Anthony Zalar

About Anthony Zalar

I build things that bring ideas to life—whether that’s a VR surgical simulator that helped power patented medical techniques, an AR prototype for Magic Leap, or a 3D visualization that lets you explore space data in real time. For me, the fun is in solving problems creatively and finding ways to make complex tech feel intuitive, useful, and maybe even a little inspiring.Right now, I lead interactive demo development at SAIC, where my team and I get to showcase what’s possible with XR, AI, and cloud technology to audiences ranging from NASA to the Space Force. Along the way, I’ve built tools that cut project time by 85%, dashboards that turn data into insights at a glance, and experiences that connect with thousands of people at major events.What drives me most is collaboration—I love working across disciplines with designers, engineers, and business leaders to push boundaries and make something new together. If you’re building projects at the intersection of creativity and technology, I’d love to connect.

Experience

1. Creative Technology Lead Senior Xr Engineer

   SAIC

   Nov 2021 — Present

   Direct strategic vision and roadmap for all interactive demo platforms presented at national Tier 1 tradeshows attendees).Secured NASA Artemis work by developing a real-time 3D simulation integrating AI, digital engineering, and lunar surface data.Combined LLMs and RAG pipelines to transform satellite data into interactive XR visualizations.Led cross-functional teams (marketing, legal, engineering, design) to define engagement strategies for Space Force, Air Force, Army, and Navy.Developed automation tools that reduced reporting time from hours to seconds, boosting visibility across internal teams.Built analytics dashboards and KPI reporting tools for executives to assess demo success and inform long-term strategy.Created and maintain a reusable prototyping toolkit that cut new project setup time by 85%, accelerating delivery.

Education

• Kanazawa Institute of Technology

  Study Abroad

  2014 — 2014

• Burren College of Art

  Study Abroad

  2016 — 2016

• Paderborn University

  Study Abroad

  2014 — 2014

• Rochester Institute of Technology

  Master of Science (MS) and Bachelor of Science (BS), Game and Interactive Media Design

  2012 — 2017

Skills

• After Effects
• Teamwork
• Html5
• Photoshop
• 3d Modeling
• Cascading Style Sheets (Css)
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Programming
• Html
• Java
• Animation
• Research
• User Interface Design
• Adobe Photoshop
• Video Games
• Microsoft Office
• C++
• Maya
• Public Speaking
• Game Design
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Reporting & Analysis
• Game Development
• Interaction Design
• Game Design Documents
• C#
• Unreal Engine
• Microsoft Word
• Leadership
• Unity3d
• Level Design
• Css