Media Technology Engineer

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How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are important submissions for the hiring team to get a sense of your experience. In the cover letter, in two pages or less, please let us know how this role aligns with your career aspirations and skill set. Submit both a cover letter and resume as one file (because of system limitations).

What You'll Do

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan, in collaboration with the Office of Digital Education at the Ross School of Business, is seeking a Media Technology Engineer to support our Extended Reality (XR) studios. This role focuses heavily on the support of the hardware and infrastructure necessary for innovative digital learning experiences using cutting-edge technology and creative solutions. As a Media Technology Engineer, your role expands beyond mere technology application to a blend of technical and creative support crucial for the development and success of our XR studios. You will be responsible for managing and maintaining the technical and creative infrastructure for one XR studio at the Center for Academic Innovation and two XR studios at the Ross School of Business. Your time will be balanced between the two programs evenly. This role is pivotal in maintaining the technical integrity and operational efficiency of our XR studios, directly impacting the quality of our innovative digital learning experiences. You will be instrumental in developing shared processes and best practices to elevate both programs to deploy a robust and scalable infrastructure to meet the needs of both programs.

Who We Are

Through curricular innovation, tools for student success and equity, and educational research and analytics, the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation is building the future of education. Our vision is a future in which education connects and empowers learners everywhere to reach their full potential throughout their lives. To realize our vision, we make it our mission to collaborate across campus and around the world to create equitable, lifelong educational opportunities for learners everywhere.

About the Creative Studios Team

Creative Studios is a part of the Center that specializes in creating high quality and impactful media content, cutting edge visual effects, and extended reality experiences. The XR team works directly with faculty innovators to conceive and build extended reality experiences that transform and enhance education while also focusing on how this groundbreaking technology can be utilized by all learners and available at scale. The Media Design and Production team helps online learning experiences come alive for millions of learners around the world. Together these teams work to create the next generation of content. With the addition of the new XR studio, these teams will collaborate more closely to create state of the art animations, mixed reality, and virtual production experiences. 

About the Office of Digital Education at the Ross School of Business

The Office of Digital Education is at the forefront of shaping innovative learning experiences in the digital realm. Committed to propelling education into the future, the Office of Digital Education serves as a hub at Michigan Ross for pioneering strategies that redefine the digital learning landscape. Working with our faculty and collaborating across disciplines, the team cultivates a dynamic environment where ideas flourish into transformative synchronous and asynchronous digital offerings, leveraging technology to personalize education for students and alumni alike. The office spearheads initiatives like XR technology, spatial video, and innovative learning design to develop and deliver world-class academic programs. 

For more information, please visit our website: Academic Innovation.

Responsibilities*

  • Develop and implement technology solutions for digital innovation projects, with a strong emphasis on XR technologies
  • Collaborate with internal departments and clients to design creative technical solutions, developing intuitive, effective, and user-friendly digital experiences
  • Demonstrate and prototype technical solutions and consult on the design of intuitive, effective, and user-friendly digital experiences
  • Maintain and enhance expertise in various technologies, including broadcast cameras, color science, real-time render engines, and media asset management tools
  • Support the XR studio for the Center for Academic Innovation, as well as the two XR studios at the Ross School of Business including the potential for on-call support during critical production times
  • Oversee the technological infrastructure that supports both synchronous and asynchronous virtual productions to ensure the infrastructure has minimal downtime and maximum creative flexibility
  • Support the integration of cutting-edge technical solutions bridging the gap between technical possibilities and creative ambitions and, enabling groundbreaking digital storytelling and educational content delivery.
  • Innovating within Extended Reality (XR) spaces, crafting solutions for immersive digital experiences, and ensuring seamless integration of technology in the production processes
  • Review, establish, document, and maintain comprehensive processes and procedures for the operation of the XR stages, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and high standards for production quality.

Required Qualifications*

  • Bachelor's degree in Network Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical field (advanced degrees in these areas will be considered an asset), or 2+ years of relevant experience in technical roles, preferably in areas such as digital innovation projects, XR technologies, virtual production, or related fields.
  • Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues in real-time with Disguise media servers (or equivalent), motion and object tracking technology (Blacktrax, Stype, etc), LED screen setups, video wall processors, and IT networking.
  • Experience with real-time render engines (like Unreal & Unity), and media asset management tools
  • In-depth knowledge of IT infrastructure, including networking protocols, server management, and cybersecurity best practices, particularly as they relate to media production environments
  • Familiarity with with broadcast cameras, color science, creative hardware integration, ensuring equipment functions seamlessly with software and creative workflows
  • Proficiency with creative design packages (e.g., Adobe, Avid, Final Cut) and 3D design applications (e.g., C4D, Blender, 3ds Max)
  • Results-oriented with considerable experience in short turn-around production and commercial environments, with a strong emphasis on technical reliability and innovation
  • Ability to consult effectively and develop solutions that meet internal and client needs
  • Strong application architecture skills and extensive industry knowledge, preferably with experience in the live industry, virtual production studios, VFX, and broadcast industries
  •  Demonstrated ability to work independently, show initiative, and solve complex technical problems creatively and efficiently

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Please Note: This is a 3 year term limited position with the possibility of renewal depending on funding.

Must have legal authorization to work in the United States. 

The mode of work for this position is Hybrid.

The work requirements for this position allow both onsite and offsite work and you will have an expected regular and recurring onsite presence. On occasion, you may be required and must be available to work onsite more frequently if necessitated by our center's policy and domain leadership or by your job requirements. 50% of the position will be supporting the two XR Studios at the Ross School of Business on campus. Flexibility in work schedule will be crucial in support of critical, time-sensitive synchronous operations when necessary, especially beyond standard working hours for White Light in London. While such occurrences are rare, there may be an expectation for on-call support if issues arise during non-standard business hours, notably for Online MBA classes at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. EST and Executive Education classes from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST.

Excellent benefits are available, for details, see http://benefits.umich.edu/

Salary Information

The general salary range for this position is $85,000- $92,000. Candidates can expect to be paid a competitive and equitable salary. Factors used to determine salary include education level, experience, knowledge and skills for the position and internal equity within the unit. All candidates are encouraged to discuss salary questions to honor alignment and transparency throughout the recruiting process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) is committed to inclusion in our organizational work, culture, climate, and the products we create. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team as a reflection of our commitment to our work designing equitable and inclusive learning and work environments that are necessary for the university community to make progress on solving societal challenges. CAI draws on each of our team member's unique backgrounds and experiences to guide our everyday work in the center, and our team collaborates with students, staff, and faculty on projects that center our commitment to DEIJ work. All interested applicants, including those from groups historically marginalized by educational privilege, are encouraged to apply.

Organizational Statement on Harassment

We believe all individuals deserve to be treated with respect and dignity and have the right to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes mutual respect and a safe space for collaboration. Any concerns shared with Individuals with Reporting Obligations in the Center for Academic Innovation will be reported to the Equity, Civil Rights, & Title IX Office to be reviewed and addressed, and the Center for Academic Innovation encourages reporting of any forms of harassment including sexual and gender-based harassment.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.