Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering is seeking a talented, driven, and innovative Executive in Residence (EIR) to support 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 communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for mentoring emerging developers. An undergraduate and graduate degree are required, with a terminal degree preferred; however, a master’s degree is acceptable. In exceptional cases, significant and highly relevant industry experience may be considered in place of a graduate degree. Prior experience with teaching, training, or curriculum development is a plus, but not required.
This role is part of the Institute for Enterprise Engineering, which supports the development of engineering professionals throughout their careers. The GDDI program embraces a collaborative culture, values real-world impact, and thrives at the intersection of creativity and technology. If you are excited about shaping the next generation of game developers, building innovative learning experiences, and contributing to a program that bridges academia and industry, we encourage you to apply.
Our institutional culture is built upon our history and values. Our shared values: respect, trust, inclusion, discovery and excellence are more than aspirations. They are the beliefs and behaviors that we expect of ourselves and our colleagues. These are the ideals that we must uphold in order to earn and maintain our reputation for quality and integrity, and to inspire confidence with each other, and the world which we both serve and rely on for our future viability. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values. Information about Duke Values and Culture can be found at https://president.duke.edu/values/.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Applicants should submit the materials below through AJO via https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30259. The preferred application date is September 1, 2025, but applications will be considered until a suitable applicant is found. This is a national search and there is a potential for relocation assistance for the selected candidate.
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30259 to complete your application:
• Cover letter
• Teaching Statement, including examples of course topics the candidate could consider teaching, approach to creating an exemplary classroom environment and instructional approaches to optimize student learning.
• Statement of how you will foster a culture of community and belonging in the learning and research environments. Previous experience in these areas should be included.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Three references (names and email addresses only)