Department: Col of Engineering and Computing
Classification: Research Staff 12-month
Job Category: Research Staff
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)
Location: Fairfax, VA
Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible
Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience
Criminal Background Check: Yes
About the Department:
The Computer Science Department's mission is to provide an innovative approach to technology in achieving the academic excellence and high-quality services to all its constituents including visitors, chair and faculty, current and prospective students through sound administrative team support. The objectives are offering Computer Science programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels.
About the Position:
This Software Engineer will work on an NSF-sponsored project: "Collaborative Research: CCRI: New: CoMIC: A Collaborative Mobile Immersive Computing Research Infrastructure for Multi-user XR".
Responsibilities:
- Leads the design and development of the mobile immersive computing infrastructure;
- Ensures scalability, flexibility, and robustness to support multi-user XR applications;
- Integrates advanced networking techniques for seamless connectivity and data exchange;
- Ensures adherence to best practices in software engineering, including version control, testing, and continuous integration;
- Organizes and leads regular team meetings, project updates, and collaborative coding sessions;
- Develops comprehensive documentation for the infrastructure, including technical specifications, user guides, and API references;
- Stays updated with the latest advancements in XR, mobile computing, and immersive technologies; and
- Identifies opportunities for innovation and leads research initiatives to explore new capabilities and applications.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in related field and or significant related experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree;
- Extensive experience in XR Development, typically at least 3-5 years of experience in developing VR/AR/XR applications and systems, demonstrating a deep understanding of immersive technologies;
- Understanding of VR/AR/XR principles and applications;
- Knowledge of mobile computing frameworks and platforms;
- Familiarity with network protocols, real-time data transmission, and adaptive networking;
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, and JavaScript;
- Understanding of UX/UI design principles for immersive environments;
- Knowledge of data security and privacy-preserving techniques;
- Skills in software development, testing, and continuous integration;
- Strong collaboration and communication skills for interdisciplinary teamwork;
- Excellent problem-solving skills to address technical challenges;
- Ability to lead and manage technical teams effectively;
- Skills in project planning, resource management, and meeting deadlines;
- Strong analytical skills to evaluate and improve system performance;
- Ability to create clear and comprehensive technical documentation;
- Ability to think creatively and propose innovative solutions;
- Ability to adapt to new technologies and methodologies quickly;
- Ability to design systems with a focus on user experience and usability;
- Precision in developing and testing software to ensure high-quality results; and
- Commitment to staying updated with the latest advancements in XR and mobile computing.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in related field or terminal degree;
- Proven track record of working on mobile computing projects, particularly those involving cross-platform development and optimization for mobile devices; and
- Experience in designing and implementing networked applications, with a focus on real-time data transmission, synchronization, and adaptive networking techniques.
Instructions to Applicants:
For full consideration, applicants must apply for Software Engineer at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application with a list of three professional references with contact information, a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review.
Posting Open Date: October 1, 2024
For Full Consideration, Apply by: October 15, 2024
Open Until Filled: Yes
Mason Engineering: The Future of Engineering is Here!
About the College:
The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) at George Mason University is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC enrolled a record high of 10,933 students in fall 2023. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. Of its 320 full-time faculty, 93 are tenured, 77 are tenure-track, 90 are term faculty, and 60 are research faculty. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $65 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $119 million in current and anticipated awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more. The college encourages and supports multidisciplinary research and provides ample opportunity for faculty to work with other disciplines.
About the University and the Region:
George Mason University is the largest and most diverse public research university in Virginia, with an enrollment of more than 40,000 students studying in over 200 degree programs. Mason is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in a range of academic fields. It was classified as an R1 research institution in 2016 by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutes of Higher Education. The university has campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William County. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. provides unmatched geographical access to federal agencies and national laboratories. Northern Virginia is also home to one of the largest concentrations of high-tech firms in the nation, providing excellent opportunities for interaction with industry. The region is consistently rated as being among the best places to live in the country and has an outstanding local public school system.
About the Future:
In conjunction with Amazon’s decision to establish a second headquarters in Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth of Virginia announced a multi-year plan to invest in the growth of degree programs in computing. As a result, Mason has committed to accelerate its plans to grow its capacity in computing and high-tech fields. Among the university’s exciting initiatives are the launch of the Institute for Digital Innovation—a university think tank and incubator to serve the digital economy—and the expansion of Mason Square home to its Arlington facilities. In 2025, Fuse a new 355,000 square foot building, will open to students, faculty, and research teams. This net-zero facility will house the Institute for Digital Innovation, state-of the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces. It will also include retail space, and leasing opportunities for local businesses. These initiatives reflect hundreds of millions of dollars in new investment by Mason that will rapidly elevate the university’s already leading national position in computing and related areas.