Adjunct Assistant Professor of Interactive Media & Games

The Interactive Media & Games Division within USC's School of Cinematic Arts is seeking an adjunct faculty member in the field of Interactive Media and Games with a specialty in engineering, developing games using the Unreal engine. Ideally the candidate has used Unreal in the development of Games as a Service (GaaS) games or game modes, particularly (but not exclusively) for mobile games.

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced working professional is seeking a dynamic and experienced engineering faculty member to teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in game development with Unreal Engine. Our program is a vibrant and exciting community of designers, scholars and researchers, committed to the advancement of the digital arts, and it is situated within the larger School for Cinematic Arts, dedicated to the craft of storytelling and user experience from diverse perspectives, and working in collaboratively with the Viterbi School of Engineering.

The position will teach students how to effectively utilize the Unreal engine (Blueprint and C++), advise them on best practices related to using the engine for student projects, and guide them through challenges they may encounter while they train and use the tool. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in computer science or software engineering with hands-on expertise in interactive 3D environments, game engines, and real-time systems. This role blends technical instruction with creative application, preparing students for careers in games, virtual production, simulation, and XR.

The ideal candidate leads or has led engineering teams, worked extensively in Unreal, and wants to pass those skills on to a new generation of student designers, both Engineering majors and non-Engineering majors. Ideally this candidate has also worked in a live ops game environment and is familiar with the various tools, processes, and infrastructure needed to support GaaS projects.

Minimum Education:

· Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Game Development, or a closely related field

Minimum Experience:

· Demonstrated professional experience using Unreal Engine (5.x preferred) in industry

· Proficiency with Blueprint Visual Scripting and C++ programming within Unreal Engine

· Excellent communication skills and a commitment to teaching and mentorship

· Strong understanding of game engine systems such as:

• Rendering pipelines (Lumen/Nanite)
• Physics simulation
• AI and behavior trees
• Animation systems and control rigs
• Ability to explain complex systems and development pipelines in a classroom setting
• A portfolio of shipped projects, demos, or published research showcasing Unreal Engine expertise

Preferred Education: Master's Degree.

Preferred Experience:

· Knowledge of real-time networking/multiplayer frameworks

· Familiarity with Git, Perforce, or other version control tools

· Experience in virtual production workflows (e.g., motion capture, LED volume, sequencer)

· Past teaching experience or curriculum development in higher education

· Industry certifications in Unreal Engine or related disciplines (Epic Developer, Authorized Instructor, etc.)

USC reserves the 'Adjunct' appointment for faculty teaching less than full-time at USC who are employed full-time in a primary profession or career elsewhere. Adjunct faculty typically teach only one course per year but, in exceptional cases, may teach one course per semester, if approved by the dean.

The core salary range for this position is $32- $38 per hour. This is an adjunct 25% FTE position.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, as well as external market and organizational considerations.