
- Experience in XAML, HTML5
- Avid gamer
To apply, please submit your cover letter and current resume by emailing us at [email protected] with “UI Artist Position” in Subject.
BENEFITS & PERKS
Benefits Offered by Heavy Iron
- Medical, dental and vision benefits insurance subsidized by Heavy Iron
- Basic Life Insurance, AD&D insurance 100% paid by Heavy Iron
- Long-term (LTD) disability insurance 100% paid by Heavy iron
- Flexible spending account (For medical and dependent care)
- Paid vacation and sick time, designated paid holidays as well as other paid time off
- Principal 401K Plan
- Direct Deposit
Perks
- Kitchen stocked with snacks, juice, sodas and other eats
- Company events throughout the year like movie screenings, picnics and festive parties
- Only a 10 minute drive to Manhattan Beach & Pier
- Company paid employee parking, which includes overnight parking during short business or personal trips. LAX is just a 10-minute Uber/Lyft/taxi ride away
- Opportunity to submit original game ideas for future project consideration
