Lead Creative Technologist
Description
ESI Design, a NBBJ Studio, transforms places into experiences that drive excitement and create a unique invitation for personal interaction and empathy. We experiment and collaborate to develop new ideas for high-profile, visionary clients. We are a community of makers that design, develop and construct large-scale, novel ideas. As a studio within the highly regarded NBBJ Design firm, we are uniquely positioned within the experience industry. We partner with pioneers like Barclays, eBay, Beacon Capital Partners, the Statue of Liberty Museum, and WarnerMedia to create solutions for tomorrow guided by our vision: we design for life.
ESI Design’s approach to experience design combines the physical, digital and behavioral to create memorable moments. We believe the most compelling experiences are born from interdisciplinary collaboration. As a result, our eclectic team and user-first approach allows us to provide a range of experience solutions and a depth of service that’s unique in the world of design. We don’t do off-the-rack solutions – we create custom experiences that are tailor made for every individual client’s needs.
The role at a glance:
The Lead Creative Technologist at ESI Design needs to be able to translate concepts from creative ideas into realistic, reliable and efficient executions. The candidate should be able to execute work themselves as well as lead a larger team to success.
For this role, we are looking for someone at a senior level with solid software development and technical system design skills. You should have a robust knowledge of creative code frameworks and should be comfortable with APIs, sensors, data input/output, and related technologies.
- Working individually or leading teams of developers, interfacing with production, project management and the visual design department from concept to delivery
- Collaborate with the internal multi-disciplinary design team including physical designers, visual designers, content strategists and technical systems designers
- Work on the early phases of a project to research and determine technical execution methods and feasibility
- Contribute creative and technical solutions to projects
- Take the lead on identifying technical project requirements and feature sets
- Coordinate and follow up with other production and tech team members to ensure hardware requirements are met to fulfill the requirements of a project
- Research and recommend the appropriate development platform for a given project
- Take ownership over the technical parts of projects and check in regularly with Project Management and other team members to ensure all aspects of the project are covered sufficiently
- Contribute to and lead on site installation of completed projects
- Write maintenance documentation for completed projects and internal projects
- Work on multiple projects at a time
- Coordinate with Project Management to ensure projects are staffed appropriately and have the correct skillsets
- Software development and oversight of other developers creating software on a given project
- Present ideas and designs verbally and visually; both internally and directly to clients
- Contribute to ideas and development for internal R&D projects
- This job will require travel
What you will need to succeed:
- 8-10 years of professional experience in Experience Design leading teams and delivering projects
- Stellar portfolio of personal and professional work
- Proven ability to plan and execute both traditional media production projects and software applications
- Understanding of physical and pervasive computer technologies and development of alternative interface designs
- Experience in large-scale project planning, management and production
- Understanding of integration of technology into a physical environment
- Deep understanding of different platforms and emerging technologies, coupled with the capability to recommend the right one to meet the creative and strategic need
- Command of industry standard IA documentation, experience in user interface and experience design documentation
- On the ground experience with ALL of the following fields - experiential/immersive, digital design, technology startup, emergent technology and art
- Well versed in the range of software platforms available and how these could be leveraged to advance the Studio’s design work
- A strategic thinker who connects the dots in unexpected ways and champions new ideas and ways of thinking
- Posses a positive attitude, is calm under pressure, is client facing and personable
- Exceptional organization and attention to detail
- Able to handle multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent spoken and written communication
Additional skills that will make you successful:
- Tools: Demonstrated ability to build projects with professional media tool sets such as Unreal Engine, Unity, TouchDesigner, VVVV, Ventuz, Disguise, Pixera, Cinder or Three.js.
- Software Development: 3+ years of experience in a traditional programming language such as C++, C#, Python or JavaScript.
- System Design: Ability to design and produce documentation for A/V systems at a high level, including selection of hardware components such as LED, Projection, LCD and OLED displays, audio hardware, sensors, media servers, network hardware and lighting equipment.
- Interactivity: Experience designing and building novel real-time interactive systems in the built environment using tools and techniques such as LiDAR sensors, computer vision, frontend web technologies, real-time generative computer graphics and custom hardware.
The annual base pay range for this role is anticipated to be between $130,000 and $170,000. Actual compensation for successful candidates will be carefully determined based on a number of factors, including their skills, qualifications and experience.
Why choose NBBJ?
We believe that all NBBJ employees should love their work. This means not only loving what you do but having pride in your workplace. We strive to be that irresistible place to work by enhancing your employee experience with customized programs and comprehensive benefits. In addition to 100% covered employee healthcare costs and 401k contributions, we offer unique professional development opportunities, volunteer opportunities and access to leading technology and resources to further help you love your work and advance your career.
- NBBJ has been named three times by Fast Company as one of the most innovative architecture firms.
- Founded in 1943, our first office opened over 75 years ago in Seattle, Washington. We now have over 10 office locations around the globe.
- We are a transdisciplinary, cross-practice focused firm with a deep portfolio of Civic & Cultural, Commercial, Corporate, Healthcare, Higher Education, Science and Technology, Sports, and Urban Environment projects. We also have several areas of service expertise including: Architecture, Environmental Graphic Design, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Workplace Consulting and more.
- In the past decade, NBBJ has received more than 300 awards from leading global, national and regional award programs across the business, real estate and design communities.
- We work with 5 of the top global high-tech companies, 14 of the U.S. News and World Report Top Hospitals, and 4 of the top 10 highest-ranked learning institutions.
- Our clients include institutional leaders such as Cambridge University, Google, Samsung, Cleveland Clinic, Tencent, and Stanford University.
NBBJ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F Disabled and Vet EEO/AA Employer.
NBBJ does not accept unsolicited resumes or similar submissions from third party recruiters or employment agencies. Any unsolicited materials received by NBBJ from a source other than an individual candidate will be considered NBBJ property and NBBJ reserves the right to pursue and hire candidates referred to us without any financial obligation to the third party in question. If you are interested in becoming an approved NBBJ external recruiter, please contact a member of the NBBJ Talent Acquisition Team.
