CoNotes

Music Web Crawler Engineer

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 06:09:16 -0500 2008

Here’s your chance to help make the best searchable music index even better. We're looking for a top-notch web crawler engineer to enhance our music search. If you're a PHP and/or Python rock star who likes parsing web pages, we want to talk to you!
Qualifications:

Experience in PHP and Python code to search web sites
Enhancement & automation of data validation, verification & de-duplication capabilities
3+ years of OO software development experience, preferably using PHP or Python
Extensive background in multi-threaded application development

Nice to Have:

Experience building a vertical web crawler
Database query optimization skills
Experience working on a rapidly growing, high-availability, high transaction system
BS or MSCS or equivalent experience
Love Music!

PHP5 LAMP Developer

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 06:08:38 -0500 2008

We're hiring talented LAMP engineers to work on the next generation of our music platform. With solid design and coding skills, be a critical part of our continued success in supporting the over 35 million users.
Impact:

Develop new features that make music easier to find, listen to, organize and share.
Come up with innovative and creative solutions to engineering problems encountered when dealing with massive amounts of users, data and traffic. Then have lunch.

Qualification:

Extensive PHP5 experience writing object-orientated code
MySQL 4.1 & 5.0 – experience working in a replicated database environment a big plus
MySQL experience
Database optimization experience (query analysis, index optimization, efficient query writing)
Knowledge of design patterns and their application in a SOA environment
BSCS degree or equivalent experience

Nice to have:

Experience building and scaling high-volume sites (1MM+ daily page views)
Experience developing in environments utilizing tools such as APC and Memcached
Experience with Javascript libraries such as JQuery, YUI, ExtJS, MooTools, etc
Experience with cross browser development using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
Java or Python experience
Experience with open source projects like Lucene, SOLR, etc

Music Search Engineer

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 06:07:51 -0500 2008

Do you love music and want to help people find their favorite tunes? Would you like to help manage and build next-generation music search technology for millions of daily users? Here’s your chance to make the best searchable music index even better!
Impact:

Improve and extend large index of music tracks.
Compiling a data store for generating music suggestions.
Ownership of existing Lucene/SOLR system to optimize search results relevance
Develop and extend backend processes for feeding data from a variety of sources into Lucene
Develop & implement collaborative filtering algorithms optimized to generate recommendations of songs, artists and other exciting music data

Qualifications:

Experience with Lucene and/or other open source search technologies such as Xapian
Hands-on experience with JAVA and/or Python in a large-scale environment
Knowledge of design patterns, oo frameworks in a service-oriented architecture
MYSQL experience. Ability to write efficient queries and optimize database-intensive applications
BSCS or equivalent experience

Data Mining Engineer

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 05:10:44 -0500 2008

Are you a data mining guru? Does getting your hands on large amounts of data get you revved up? Do you specialize in making the data “sing”? If the answer is YES, Playlist would like to talk to you.
You will be responsible for designing, documenting, developing, testing, installing and supporting our data mining and the reporting infrastructure. You will work with various groups to understand the reporting requirements and the available data sources, and design and develop a functional and scalable data repository and reporting framework.
Impact:

Design and develop the layout of our data warehouse systems and databases
End-to-end design and development of programs, processes and procedures to extract, scrub, transform and load data into data warehouse
Design, develop and administer reporting framework and dashboards to support business requirements
Algorithms:
Develop new algorithms and methods for optimizing quality and performance of resulting revenue.
Design and develop new ways for tracking and modeling end user behavior
Design test framework to extract targeting metrics in response to specific questions

Skills:

Knowledge of data warehouse implementation process, from business requirements through logical modeling, physical database design, data sourcing and ETL processes
Experience in data integration methodologies, data staging and the real-time updating of data warehouses
Extensive knowledge of SQL, database (MySQL preferred) and SQL performance tuning
Expert knowledge of scripting in Perl, Python, PHP or other scripting languages
Hands on ETL experience in a data warehouse environment
Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative environment
BS or MS in Computer Science

Flex Developer

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 05:09:24 -0500 2008

We're hiring an experienced Flex developer develope exciting new features of our next generation music products. Create next generation user interfaces and features for our Flex widgets. The ideal candidate has proficiency in Adobe Flex, Rich Internet application development, and a strong working knowledge of usability-focused interfaces.
Projects:

Design ubiquitous Playlist experience across social networks, Playlist and installed clients
Develop installable AIR Playlist client
Implement video and steaming content into our widget
Design a skin configurator and innovative skins
Design a music module to be included as a Flex Service in applications
Integrate Playlist API's with existing XML & JSON data feeds
Design and implement a user login system within our widgets
Extending processes for feeding data to widgets from various sources

Qualifications:

Extensive experience with Adobe Flex
Audio and Video application experience
Rich Internet application development
Strong working knowledge of usability focused interfaces
Ability to write organized, well documented, reusable code
Love music!

Online Marketing Specialist

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 05:06:56 -0500 2008

The Online Marketing Specialist creates, measures, analyzes and optimizes online marketing programs. The Online Marketing Specialist will collaborate with internal and external teams to create and deploy highly effective online marketing programs, particularly email campaigns, but also social network messaging, blogs and more.
This position will play a key role in identifying, developing and implementing awareness and acquisition strategies to directly impact critical business metrics. The ideal candidate will apply email marketing best practices to capture/increase activity of our existing user base and newly acquired audiences.
Responsibilities:

Design, implement and manage online marketing programs, focusing on user acquisition, driving user activity and generating revenue.
Plan, manage and implement email marketing campaigns including email copy, message templates, landing pages, and other marketing collateral.
Determine best mix of call to action, subject lines, special promotions, timing of releases, etc that drive increased user response.
Analyze key metrics including open rate, click troughs, bounce rate, etc, and provide strategic recommendations to constantly improve upon these metrics.
Work with other departments to ensure editorial and business needs are met.
Effectively manage outside partnerships to maximize ROI on program investment.
Leverage a "test, measure and refine" approach to constantly improve program results and increase the impact of online marketing on revenue and profitability.
Propose new marketing program ideas and then secure support from internal and external stakeholders to fund and execute these programs.
Create feature specification documents for changes to the website and other online projects.
Manage weekly and monthly reporting and tracking, flagging issues for internal stakeholders and report metrics appropriately.

Requirements:

BA/BS Degree required.
Understanding of email marketing programs, industry standards for best practices and general online marketing tactics a must.
Solid experience with email service provider applications and content management systems.
Strong commitment to great user experience and overall quality of campaigns.
Ability to manage budgets, perform ROI analysis and identify tactics for constant improvement.
Familiarity with web services, APIs and data feeds a plus.

Member of Technical Staff - Applications

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:38:15 -0500 2008

Invent, design, implement and deploy unique applications for the consumer-facing site and partners, leveraging our world-class categorization and search platform. The job requires designing, building and managing highly scalable systems targeting partners within a specific industry sector or delivering partner facing web applications.
Qualifications:

BS or MS in Computer Science or related field
Extensive experience programming in Java or C++ and experience building web applications using one of PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby or JSP/Servlets.
Working knowledge of Internet protocols, networks, HTML, CSS, TCP/IP, JavaScript, CSS preferred
Significant development experience in a Linux environment.
Strong aptitude for writing elegant code, and ability to abstract for reuse.
Knowledge of SQL and relational database structures is a plus
Web UI design experience a plus
You must be smart, passionate and get things done! Enjoy working in a fast-paced, rapid development environment

Member of Technical Staff - Relevance

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:37:38 -0500 2008

Apply a strong combination of interest and experience in Consumer Applications, Algorithms, and Systems to analyze, design and build the core of Kosmix’s Algorithmic Topic Engine. The position offers a breadth of challenges involving Consumer Product, Relevance Algorithms and Scalable Systems. This is not just a classic Algorithms position; it requires a passion for consumer experience, a willingness to go the last mile, and an attitude of doing what it takes!
Qualifications:

BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related fields
Programming wizardry in C/C++ and scripting (Perl, Python). Ruby On rails / Java / HTML / Javascript a plus.
Extensive UNIX system and network programming experience
Strong foundation in System Design, Software Architecture, Web Technologies
Strong Algorithm background, awareness of time and space complexity - experience in Relevance and Search Quality a big plus!
Strong passion and experience in consumer-facing Web Applications

Most important, we want self-motivated builders with a real urge to change the world through their creations!

Flash & Flex Coder

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:27:15 -0500 2008

Design, build, test, debug and troubleshoot web/Flash/Flex/AIR applications and scripts
Optimize and continue to develop current product offerings based on user feedback and analysis
Collaborate with the team to plan and design new functionality
Do whatever it takes to translate product designs and requirements into launch ready product offerings
Contribute to design brainstorming sessions
Work closely with partners and offshore development teams to ensure quality product is designed and developed in a timely manner

Command of, at least, several of the following...

Actionscript 3.0
Flex 3 / Flash CS / AIR
HTML, XHTML, CSS, DOM, AJAX
Object oriented JavaScript development
Cross-browser compatibility issues
Symfony
PureMVC
Object Oriented Programming
LAMP and similar technologies
Automated build and test systems, functional, unit, and integration testing
Linux/FreeBSD

Bonus Points:

Experience building widgets for MySpace, Facebook and/or other social platform
Consumer product expertise
BS or MS in compuer science or related field
Understanding of SOAP/Web Service
An impressive portfolio

Web Developer

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:26:39 -0500 2008

This is a web developer position that will focus on the implentation of web designs, interfaces, and the programming of databases & their respective connections (PHP/MySQL). In this role you will have the opportunity to work on some very interesting projects.

Join the team to design and develop web based applications
Maintain technical specification for projects
Ensure cross-browser and cross-platform compatibility
Mash-up web applications with external services and sites

This is a contract position based in Mountain View, CA.
Qualifications:

Expertise with web and database development.
Strong PHP and MySQL skills required - 'Symfony' experience is a plus but not required.
Three or more years of JavaScript, HTML, CSS and AJAX development & deployment.
Two years or more experience with Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator are desired, but not required.
Excellent analytical capabilities as well as oral and written communication skills.
Desire to work in a fast-paced, start-up stage environment.
Degree in computer science preferable.

Technical Program Manager

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:26:04 -0500 2008

We are looking for a unique individual to contribute to the growth of one of Silicon Valley's fastest moving companies. Ribbit, Silicon Valley's First Phone Company, is bringing together the best of the Internet with the best of the telephony to change the way we all think about communication forever.
We are looking for a team member who is part technical, part project manager, part program co-coordinator who will work with all the teams within Ribbit to bring out the best quality products in a timely manner.
Job Description & Responsibilities:
Technical Program managers typically have a software development background. This technical expertise is blended with evangelism, empathy, conflict negotiation skills, and a passion for driving projects through to completion.
Program Management has an opportunity provide technical directions to drive the product through to completion. Working across multiple groups from marketing to developers to external partners the program managers often have to prioritize the tasks and manage the deliverables without compromising on the product quality.

Project Management
Manage Project Schedule and Risks
Facilitate communication between the teams: Engineering, Product Management, Business Development, and Operations
Manage the solution scope and critical trade-off decisions
Track progress and report status to management team

Qualifications:

Superior verbal, written and organizational skills
Strong analytical skills and attention to details
Assures high quality work and service that meets or exceeds expectations
Shows concern for the quality in recommend constant improvement in the processes
Bachelors degree with 10+ years of work experience
5+ years experience in project management
Proven software development experience in Web development or Telecom/VOIP

This position reports to the VP of Applications.

.NET Software Engineers

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:11:39 -0500 2008

Are you passionate about social networks? Do you have a flair for innovation and solving challenging problems? Are you ready to go where no one has gone before? If the answer is yes, then you’ve come to the right place.
At Jobvite, we are looking for dynamic, results-oriented, passionate, self-starting, innovative engineers with an obsession for building highly interactive and scalable social web applications.
The Role:
Our projects include working on social web applications, machine learning, matching engines, distributed computing, advanced information-retrieval algorithms, massive scalability and storage solutions, and large-scale applications that enrich the user experience.
You"ll use your passion, technical expertise and strong problem solving skills to develop social applications, software infrastructure for our platform, enhance our existing core services, and implement key components of our product roadmap.
Experience in C# and .NET. MS SQL Server is highly desirable. If you are a creative, enthusiastic, energetic, highly motivated and intelligent programmer who’s eager to work in a fast-paced, rapid cycle-time environment, we’d like to meet you!
Ideal experience includes:

Developing social networking web applications using C#/.NET/MS SQL Server
Web 2.0 and cutting-edge front end technology expertise
Familiarity/Experience with building applications for FaceBook, Open Social, MySpace and LinkedIn
Expertise in Object-Oriented design/programming and Design Patterns.
Practical experience with AJAX and REST
Excellent communication and team skills.
BS or MS in computer science.

About Us:
Jobvite's corporate recruiting platform is revolutionizing the way companies identify, engage and hire talent. Jobvite is the only recruitment application built to involve all employees in the hiring process, leverage their social and professional networks, and manage all aspects of the hiring workflow in an easy to use platform that’s effortless to implement. Jobvite is a native SaaS application, built on Web 2.0 technologies.
We are a well-funded start-up with a unique product and a rapidly growing customer base. Our offices are located in downtown San Francisco, where we are building a team of the Bay Area's best and brightest minds to deliver a compelling SaaS solution to an under-penetrated SME market.
We offer a competitive salary, medical/dental benefits, PTO, paid holidays, and pre-IPO stock!
Please visit us at www.jobvite.com to learn more and view our Product Tour.
Jobvite is an equal opportunity employer.

Dir/Sr Dir, Finance and Business Operations

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:10:43 -0500 2008

We are seeking an entreprenurial, strategic executive to partner with our CEO on venture financing, business operations, and company-wide planning, analysis and reporting.
In this role, you will manage our funding roadmap, partner with our CEO to cultivate relationships within the venture community, and leverage your expertise in venture financing to handle the financial aspects of our subsequent funding rounds.
You'll apply thought leadership, analytic guidance, business judgment, project management and reporting expertise to translate the organization’s strategy into specific roadmaps, key performance indicators, and measurable milestones against plan. You’ll develop financial models that support operational decision making, and develop, implement and track key performance metrics.
Responsibilities include:

Serve as lead for financing activities.
Develop, implement, and track operational business plans, projects, and performance results.
Develop financial models that support operational decision making, forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning.
Manage the overall financials, including operating expenses, capital budget, forecasting, manpower justification, productivity, sales and strategic business investments.
Establish and deliver monthly P&L variance reporting.
Establish, track, analyze and present key financial and operational performance metrics.

Requirements:
The right candidate will be client facing, solutions-oriented, entrepreneurial and pragmatic. They must be comfortable interacting across all disciplines of the company, capable and credible at engaging the VC community, and effective at setting and managing the expectations of the CEO.

7+ years of increasingly responsible experience in business planning/financial analysis roles, preferably in entreprenurial environments.
Venture fund raising experience
Experience in Enterprise Software, Internet Applications or Software as a Service (SaaS) sectors highly prefered.
Strong leadership, planning, execution, presentation, communication (verbal, written and interpersonal) and multi-tasking skills.
Proactive and entrepreneurial style.
Strong ability to work without direction leveraging breakthrough thinking, influencing and execution capabilities.
Strong spread sheet, systems and analytical skills coupled with board-level presentation capabilities.
Ability to build productive relationships with leaders of the business.
Ability to improve sales capability and effectiveness and deliver management visibility into sales performance.
Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics or a business related field; MBA preferred.

We offer a competitive salary, medical/dental benefits, PTO, paid holidays, and pre-IPO stock. Visit us at www.jobvite.com to learn more, and to view our Product Tour.
Jobvite is an equal opportunity employer.

Director, Web Marketing / Demand Generation

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:09:49 -0500 2008

We are seeking a talented Web Marketing Director to create a great web experience for potential customers. You will develop the end to end customer web experience to attract people to our website, convert them into customers and continue the dialogue after they become customers.
You will leverage your deep experience in web marketing programs to develop (from concept stage through execution) programs that support demand generation, customer acquisition, market penetration, customer retention, referrals, revenue and branding goals.
Responsibilities include:

Drive demand generation activities for the company's products and services in support of the marketing plan and ongoing sales related activities.

Create innovative, compelling, profitable marketing vehicles that contribute to building our differentiation in the marketplace, delivering a web experience that engages and cultivates dialogue with customers and prospects.
Work with marketing team to develop compelling messaging for the website, email and web campaigns.
Drive profitable customer acquisition from paid (SEM) and organic (SEO) listings at search engines.
Measure and control program ROI; prepare monthly, quarterly and yearly analysis reports encompassing all web marketing initiatives.
Create short and long term budgets and program plans to support corporate objectives.

Requirements:
The Web Marketing Director will have a successful track record of developing, executing and measuring web marketing campaigns. He/she will be a team player with a positive, can-do attitude.

5+ years experience conducting B2B email marketing campaigns, optimizing website marketing performance, web content development, SEO and SEM.
Demonstrated ability to create web marketing programs that produce sales results.
Deep, specific knowledge of best practices in web marketing to drive customer acquisition.
Knowledge of search engine optimization and marketing practices.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills.
Experience with web analytics tools.
Excellent writing skills.
BA or BS degree.

This is a unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor with a promising company that’s leveraging the latest web 2.0 technologies to provide Software as a Service to an under-penetrated SME market.
We offer a competitive salary, medical/dental benefits, paid time off, paid holidays and early-stage stock options.
Jobvite is an equal opportunity employer.

Senior Product Manager

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:08:43 -0500 2008

Jobvite's corporate talent acquisition platform is revolutionizing the way companies identify, engage and hire talent. Jobvite is the only recruitment application built to involve all employees in the hiring process, leverage their social and professional networks, and manage all aspects of the hiring workflow in an easy to use platform that’s effortless to implement. Jobvite is a native SaaS application, built on Web 2.0 technologies.
We are a well-funded start-up with a unique product and a rapidly growing customer base. Our offices are located in downtown San Francisco, where we are building a team of the Bay Area's best and brightest minds to deliver a compelling SaaS solution to an under-penetrated SME market.
SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER
We are seeking an experienced Product Manager with a passion for creating great software products. You will work collaboratively with senior management, engineering and marketing and assume a lead role in defining our product and market strategy during a period of significant growth and opportunity.
Responsibilities include:

Define product roadmap to meet business requirements.
Create detailed product specifications and competitive differentiation.
Deliver product and market specifications, Product Requirement Documents (PRD’s), and other documentation to guide and prioritize the efforts of the engineering team, and the organization at large.
Define and drive the development lifecycle to release high-quality products on time.
Establish, track and manage technical projects to balance and optimize operational excellence, feature development and time to market.
Work with marketing, engineering, business development, sales and delivery teams to introduce and manage the product line/features/enhancements from inception to end of life.

Requirements:
Depth of experience in software product management for enterprise applications is essential. Experience with recruiting and/or human capital applications and Software as a Service delivery model is ideal.

5+ years experience in enterprise software product management.
Ability to quickly understand product and market dynamics.
Knowledge of product planning with outstanding organizational and analytical skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
An entrepreneurial and results-oriented resume.
Commitment to well designed and executed products.
Passion for new products and technologies, especially Web 2.0, social networking, collaboration - and the next big thing.
BA/BS degree; MBA a plus.

Web 2.0 Product Innovators

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:07:48 -0500 2008

Are you passionate about the power and potential of the Internet to continuously improve the way we do business? Are you constantly thinking about ways to link content, community and technology to leverage this power in revolutionary new ways? Do you contemplate how technology trends will ultimately influence the way we find work, engage with our employers, and build lasting relationships with peers and colleagues?
If you have:

an entrepreneurial resume
a solid background in application Product Management, Product Marketing or Product Strategy
a demonstrated affinity for or achievement in “next generation” Web 2.0 innovations that embrace social networks, and apply consumer-driven behaviors to business needs...

we’d like to meet you.
Title, level and career trajectory aside, we are seeking proven, web application product innovators to join our passionate, early-stage team.
Jobvite is a well-funded start-up with a unique product and a rapidly growing customer base. Our offices are located in downtown San Francisco, where we are building a team of the Bay Area's best and brightest minds to deliver a compelling SaaS solution to an under-penetrated SME market.
Our corporate recruiting platform is revolutionizing the way companies identify, engage and hire talent. Our platform is the only talent management application built to involve all employees in the hiring process, leverage their social and professional networks, and manage all aspects of the hiring workflow in an easy to use solution that’s effortless to implement. Jobvite is a native SaaS application, built on Web 2.0 technologies.
We offer a competitive salary, medical/dental benefits, PTO, paid holidays, and pre-IPO stock!

User Experience Experts

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:06:53 -0500 2008

Are you passionate about social networks? Do you have a flair for innovation and solving challenging problems? Are you acutely aware of the importance of user experience in determining the success of a software product? Are you ready to go where no one has gone before? If the answer is yes, then you've come to the right place.
If you have:

an entrepreneurial resume
a solid background in User Experience Design, Interaction / Interface Design or Visual Design
a demonstrated affinity for or achievement in “next generation” Web applications that embrace social networks, and apply consumer-driven interfaces to business needs

We'd like to meet you!
Title, level and career trajectory aside, we are seeking proven, highly-creative UE and Visual Design innovators to join our passionate, early-stage team.
Jobvite's corporate recruiting platform is revolutionizing the way companies identify, engage and hire talent. Jobvite is the only talent management application built to involve all employees in the hiring process, leverage their social and professional networks, and manage all aspects of the hiring workflow in an easy to use platform that's effortless to implement. Jobvite is a native SaaS application, built on Web 2.0 technologies.
Jobvite is one of the highest profile startups in The Bay Area! We are a well-funded with a unique product and a rapidly growing customer base. Our offices are located in one of San Francisco's most fun neighborhoods, where we are building a team of the Bay Area's best and brightest minds to deliver a compelling SaaS solution to an under-penetrated SME market.
We offer a competitive salary, medical/dental benefits, PTO, paid holidays, and pre-IPO stock!

Visual Designer, User Experience

CoNotes — Wed Dec 17 04:05:58 -0500 2008

Are you passionate about social networks? Do you have a flair for innovation and solving challenging problems? Are you ready to go where no one has gone before? If the answer is yes, then you've come to the right place.
Jobvite's corporate recruiting platform is revolutionizing the way companies identify, engage and hire talent. Jobvite is the only recruitment application built to involve all employees in the hiring process, leverage their social and professional networks, and manage all aspects of the hiring workflow in an easy to use platform that's effortless to implement. Jobvite is a native SaaS application, built on Web 2.0 technologies.
We are a well-funded start-up with a unique product and a rapidly growing customer base. Our offices are located in downtown San Francisco, where we are building a team of the Bay Area's best and brightest minds to deliver a compelling SaaS solution to an under-penetrated SME market.
The Role...
The Visual Designer, who will be working alongside the Senior Interaction Designer, will assume overall responsibility for the visual design of our web-based applications. We're looking for an aesthetic problem solver who thrives on creating engaging customer solutions that communicate clearly and contribute to overall ease-of-use.

Create dynamic and intuitive interfaces for web-based applications

Innovate new features as well as providing improvement to our existing application
Collaborate with the Engineering and Product teams to drive our user experience towards the next generation
Design compelling graphic elements, clear and visual mock-ups, and engaging interactive prototypes

What you bring...

3+ years in User Experience-focused Visual Design

Strong design skills including screen layouts, information design, typography, color usage, and integrating corporate branding
Commitment to understanding customer needs and business process as they relate to our application.
Self-starter who can get things done in an emerging, high-growth company.
Prior experience designing for social networking, SaaS, or e-commerce sites is a plus.
Bachelor's degree in UI design, HCI, interactive multimedia, human factors, cognitive psychology, or other related field

Please include a link to you online portfolio
We offer a competitive salary, medical/dental benefits, PTO, paid holidays, and pre-IPO stock.

Software Developer

CoNotes — Tue Dec 16 04:58:47 -0500 2008

We are looking for proactive and clever software developers who enjoy working in a small team setting.

Responsibilities:

Design and implementation of features from abstract to concrete
Work efficiently without detailed specs or endless meetings
Write lean, clean code
Help out wherever needed

Top tier skills in Perl, Python, PHP, SQL, Ruby, or Javascript are sought. A sense of humor, good communication skills and a BS in Computer Science or equivalent experience is also required.

Senior Game Designer

CoNotes — Tue Dec 16 04:50:04 -0500 2008

PlayFirst is a leading publisher focused on creating shared casual game experiences around lasting original brands. Committed to building casual gameplay rich in story and character, PlayFirst works with talented internal and external developers to bring mass market games to multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, mobile, handheld and console. The company's portfolio includes the world-renowned Diner Dash® franchise as well as top-selling games such as Wedding Dash™, Chocolatier™, and Dream Chronicles™. For more information, visit www.playfirst.com and www.dinerdash.com.

Founded in 2004 by veterans of Internet portals, traditional games publishers, entertainment software, and technology firms, PlayFirst is funded by venture capital firms Mayfield Fund, Trinity Ventures and Rustic Canyon Partners.

Job Description:

You are an experienced game designer who has shipped numerous titles on multiple platforms. You are an imaginative, creative talent able to lead teams to creative consensus around innovative, original ideas in interactive entertainment. Using a deep knowledge of interactive play, including online games, you will spearhead design on projects assigned to you in the PlayFirst internal Studio as well as ensure quality design on some of PlayFirst's external projects.

Using your keen eye for aesthetics as well as game mechanics, (including approaches to meta-structure and storytelling) you will offer creative expertise, helping the Creative Director and game designers to guide the design and creative direction on internal and external projects, including both original IP and licensed properties. You are able to excel at a strategic level, inventing and sourcing from third parties the best games to serve our target consumers, but you are also able to operate effectively at a tactical level, driving concepts through the approval process and development to launch and beyond.

Responsibilities:

Leading game design is the key area of responsibility, though you may also be asked to act as team leader and spearhead project management.
Act as creative consultant on PlayFirst game projects, helping the Creative Director guide the creative direction and development requirements on internal and external game projects.
Drive prototyping, mechanics, dynamics (meta elements) and aesthetics of projects assigned to you.
Ensure the delivery of quality design documentation on all internal and external game projects.
Contribute to brand definition efforts including character bibles, scripted story segments and other narrative aspects of branded content.
Source ideas and draft proposals consisting of concept docs, development plans, product plans, and schedules.
Understand and contribute to overall company goals and sales/marketing requirements advising on portfolio direction and new game ideas and inventing and sourcing from third parties the best games to serve our target consumers.
Mentor game designers across the company as well as externally, and offer guidelines for all written game design documents including functional and asset specifications, ensuring the delivery of quality design documentation on all internal and external game projects.

Requirements:

Must showcase strengths in imagination and creativity.
Excellent analytical, facilitation and organizational skills required.
4-7 years of game design experience.
Experience managing and mentoring junior designers.
Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated- meeting deadlines is required.
Demonstrated ability to work well with Art, Marketing, and Engineering staff to efficiently deliver the best games while meeting the goals and requirements of each of those teams.
Proven success in previous creative endeavors.
Commitment to craftsmanship.
Strong written and verbal English communication skills essential.
College degree strongly preferred, but not required.
Must have current US work authorization.

Preferred:

A good sense of humor.
Knowledge of the casual games industry.
Experience with non-casual game design (including online worlds, multiplayer, community game-play).

Benefits

Our core benefits include: health, dental, vision, life/disability, Flexible spending accounts, 401(k), and Stock Options.
In addition to being located in the heart of the financial district (1 block from BART), we also have great fringe benefits which include: generous paid time off, 10 company holidays, yoga, chair massage, snacks, refreshments, "playdates" when we test our games, and great growth opportunities.