Principal Engine Programmer

2K; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

As a Principal Engine Programmer, you will lead engine technology development for an AAA title at a renowned gaming studio. Your expertise in debugging, collaboration, and performance optimization will be pivotal as you drive innovation and establish best practices within engineering teams.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

25 days annual leave

Life and income insurance

Private healthcare

Annual well-being allowance

Paid volunteering days

Relocation support

Qualifications

• Significant experience in engine development.
• Ability to own the delivery of core engine technology.
• Proficiency across multiple hardware/platforms.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teams to enhance engine technology.
• Debug and provide innovative solutions for engine issues.
• Lead efforts in building AAA title codebase.

Skills

Engine development

Optimisation

Performance metrics

Project planning

Job description

Job Description

As a Principal Engine Programmer, you will be a reliable solution finder, somebody who’s able to jump in with any problem while showing that you’re a collaborative leader in our engineering teams.

For this role, having the ability to switch between multiple threads and using your experience of working in complex codebases, you’ll be taking ownership on core engine technology while bringing innovative solutions and de-bugging hard problems. We want you to be able to expand on your knowledge and shape the best practice across the team.

Joining as our Principal Engine Programmer, your ideas will be highly valued while you work alongside your Lead and Technical Director assisting with shaping and contributing to the direction of the team. We want you to be hands on covering a range of skills with an overview on architectural systems and a broad view of different systems helping to the project hit it’s potential.

This is a great opportunity to become a real leader on a currently unannounced AAA title and a chance to develop the codebase not only on your immediate project but the potential to influence the wider Ubisoft Group too. We want you to have the freedom to test your abilities while being free to research and implement what is possible within the realms of AAA Game Development.

What you'll bring

At Ubisoft, we aim to be a destination of choice for the best talent. We want people like you, who will be instrumental in driving our studios to success.

• Significant experience in engine development;
• Ability to own the delivery of core engine technology for a scalable project(s);
• Experienced with optimisation and performance metrics for hardware;
• Proficiency across multiple hardware/platforms;
• Understanding of project planning and a collaborative approach;

Joining Ubisoft, you’ll be part of an inclusive global brand. With us, you will build upon your ongoing success and place your stamp on the production of our games and the development of our people. You’ll have the prestige of developing and producing exciting world-class AAA games and help showcase our studio as a market leader within our industry.

With us, you will find your future in one of the strongest knowledge bases in the games industry coupled with brilliant opportunities for career progression on a critically acclaimed brand portfolio.

What we'll provide

We put our people first through nurturing their creativity and wellbeing and the reason we continue to create engaging and compelling AAA titles that are loved across the world. We also value the art of collaboration and a sense of belonging, which is why we've embraced a hybrid working model that requires our team members to be on-site for an average of 3 days per week, fostering a vibrant and creative work environment that unites us in pursuing our shared goals.

• Everything you need to keep your life in balance - hybrid working, flexible core hours, 25 days of annual leave, Christmas shutdown, and a plan that will enable you to work from anywhere in the EU for up to four weeks per year
• Life insurance, income insurance, private healthcare, an annual well-being allowance, and more
• Generous resources committed to your perpetual personal and professional development
• Investment in our community - with paid volunteering days
• Fun and entertainment - with free games, activities, and celebrations
• Generous relocation support - should you need it

Positive mental health and wellbeing at work are priorities for us. We are a Gold Employer in the Mind Workplace Wellbeing Index, and partners of Safe in Our World. We run an inclusive Wellbeing Champions programme and provide a wide range of training and resources to support all of our people to proactively discuss and manage their own mental health, as well as support their team members.

Ready to Apply?

We aim to build the world’s most distinctive and diverse gaming studio; therefore, we strongly encourage you to apply. We’d love to hear about you and your background.

Find out more about Ubisoft Reflections by contacting Luke Murtagh, our Talent Acquisition Partner managing this vacancy:

Website: https://reflections.ubisoft.com/about/ubisoft-reflections

TA Partner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-murtagh-recruitment/

Our Social Channels: linktr.ee/UbisoftReflections

Link to Job Description

Principal Engine Programmer (last updated June 2025)

Company Description

At Ubisoft, we aspire to be a workplace where EVERYONE is supported, empowered and invited to join the game. We believe that by prioritising equity and inclusivity, we fuel creative endeavours and craft gameplay experiences that reflect and respect our uniquely talented game-makers and outstanding players.