Education & Career Trends: December 27, 2023
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Excerpts are taken from an article published on circuitstream.com.
As extended reality (XR) tech – encompassing augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) – evolves and applications multiply, fresh opportunities for VR and AR jobs abound. A few years ago, virtual reality (VR) was primarily confined to video games and niche experiences. But now, an increasing number of companies are betting on XR.
The number of jobs for developers who specialise in creating immersive digital experiences will likely skyrocket in the coming years. The forecast is an estimate of over 23 million jobs by 2023. There may be many job openings for various skill levels: from entry-level positions to senior-level jobs with high salaries and excellent benefits.
How to get into AR/VR development and what are the skills required?
The best XR developers will be keenly aware of both the new technology and its limitations. Of course, you don’t need to be a programmer to do this job. You can also work as a visual artist or graphic designer who specialises in building virtual environments.
However, if you’re into computer programming, AR/VR development is one of the most exciting application areas for your skills.
Many technical skills are required for becoming an AR/VR developer. The very first thing you will need is a good understanding of 3D graphics. You should know what stack, shaders, and APIs are.
Having good problem-solving skills is also essential. You need to solve problems using the knowledge gained from your education and experience. You should be able to write efficient code in any language of your choice.
And lastly, you need to articulate your ideas and concepts well to engage effectively with all your clients in their respective mediums of communication. Employers will look for these traits in candidates while recruiting them for AR/VR developer roles.
Here are 7 in-demand AR and VR career paths
1. XR Developer
XR developers play a pivotal role in shaping how we work, learn, and engage with the world around us. They use their coding wizardry and understanding of VR, AR, and MR technologies to craft immersive experiences, whether exploring far-off galaxies, scaling mountaintops, or encountering fantastical creatures.
Beyond the realm of entertainment, XR developers enhance everyday life by creating AR apps that offer real-time information overlays, aiding navigation and enriching experiences. They also design training simulations that allow professionals to practice complex tasks in a risk-free environment.
Skill Requirements
XR developers should possess the following skillsets:
- Application development experience: Demonstrated experience in developing responsive applications, especially in 3D and animation development, typically within Agile Scrum engineering teams.
- Design skills: Some employers also value developers with design skills, including UX/UI design and an understanding of user-centered design principles.
- XR platform proficiency: Moderate to advanced ability in at least one XR platform, such as Unity or other emerging products, is essential.
- Programming experience: Highly skilled in programming languages such as C#, C++, Java, or similar languages. Any relevant programming certification is advantageous.
2. Software Developer
All companies investing in, testing, or venturing into XR will need XR software developers. For an industry growing so fast, the demand for developers will be quite exponential. However, the skills required to excel in this line of work will be just as dynamic as the industry’s growth. While most employers require you to code in C# and C++, the more languages you can work with, the better.
Skill Requirements
Some of the most frequently required skills for this job include:
- Two to five years of experience in VR, AR, or MR
- Practical experience with Unity
- Experience developing for Oculus, Vive, and other platforms
- C# development experience
3. AR/VR Maintenance and Support Technicians
Over time, equipment users have figured that unplanned production downtime is often due to factors not related to the machine’s age. The reality is that most equipment failures result from invasive predictive maintenance tasks, installation errors, and inappropriate repairs. Hence, factories use AR to reduce machine repair errors and improve their precision maintenance. That’s where AR/VR maintenance and support technicians come in. In this role, you’d ensure that AR/VR devices run smoothly. You’d also use your AR/VR expertise to educate maintenance and repair support staff on how to use AR technology for their duties.
Skill Requirements
Professionals in AR/VR maintenance and support should possess the following skillsets:
- Technical knowledge: A strong understanding of AR/VR technologies, 3D modelling tools (such as MAYA, 3D MAX, and Autodesk 3D), and maintenance practices for computer systems using Unity and other AR/VR systems.
- Problem-solving skills: Ability to identify and troubleshoot AR/VR systems and equipment-related issues, and develop innovative solutions to improve maintenance practices.
- Attention to detail: The ability to spot inconsistencies at a granular level is crucial to reducing machine repair errors and running accurate maintenance processes.
- Communication skills: Effective communication skills are important for collaborating with team members, conveying technical information, and providing training or support to end-users.
4. XR Designer
XR designers help organizations marry graphics and computer vision research. They work with artists and designers to build and improve on experiential prototypes, develop new visualisations and effects, and are responsible for their company’s 3D asset standards.
Skill Requirements
Professionals in XR design should possess the following skillsets:
- Application development experience: Moderate to advanced experience in developing responsive applications, especially in 3D and animation development.
- Design skills: Strong design skills, including UX/UI design, interaction design, and an understanding of user-focused design principles.
- XR platform proficiency: Basic to moderate knowledge in at least one XR platform, such as Unity and Unreal Engine, or another emerging product, is necessary.
- Programming experience: While only sometimes mandatory, having a solid understanding of programming languages such as C#, C++, Java, or similar languages can be advantageous for XR designers.
5. Software Engineer
Software Engineers in Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Realities are core parts of a company’s R&D team. They develop new software and build features that make disparate XR tools work together. Moreover, they work with both software and hardware components of VR/AR/MR products.
Skill Requirements
Some of the most frequently required skills for this job include:
- Systems programming in C#, C++, Objective-C, Swift, etc
- Experience working with multiple operating systems
- Research skills
- Server programming experience
6. Product Manager
Project managers lead product teams through the ideation, development, and launch of new XR products for developers or consumers. Brings organisational thinking into teams and develops structures for them to achieve their goals.
Skill Requirements
Some of the most frequently required skills and experience for this job include:
- Five to ten years in product management
- Experience in collaborating on projects with teams of designers, prototypers, product testers, and engineers.
- Lead customer experience and work environment
- Establish project frameworks
7. XR Gameplay Engineer
This person is responsible for building debugging, authoring, and profiling tools. They empower developers with solutions that lower their software iteration time. More so, they help to improve developer tools and boost their workflow efficiency.
Skill Requirements
Some of the most frequently required skills and experience for this job include:
- Three or more years of experience writing in python, C, and Java languages
- Experiences with Vulkan, OpenGL, or DirectX
- A Mathematics or Computer Sciences degree, or their equivalent
…
Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
What Can You Do With an Architecture Degree?
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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