Explore a career in Virtual & Augmented Reality.
Augmented reality (AR) adds digital elements to a live view often through the use of cameras or lenses, while Virtual reality (VR) implies a complete immersion experience that shuts out the physical world. Mixed reality (MR) is the merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations, where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time. Extended (XR) reality is a term referring to all real-and-virtual combined environments and human-machine interactions generated by computer technology and wearables. It includes representative forms such as augmented reality, mixed reality and virtual reality and the areas interpolated among them.
- Applications Engineer – design technology products related to various aspects of computing; works with manufacturing, marketing, sales, and customer service departments; prepare a model for application performance then test, evaluate and adjust the application performance throughout the application life cycle =
- Firmware Engineer – develop software that manages electronic devices; create and implement algorithms which enable the hardware to function
- Research Software Engineering – use of software engineering practices in research applications; focuses on reproducibility, reusability, and accuracy of data analysis and applications created for research =
- User Experience Designer – conduct user research, design, write UX copy, validate/test with user and sell/present the design solution to the business; to be the voice of the user and advocate for the users needs while balancing the business goals
- VR Developer – practice a combination of software engineering, 3D Design, video/sound production, game development, and UX/UI skills to be integrated into virtual reality systems
- Project Manager – planning, procurement and execution of a project, in any undertaking that has a defined scope, defined start and defined finish, regardless of industry =
- Mobile Developer – create software for mobile devices and technology and specific applications which utilize the individual characteristics of the particular platform
- Solution Architect – lead the practice and introducing the overall technical vision for a particular solution
- Quality Assurance Managers – play a crucial role in business by ensuring that the products meet certain thresholds of acceptability; they plan, direct or coordinate quality assurance programs and formulate quality control policies
*It is important to note that Virtual and Augmented Reality parallel many industries – including software development and cybersecurity.
Because many industries including tech, social media, startups, gaming and even healthcare are currently developing AR/VR capabilities, you may find opportunities in a variety of settings. Doing research into how a company utilizes AR, VR, Mixed and Extended Reality is important in terms of identifying what opportunities you are attracted to and qualified for.
Some examples of companies within Augmented, Virtual, and Extended Reality include the following:
- Augmented Reality – Apple, Augmented Reality Labs, Lucyd, Magic Leap, Microsoft, Niantic, Proprio, PTC, SONY Playstation, TrueVision, Zappar
- Virtual Reality – AMD, BackLight, Bricks and Goggles, EchoPixel, Firsthand Technology, FundamentalVR, Google, Groove Jones, HP Inc., HTC Vive, ImmersiveTouch, Innerspace VR, JAUNT, Magic Leap, Magnopus, Marxent Labs, Merge, Metagram, Microsoft, NextVR, Nvidia, Oculus VR, Osso VR, Osterhout Design Group, Prenav, Retinad Analytics, Samsung, Snap Inc., SpaceVR, Survios, Unity, Vertebrae, Virtuix, Wevr, WorldViz
- Mixed Reality(MR/XR)/Extended Reality – Accenture, EA, Activision Blizzard, Magic Leap, SONY, Ubisoft, Qualcomm
Besides looking at company websites under their “careers” page to find opportunities, you can also explore Hired.com and Monster.com.
- Employers recruit and hire according to specific cycles that vary by employer and opportunity type. By understanding and adapting your job or internship search strategy to the industry’s recruiting timeline, you are putting yourself in the best position to secure a full-time or summer position.
- The graphic below details when employers of differing types and sizes hire throughout the year. The darker areas indicate a higher level of recruiting activity, which is when you can expect most applications to open and close.
Key:
- Large companies: 1000+ employees, public or private
- Small companies and start-ups: Fewer than 250 employees, public or private
- Mid-size companies: May hire on either timeline, depending on the employer
- REUs: Research Experiences for Undergraduates, competitive opportunities for summer research, mainly in academia, funded by the National Science Foundation
- Government agencies: Federal, state and local
