Gameplay Programmer

Ninja Theory; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading games development studio in Cambridge is seeking a Senior Gameplay Programmer to design and implement core gameplay systems. The role requires strong knowledge in C++, software architecture, and collaboration with diverse teams. With a hybrid and flexible work model, the studio offers extensive benefits including generous holiday, private healthcare, and career development. This is a unique opportunity to be part of an award-winning team pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment.

Benefits

Hybrid work model

5 weeks holiday plus additional days

Enhanced family leave

Bonus scheme

Annual wellbeing allowance

Private healthcare

Mentoring and career development

Income protection

Life Insurance

Relocation assistance

Qualifications

• Proven track record in delivering gameplay features.
• Experience in a senior programming role.
• Education to at least degree level in a relevant subject.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement core gameplay systems.
• Collaborate with designers for gameplay tuning.
• Mentor other gameplay programmers.

Skills

C++

Software architecture

Game programming

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Degree in a relevant field

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

Job description

Location

You’ll be based in our Cambridge studio with the option for hybrid working so being within a commutable distance is essential. If this requires you to relocate to Cambridge, we offer visa sponsorship and relocation assistance.

Level

Senior or above

About us

Ninja Theory is a six-time BAFTA award winning games company based in Cambridge, UK, and part of Xbox Game Studios. Our diverse and welcoming team values collaboration, quality, and excellence. We strive to maintain an inclusive culture that empowers deep focus, rewards creativity, and supports personal and professional growth.

Our Mission

To Craft Life-changing Art with Game-changing Tech and we are committed to bringing together the best talent in the industry help us fulfil that promise.

Our Values

Greatness through Excellence, Teamwork & Integrity.

Your Role

As a senior member of our gameplay programming team, you’ll play a critical role in building gameplay systems that directly impact the player experience. You will work closely with designers and other disciplines to turn creative intent into robust, scalable and maintainable gameplay features, while assisting and providing technical leadership within the gameplay areas. You will:

• Design, implement, and maintain core gameplay systems and features from concept to ship
• Collaborate closely with game designers to support rapid iteration and gameplay tuning
• Own complex gameplay features, ensuring code quality, performance and long-term maintainability
• Contribute to gameplay architecture and technical direction, identifying risks and proposing pragmatic solutions
• Investigate, debug and resolve complex cross-discipline gameplay issues
• Review code, mentor other gameplay programmers, and sharing knowledge of systems you write and use, helping to raise the overall code standards
• Work effectively with director and production to balance technical quality, scope and delivery timelines

Requirements

We believe that skills and experience are not mutually exclusive. For that reason, we encourage you to apply even if you feel you don't meet 100% of the desirable requirements listed below.

Essential:

• Passion for games and games programming
• A good working knowledge of C++
• A good knowledge on software architecture and design patterns
• The ability to collaborate with a wide range of disciplines
• The ability to plan, own, develop and maintain gameplay systems/features
• The ability to investigate and resolve complex gameplay issues
• Clear and effective communication with both technical and non-technical team members

Your Experience

You’ll have a proven track record of delivering gameplay features in production environments and contributing at a senior level within programming teams.

Essential:

• Education to at least degree level, or equivalent knowledge, in any relevant subject
• Professional programming experience in a similar or related role
• Owned one or more gameplay specific areas (e.g. character movement, camera, combat)

Desirable:

• Experience in systems creation and maintenance in Unreal Engine 5
• Experience in Combat related systems creation and maintenance

Benefits

• Hybrid, flexible work model with no fixed working hours.
• 5 weeks holiday plus 1 additional day for each year of service up to a maximum of 33 days per annum, plus bank holidays.
• Enhanced family leave.
• Bonus scheme.
• Annual wellbeing allowance.
• Private healthcare including medical, dental, and optical cover.
• Mentoring and career development.
• Income protection.
• Life Insurance.
• Where applicable, relocation assistance and visa sponsorship.

Working from Ninja House, you will benefit from our custom-built studio which offers a luxurious setting with cutting-edge facilities at your fingertips, including full motion capture stage. You’ll also receive complimentary catered lunch from our on-site pub, The Bird or Worm?

Our Process

To ensure a fair and inclusive hiring process which aligns to our studio equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) strategy, we use anonymised screening which automatically obscures personal identifying information from applications, helping to reduce unconscious bias from the start.

Where possible, we kindly ask that you submit anonymised reels/portfolios to support our ED&I commitments.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a BAFTA Award winning studio in the Xbox Game Studios Group and be part of pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment.

Please note, this advert closes on Sunday 8th February 2026.