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Virtual reality (VR) developer
Virtual reality (VR) developers create virtual environments which provide users with engaging interactive experiences, for use in video gaming, training and prototyping.
Also known as:
- Virtual reality (VR) designer
Work activities
Virtual reality enables new forms of storytelling, creates immersive learning environments, enhances training simulations (such as in aviation) and provides innovative solutions for design and prototyping. Virtual reality (VR) developers design, create, and maintain immersive virtual environments that provide users with engaging interactive experiences.
They begin by collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders to conceptualize the VR environment and design user-friendly interfaces. This involves detailed storyboarding and UX design to make sure the user interface (UI) is believable and easy to use. Much of their work involves programming, where they write and optimize code using languages such as C# and C++, often using VR development engines like Unity or Unreal Engine. They also focus on 3D modelling and animation, creating and optimizing assets to ensure a high-quality experience without performance issues. Rigorous testing and debugging are crucial, involving both quality assurance and user feedback to refine the application.
VR developers work closely with a multidisciplinary team, manage project timelines, and document their processes. They also have to stay on top of the latest VR technologies and trends, continuously experimenting and innovating to enhance their projects. Post-launch, they handle deployment, provide updates, and maintain the VR application to ensure its longevity and performance.
Personal qualities and skills
Some of the personal qualities needed by VR developers include:
- Problem-solving skills: Ability to troubleshoot and devise innovative solutions for technical challenges.
- Collaboration and teamwork: Effective communication and cooperation with a multidisciplinary team.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to new technologies and evolving industry trends.
- Attention to detail: Precision in creating high-quality and polished VR experiences.
- Time management: Efficiently managing multiple tasks and meeting project deadlines.
VR developers also need a range of technical skills:
- Proficiency in programming languages (C#, C++, JavaScript): Strong coding skills essential for developing VR applications.
- Experience with VR development engines (Unity, Unreal Engine): Ability to use popular VR development platforms effectively.
- 3D modelling and animation (Blender, Maya, 3ds Max): Skills in creating and optimizing 3D assets for VR environments.
- Understanding of VR hardware: Knowledge of various VR headsets and input devices, and their integration.
- UX/UI design: Designing intuitive and immersive user interfaces for VR experiences.
- Game development principles: Knowledge of game mechanics, physics, and animation within a virtual environment.
Pay and opportunities
According to Glassdoor, pay rates for VR developers range from £31,000 to £53,000, depending on experience and seniority. Trainees may start on a lower salary.
Employers include small agencies and startups. You may also find opportunities at large tech companies, as well as academic institutions carrying out research into the possibilities of VR technology.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised on employers’ websites, on the Government’s Find a Job services and industry jobs boards such as Technojobs, CrunchBoard and IT Pro.
Entry routes and training
Currently, the main route into this role is by gaining a university degree in one of the following subjects, or similar:
- 3D animation/design
- Computer programming/animation
- Computer science
- Games development
You may be able to find a relevant apprenticeship in one of the following pathways:
- Digital engineering technician (level 3 / advanced)
- Software developer (level 4 / higher)
You may also VR-specific apprenticeship schemes with employers such as Meta (who own Facebook) – they are currently building a virtual reality world called the ‘Metaverse’.
Qualifications
To qualify for a relevant degree course, you will typically need two or three relevant A-levels/equivalent plus GCSEs at grades C+ in English, maths and potentially other subjects as well. Although many subjects may be considered relevant, the following subjects will give you access to many courses:
For apprenticeships, the usual entry requirement is as follows:
- Advanced (level 3): Five GCSEs at grades C+, usually including English and maths.
- Higher (level 4+): Two A-levels, plus five GCSEs.
Although with apprenticeships, employers are usually less prescriptive than with degrees, relevant subjects like those listed above will give you access to the most opportunities.
If you don’t have the right GCSEs to do an advanced apprenticeship, you may be able to gain these alongside your apprenticeship programme.
Adult opportunities
Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.
If you don’t have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree course, a college or university Access course, for example, Access to IT/Computing, could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.
