Regular readers will know know we keep a close eye on Microsoft’s job postings, and occasionally come across something interesting.

The one below appears to be a pretty standard Project Natal job post, but then goes off into an unexpected tangent by demanding Windows Phone experience.

Does this mean that gesture-based UI is really coming to Windows Mobile?

Read the job post below and tell us what you think.

Sr Software Test Engineer (SDET) X box Live – Project Natal Job

Date: Feb 8, 2010

Location: Redmond, WA, US

Job Category: Software Engineering: Test
Location: United States, WA, Redmond
Job ID: 707967 11095
Product: Xbox Live
Division: Entertainment & Devices Division

Do you love Graphics? Want to take the latest graphics code, tools, and technologies for a ride before anyone else in the world? Want to participate in an effort to create the next generation of technology that will make our customers jump with excitement and our competitors shake with fear? If so, check out the Natal project – The Natal Platform Team is building the components at the core of this high profile project that is a huge part of the Microsoft consumer strategy. The result will be a revolutionary component for rich game and entertainment experiences that will forever change the face of entertainment. Do you have what it will take to help deliver on the vision? Jump in and find out…

Responsibilities include:
Design and implement graphics test cases which programmatically measure quality.
Investigate & implement new graphics testing techniques
Port existing graphics tests to new platforms
Write graphics test specifications
Lead by example
Own the quality of one or more feature areas in the System Test team
Identify product defects and track to their appropriate resolution
Collaborate with feature area Devs and PMs
Collaborate with partner teams
Provide feedback on key user scenarios, functional and technical designs, and
Contribute to overall product test planning and architecture
specifications.
Contribute to implementation of automation tools & solutions
Create and integrate test tools into test infrastructure
Qualifications include:
Experience writing graphics code with D3D10 or D3D11
Experience writing complex HLSL (or equivalent) shaders
Skills with 3D vector and matrix math
6 + years of product development and testing experience
Demonstrable experience of multiple successful product ship cycles
Strong C/C++ development and debugging skills
Able to work independently or with a team with minimal supervision
Excellent working knowledge of test methodologies and techniques
Utilization and evangelism of testing best practices
Experience with creating and enhancing existing automation systems
Examples of successful implementation of solutions to difficult product quality challenges
Familiar with test-driven development
Excellent problem solving skills
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Self disciplined and detail oriented
Solid understanding of the Xbox 360 software and system architecture desired
Experience working on Windows Mobile Phones a plus
A BA/BS in Computer Science or related technical discipline is required

Read the full job post here.

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About Surur

Site Admin and Windows Phone enthusiast, he has been using Windows Mobile devices since before they were called PocketPC’s. He is currently sporting a HTC 7 Trophy.

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