XR Developer

Advert Reference Number: 1263

Job Location: Milton Keynes

Department: Engagement and Partnerships

Salary: £38,784 to £46,049

Closing Date: 11 January 2026

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Fixed Term Contract: End Date:

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

The Open University XR Studios in Milton Keynes are a new state-of-the-art extended reality and advanced media production facility, comprising motion and volumetric performance capture, LED volume virtual production, and related specialist equipment for 3D scanning, 360-degree photography and videography, and virtual outside broadcast and recording. An integral part of the studios is an advanced sports and natural sciences lab.

The XR Developer will play an important role in our mission to deliver innovative 3D and immersive content and experiences right across the curriculum, for 100K+ OU students worldwide.

Please note: while this is a hybrid role, there is a requirement to work on site in Milton Keynes 4 days per week. We do also ask for flexibility here in response to business needs.

Key Responsibilities

The XR Developer will strengthen the programming capabilities of The Open University’s XR Studios team, which includes XR Technical Lead, Studio Project Manager, academic leads, and 3D and technical artists and developers.

Specific duties include:

• Design, develop and optimise immersive XR learning experiences for delivery online, on mobile and on headset
• Work closely with teaching staff and members of the XR Studios team to define feasible, effective and creative solutions
• Explore and integrate the extent of the XR Studios’ capabilities including motion and volumetric capture and 3D scanning, for interactive learning experiences in virtual worlds
• Ensure readiness of development assets and environments for real-time rendering and capture including Unreal and Unity projects and configurations
• Support data management, archiving, restoring and tracking data
• Maintain clean, well-documented and testable code.

About You

Essential

• Programming skills: C#, C++, Python, Java
• Proficiency with games engines (Unreal Engine, Unity), including optimisation, lighting, feedback, spatial audio, profiling, logging
• Experience of DevOps and tools such as Git, Docker, Perforce
• Agile project management skills and cross-functional collaboration
• Understanding of interaction and UI/UX design
• Creative and pragmatic approach to problem solving.

Desirable

• Experience of one or more of: motion, performance and volumetric capture, 3D modelling, animation, vfx, and virtual production
• Experience with XR-specific software development kits (SDKs) for AR and VR platforms, such as OpenXR, Meta SDK, Microsoft Spatial Tools
• Experience of usability testing or accessibility for spatial applications
• First degree in a relevant subject (or relevant professional experience).

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Shortlisting will take place on 19 January 2026

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting statement of no more than 1000 words outlining how you meet the essential criteria.

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.