Senior Gameplay Software Engineer

Electronic Arts; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading video game company in Vancouver is seeking a Senior Gameplay Engineer to design and implement high-quality gameplay systems for their MMA game franchise. You will co-create player experiences, mentor junior engineers, and ensure that gameplay systems are responsive and scalable. The ideal candidate has over 6 years of experience in gameplay programming, strong C++ skills, and a collaborative mindset. This position offers a hybrid work model, combining remote and on-site work.

Benefits

3 weeks vacation per year

Extended health/dental/vision coverage

Life and disability insurance

Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience in gameplay programming or game development engineering.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and real-time game engine programming.
• Demonstrated experience designing or implementing gameplay systems.

Responsibilities

• Co-Create the Core Player Experience with designers and product leaders.
• Design & Build High-Quality Gameplay Systems.
• Collaborate and Elevate the Team by mentoring junior engineers.
• Deliver World-Class Performance in gameplay systems.

Skills

Gameplay programming

C++

Game engine programming

Collaborative skills

Problem-solving

Job description

Description & Requirements

Electronic Arts creates next‑level entertainment experiences that inspire players and fans around the world. Here, everyone is part of the story and part of a community that connects across the globe. A place where creativity thrives, new perspectives are invited, and ideas matter. A team where everyone makes play happen.

The EA SPORTS UFC franchise delivers the spectacle, strategy, and intensity of MMA to tens of millions of players worldwide. Our Vancouver‑based team is pushing the boundaries of interactive combat—crafting fluid, expressive, responsive gameplay that feels both fun and deeply authentic.

As a Senior Gameplay Engineer, you will play a critical role in shaping the future of the world’s premier fighting game experience. This is a rare opportunity to blend technical excellence, creative problem solving, and collaborative design to bring true‑to‑life MMA combat to players everywhere.

If you’re excited about building innovative gameplay systems, iterating with world‑class designers, and crafting unforgettable player experiences, this is the role for you.

You will be working on a hybrid model, 3 days a week from our EAV Studio in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Your Impact

• Co‑Create the Core Player Experience – Partner closely with designers, animators, AI engineers, and product leaders to brainstorm, prototype, and refine new gameplay mechanics. Help shape the feel and responsiveness of combat: striking, grappling, footwork, timing, reactions, and more.
• Design & Build High‑Quality Gameplay Systems – Architect and implement gameplay features that drive authentic, dynamic, and expressive MMA gameplay. Own systems end‑to‑end, ensuring clarity of design, technical robustness, and performance across all platforms. Rapidly test new combat ideas and iterate based on player feel, internal feedback, and design vision. Investigate new technical approaches, including animation, physics, and game AI, to elevate player control and immersion.
• Collaborate and Elevate the Team – Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team best practices, code quality, and technical strategy. Work fluidly across disciplines to ensure gameplay features integrate cleanly with audio, presentation, rendering, online, modes, and tools.
• Deliver World‑Class Performance – Ensure that gameplay systems remain fast, scalable, and responsive across platforms. Identify performance bottlenecks and guide teams toward optimized solutions.

Your Qualifications

• 6+ years of professional experience in gameplay programming or game development engineering.
• Strong proficiency in C++ and real‑time game engine programming.
• Demonstrated experience designing or implementing gameplay systems such as combat mechanics, character control, AI decision making, animation‑driven gameplay, or physics‑based interactions.
• Ability to collaborate deeply with designers and other creative partners, turning concepts into polished in‑game experiences.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to break down complex gameplay challenges into executable plans.

Bonus / Preferred

• Experience working on a fighting game, combat system, action game, or sports game with authentic simulation requirements.
• Exposure to or interest in machine learning techniques for AI and animation systems.
• Familiarity with animation pipelines, motion matching, physics simulation, or AI behavior trees.

Why Join Us

• Shape authentic MMA gameplay enjoyed by tens of millions of players.
• Work on a wide range of systems: combat mechanics, animation systems, AI, physics, input responsiveness, performance optimization, and more.
• Influence design direction and contribute creatively.
• Be part of a studio that encourages experimentation, iteration, and innovation.
• Grow your technical and creative career in one of EA SPORTS’ most ambitious and dynamic franchises.
• Help define how players around the world experience the thrill, strategy, and artistry of mixed martial arts.

Compensation and Benefits

In British Columbia, we offer a package of benefits including vacation (3 weeks per year to start), 10 days per year of sick time, paid top‑up to EI/QPIP benefits up to 100% of base salary when you welcome a new child (12 weeks for maternity, and 4 weeks for parental/adoption leave), extended health/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, retirement plan to regular full‑time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.

Legal

Electronic Arts is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, religion, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, family status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will also consider employment qualified applicants with criminal records in accordance with applicable law. EA also makes workplace accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as required by applicable law.