Gameplay Programmer: Unreal Engine (Vehicles & Combat)

Upsurge Studios; Melbourne; Remote; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote role

Flexible time zones

Job summary

Upsurge Studios is seeking an experienced Gameplay Programmer to help develop an original internal IP using Unreal Engine 5. The project sits in early prototyping and pre-production with a small team focused on core gameplay, especially vehicle-focused mechanics, physics, and combat.

You will work independently and with a tight-knit team to turn early concepts into playable prototypes, applying robust coding practices and collaborating closely with designers.

Qualifications

• Strong C++ fundamentals and UE5 experience with Blueprint skills.
• Experience with physics-based gameplay, including rigid bodies, collisions, impulses, and friction.
• Familiarity with Git and resolving merge conflicts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and prototype gameplay systems and mechanics in Unreal Engine 5.
• Implement and refine vehicle movement, handling, physics, and combat-related systems.
• Collaborate with designers to evaluate gameplay ideas, test prototypes, and iterate based on feedback.
• Identify technical challenges, propose practical solutions, and develop maintainable, expandable gameplay systems.

Skills

C++ fundamentals

Unreal Engine 5

Blueprints

Physics-based gameplay

Git

UE frameworks (GAS, CommonUI, State/AI

Lyra Starter Game

Data-driven design

Coding best practices

Communication

Tools

Unreal Engine architecture (Pawn/Controller/GameMode)

Data Assets/Data Tables

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Gameplay Programmer to join our team and help develop an original internal IP using Unreal Engine 5.

The project is currently in its early prototyping and pre-production stage, with a small team focused on exploring and establishing the core gameplay experience, particularly around vehicles, driving mechanics, physics, and vehicle-based combat.

We are looking for someone who enjoys experimenting with ideas, solving technical challenges, and turning early concepts into playable prototypes. You should be comfortable working independently, taking ownership of your work, and collaborating closely with a small development team.

We are looking for an experienced Gameplay Programmer to join our team and help develop an original internal IP using Unreal Engine 5.

The project is currently in its early prototyping and pre-production stage, with a small team focused on exploring and establishing the core gameplay experience, particularly around vehicles, driving mechanics, physics, and vehicle-based combat.

We are looking for someone who enjoys experimenting with ideas, solving technical challenges, and turning early concepts into playable prototypes. You should be comfortable working independently, taking ownership of your work, and collaborating closely with a small development team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and prototype gameplay systems and mechanics in Unreal Engine 5.
• Implement and refine vehicle movement, handling, physics, and combat-related systems.
• Collaborate with designers to evaluate gameplay ideas, test prototypes, and iterate based on feedback.
• Identify technical challenges, propose practical solutions, and develop maintainable, expandable gameplay systems.

Requirements

• Strong C++ fundamentals and experience using C++ in Unreal Engine 5, alongside solid Blueprint skills and an understanding of when to use each.
• Good understanding of physics-based gameplay, including rigid bodies, collisions, impulses, constraints, and friction.
• Proficiency with Git, including resolving merge conflicts and managing file locks.
• Experience implementing features using Unreal Engine's gameplay architecture (Pawn, Controller, PlayerState, GameMode, GameState), data-driven design (Data Assets, Data Tables, Choosers), and common C++ coding patterns.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine frameworks such as Gameplay Ability System (GAS), CommonUI, StateTree, EQS, and the Lyra Starter Game.
• Ability to follow established coding guidelines, conventions, and development standards.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Nice to Have

• Hands-on experience developing vehicle gameplay in Unreal Engine, including Chaos Vehicles or custom/third-party physics solutions, wheel and suspension setups, tire behaviour, and tuning handling and game feel.
• Experience developing vehicle combat systems, including weapons, damage, and physics-based interactions.
• Experience with Unreal Engine networking and replication.
• Ability to work with Animation Blueprints and the Material Editor for prototyping.
• Experience developing and refining the 3Cs (character, camera, and controls).
• Previous involvement in developing original IPs or working on projects during early-stage prototyping especially vehicle or racing type games.

Location

Our team is primarily based in Australia and Japan, and candidates located in either country are preferred. However, we are open to considering experienced applicants from other locations who can collaborate effectively across time zones. This is a fully remote role.