MX Design Evaluator (KTP Associate)

Main duties and responsibilities:
De Montfort University is recognised for creativity, innovation, and industry partnerships. You’ll be based within the Faculty of Technology, Arts and Culture, which excels in applying mixed-reality technology to creative industries. You’ll have access to advanced facilities, research expertise, and a dynamic environment that supports experimentation and professional growth.

About the Role:
As a Knowledge Transfer Partnership Associate (KTP), you’ll be at the centre of a strategic collaboration between SDI Displays Limited and De Montfort University (DMU). You’ll lead the development of new tools, workflows, and pipelines that embed mixed-reality capabilities into SDI’s creative process, helping the business offer its clients innovative, technology-led retail experiences. We’re seeking a visionary MX Designer to lead a cutting-edge project fusing mixed reality (MX), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into immersive retail experiences for high-end brands.

Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the design and prototyping of MX/AR/VR environments for high-profile retail brands.
* Use generative AI and creative data-driven approaches to design and evaluate interactive retail experiences.
* Work with software such as Unreal Engine, Blender, Autodesk 3ds Max, Reallusion, SolidWorks, or similar tools to develop 3D content and workflows. Develop web-based creative workflows for collaborative design and review.
* Build and refine state-of-the-art pipelines, incorporating tools like motion capture, real-time rendering, and AI-assisted creative tools.
* Create a virtual studio environment for retail clients to visualise, interact with, and refine prototypes.
* Collaborate closely with academic and industry experts, applying research into commercial design solutions.
* Facilitate knowledge transfer by delivering workshops and training sessions to SDI staff, ensuring new skills and methods become part of everyday practice.

Ideal Candidate:
We’re looking for a passionate innovator who combines a flair for design with the technical skills to make it real. You should have an affinity for creative technologies and design thinking, ideally with experience in one or more of the following areas: Game Art, Animation, 3D Modelling, Interior or Product Design, Visual Effects, or Computer Science. Experience with VR/AR/MX development platforms (e.g., Unreal Engine, Unity, Blender, Autodesk suite) and affinity to learn new tools as needed. Understanding of generative AI tools and data-driven creative processes. Appreciation of design workflows, from concept creation to interactive prototyping. Ability to work collaboratively across creative and technical teams.

This KTP project is an exciting opportunity to lead the integration of AR/VR and mixed-reality technologies into the design and delivery processes of SDI Displays Limited, a leader in high-end retail environments. The role will bridge design, innovation, and technology, shaping how immersive tools can transform retail customer journeys and creative workflows.

As the KTP Associate, you will play a central role in exploring how cutting-edge immersive technologies can be applied in a commercial context — from accelerating concept development to redefining client engagement. This project will give you the opportunity to work at the forefront of innovation, developing new approaches that will set SDI apart as a sector leader while gaining valuable experience across both industry and academia.