Keen Software House

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We believe that one of the strongest forces in the universe is the “need to create”: every time you build something out of nothing, every time you give shape and organization to something that has no structure – you are creating a miracle.

 

 

 

About us:

 

Keen Software House was founded in 2010 by Marek Rosa. Marek started as a programmer working independently on the Miner Wars games and the VRAGE engine. After some time Marek was joined by a few volunteers and a real studio was created.

We are an independent game development studio based in Prague, Czech Republic. Our main project is the sandbox video game 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 and our 𝐢𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐕𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞. The game 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 has sold almost 5 million copies worldwide.

VRAGE’s core feature is volumetricity within the environment. At this moment we are currently in the Research and development phase, exploring new features of the VRAGE engine! Our goal is to support extremely large and fully dynamic and destructible environments, including planets, large spaceships, and any other creations built by the players.

We want to create games that are based on real science, real facts, real physics and real emotions. No magic & fantasy allowed. If we step into the sci-fi area - as we did with Space Engineers and Miner Wars 2081 - we approach it from the hard-sci-fi angle. Every technology and every idea must be explainable using modern-era knowledge with very little extrapolation required.

KSWH is a studio with around 100  talented people working all across the world. As a company with a full remote policy they have more than 20 nationalities among ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

MEET OUR TEAM

 

 

Marek Rosa - CEO

 

Marek has been interested in artificial intelligence since childhood. He started his career as a programmer but later transitioned to a leadership role. After the success of the Keen Software House titles, Marek was able to personally fund GoodAI, his new general AI research company building human-level artificial intelligence.

GoodAI was founded in January 2014, with a $10 Million investment from Marek, it now has over 30 research scientists, engineers, and consultants working across its divisions.
At this time, Marek is developing Space Engineers, as well as leading daily research and development on recursive self-improvement based general AI architecture - Badger.

Do not hesitate to read more on our CEO´s blog

       

   

                                                               

                                                                                                                                    

Petr Minařík - Lead Programmer/ Researcher of Realistic Water Physics

Petr joined KSWH in 2011 as a programmer and was at the birth of an incredible success story.                                              

Over the course of more than 11 years, he has worked his way up to a leadership position and has become one of the key leaders behind the success of Space Engineers.
Given his passion and interest in the performance field, he currently leads water research with his small team of three.

 

     

Jan Hloušek - Technical Director

Jan´s journey  at KSWH started more than 6 years ago when he joined Keen as Render Team Lead. At this moment Jan is Technical Director and leader of the engine team.

 

    

Natiq Aghayev - Art Lead

Natiq joined KSWH in 2015 as a Senior 3D Artist and during first 2 years he proved his skills and incredible talent. At this moment Natiq is one of our Art team lead who is responsible for 5 of ours talented  3D Artists.

 

         

 

Kateřina Červená - Advanced QA Tester

 

Jan Trauške - Art Lead

 

Vladislav Polgar - COO


Gerd Fankhänel - Lead Game Designer

WE ARE INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTING FULL REMOTE WORK

Finding the best candidates to join Keen Software House means exploring every possible solution, including remote work. While we strive to provide team members with the best possible work-life balance here in Prague at our incredible Oranzerie offices, we understand that it is not always possible to transition, therefore we are very remote-friendly. Here’s a map of where our teammates live.

At this moment there are 20 nationalities from all over the world working at Keen:



 

 Who are we looking for?

Our company culture is defined by goals, rather than standards. We believe that there is always room for improvement and innovation. Adapting our goals and striving for improvement, rather than complacency and merely meeting some standard is at the core of our values.

  • Strive to establish a positive company culture and ensure our teams understand why our company culture plays a huge role in our success.

  • We want to earn the loyalty of our community and continue to grow that community. Our community can help serve as a guide to our future direction.

  • Every team member can take action to strengthen us, as a company, and ensure we deliver only our best.

  • Provide people with good working conditions. This includes our intern policy, equal opportunity, advanced education and personal development, flexibility, participation in external activities, and more.

 

You can get to know us, by understanding our values.

  • Results-Oriented: We measure ourselves only by our results.

  • No Limits: We can achieve anything. We are pushing our limits in technology and art.

  • Integrity: We have the courage to do the right, regardless of the consequences and/or the inconvenience.

  • Extreme Ownership: You must own everything in your world. There is no one else to blame. Doesn't matter if you are a leader or an individual contributor.

  • Excellence In Execution: Get what you demand; encourage what you tolerate.

  • Simplicity in design: Less is better; avoid feature creep; simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

  • Teamwork: We treat our colleagues with respect, supporting each other throughout to ensure we maximize the value for everyone while creating an atmosphere of trust.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are an equal opportunity company.

  • We oppose all forms of discrimination

  • We do not discriminate against any employee, service provider, or job applicant because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, nationality, national origin, marital status, or social class.

  • We do not tolerate intimidation, bullying, or harassment in any form.

  • Any form of discriminative behavior is unacceptable, be it in the workplace, in online communication, on social media. or any other format.

       

 

 

 

 

BENEFITS

Work-life balance

Healthy work-life balance and five weeks of paid holidays.

Unlimited sick days

We trust our people.

Freestyle home-office

Visiting the office is not mandatory, come anytime it suits you and your team.

Remote collaboration

Work from another country if you wish.

Competitive compensation

Competitive compensation and a generous bonus model.

Comfortable workplace

Comfortable working environment.

Family friendly

We are a family, and support family. We promote a healthy work-life balance.

Relocation package

For all our team members, we help with a transition to Prague if they wish to work from our fabulous offices.

Team socialization

Games, parties, outdoor activities, trips. Bring your family members!

Talent development

And long career rewards. One day every few weeks dedicated just for study. Company paid online and offline education courses, books and magazines, participation at industry conferences and workshops.

Studio cafeteria

Studio cafeteria with free coffee and healthy fruit days.

 

 

WHY TO RELOCATE TO PRAGUE?

Prague is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is the capital of one of the safest countries in the world, the Czech Republic.

With the nickname “the City of a Hundred Spires,” Prague is known for its stunning architecture and mystical Old Town. The city is also known for its comfortable transport, green spaces, and affordable living. Being in the heart of Central Europe also allows for easy travel across the whole of Europe.

 

ORANŽERIE - HOME OF KEEN SOFTWARE HOUSE

Marek Rosa bought the historic Orangerie to become the headquarters of both Keen Software House & GoodAI. The Orangery had been unoccupied for a long time, and when he bought it, it was in shell and core condition with no stairs or interior furnishings. Marek financed the entire renovation of the building, including the complete interior renovation (1086 sqm), the aesthetic aspects of which he was responsible for along with Albatros Design's Senior Project Manager, Petr Hiess, and GoodAI's COO, Olga Afanasjeva.

Marek wanted to preserve the historic character of the building while making it a cozy space for his team of over 70 researchers, developers, engineers, programmers, artists and more. He was actively involved in the interior design and set the aesthetic direction. His vision was to completely avoid the traditional "office" look of modern software company headquarters and instead create an interior that reflects the individuality of the people living there, inspires creativity, and evokes a cozy home environment.

The interior is decorated in an eclectic style and aims to respect and reflect the building's environment, historical heritage and the individuality of two modern societies. In the main meeting room, the original arches are preserved. The original brick walls are left partially visible as a reminder of the building's historical past. The kitchens are decorated with traditional tiles and each room has a distinctive look. The functional modern partitions are mostly glass, making the spaces and meeting rooms light and airy. The centrepiece of the property is a modern fireplace, which creates a cosy atmosphere on the ground floor connected to the garden.

Orangery in the process of renovation

 

Opening Live Stream

 

 

 

MEET OUR RECRUITERS                                  

 Šárka Krejčová  

 

 Part of Keen Software House since 2021

 Feel free to get in touch via Linkedin or Email

                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 Karolína Hůlová

 

 Part of Keen Software House since 2022

 Feel free to get in touch via Linkedin or Email

                                                                                       

 

What the recruitment process looks like:

In the first step, we will ask you to confirm that we can process your data and provide us your confirmation of our Data Policy and, where applicable, NDA.

Some positions also include a testing task to verify your seniority. At Keen Software House, seniority is divided into the following levels

Junior

A Junior is provided simple tasks. Whenever possible, tasks that help push or refine a Junior’s skillset are provided. A Junior has oversight from seniors and their work is reviewed often. 

Regular

A regular is able to do most tasks but will not work on major designs or changes. They should be able to work independently, with limited attention from seniors. 

To become regular, a Junior team member must fulfill the following requisites.

  • Finish at least 3 difficult tasks with an evaluation above expectations.

  • At least 6 months in the Junior position.

  • Regularly demonstrate clear communication with their Senior or Lead.

  • Have a stable work presence and be willing to provide additional help when needed.

  • Have a good awareness of the project.

Advanced 

Advanced team members are able to do difficult tasks, with little help, or entirely without help or the need to consult a Senior.

To become Advanced, a Regular team member must fulfill the following requisites.

  • Have results above expectations for at least 6 months.

  • Complete at least 6 difficult tasks in the Regular position, all evaluated above expectation. 

  • Demonstrate a mindset that reflects the big picture by being able to predict consequences and align goals with these expectations.

  • Have clear communication across the team.

  • Be able to present work in large groups and defend their ideas and proposals.

  • Know the project inside & out.

  • Bring fresh ideas and direction for the project.

  • Take full responsibility and demonstrate ownership in their area of expertise.

Senior

A Senior is able to do all tasks, even the most challenging or complex ones. A Senior thinks independently with their Leader simply confirming proposed solutions or ideas. 

To become a Senior, an Advanced team member must fulfill the following requisites.

  • Have tasks completed and on time with an excellent evaluation.

  • Be at least 6 months at the Advanced level.

  • Complete at least 10 difficult tasks finished while in the Advanced position.

  • Be able to mentor Juniors in the team and be a reliable and respected teammate.

  • Be able to design, present, and iterate difficult tasks, including cross-discipline communication.

  • Bring fresh ideas and directions for the project.

  • Full responsibility for multiple projects.

Lead 

An exceptional person, selected from the best Seniors, who is responsible for the project and the people assigned to their team. 

To become a Lead, a Senior team member must fulfill the following requisites.

  • Be able to lead a team, respect schedules, and prioritize the tasks.

  • Be able to represent the company in public - at conferences, streams, gatherings etc.

  • Be able to negotiate with partners and seek out new ones.

  • Be able to attract new people to the company.

  • Bring fresh ideas and directions for the project.

  • Responsibility for a team and whole/multiple project(s).


After testing task we will schedule together 1 hour interview, where will be representative from HR department together with Team leader and eventually another team member.
 
Remember do not hesitate to contact us if you would have any questions regarding open positions or our studio & culture.

    

 

Current Job Openings

Programmers

C# Programmer
On-site or remote from Czech/Slovak Republic