Principal Gameplay Programmer

Level Up.; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading game development studio is seeking a Principal Gameplay Programmer to provide technical leadership and hands-on development for a new first-person shooter. The ideal candidate will define gameplay architecture, mentor engineers, and ensure high-performance gameplay code in Unreal Engine 5. This completely remote position offers the opportunity to work closely with various teams to develop innovative gameplay systems and features. Interested candidates should reach out with their CV.

Qualifications

• Significant experience with gameplay programming in AAA titles.
• Proficiency in Unreal Engine 5 and its networking model.
• Experience in mentoring and leading teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and own gameplay programming architecture for a large-scale UE5 project.
• Lead technical decision-making for player mechanics and combat systems.
• Ensure gameplay code is performant and supports live services.

Skills

Gameplay architecture

Technical leadership

Unreal Engine 5

Networking systems

Performance optimization

Job description

Principal Gameplay Programmer

This role is completely remote and offering a B2B contract

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Gameplay Programmer to provide technical leadership and hands-on development for a AAA first-person extraction shooter in Unreal Engine 5. This role is responsible for defining gameplay architecture, guiding technical direction across combat and systems, and ensuring scalable, high-performance gameplay code that supports long-term live development.

You will work closely with Design, Animation, AI, Network, and Production to shape moment-to-moment gameplay while mentoring senior and mid-level engineers.

Key Responsibilities

Gameplay Architecture & Leadership

• Define and own the gameplay programming architecture for a large-scale UE5 project.
• Establish best practices for gameplay systems, coding standards, and performance.
• Lead technical decision-making for player mechanics, combat systems, and systemic gameplay.
• Mentor and support gameplay engineers, providing code reviews and technical guidance.

Core Gameplay Systems

• Design and implement high-quality first-person gameplay systems, such as:
• Player movement and traversal
• Weapon handling, shooting mechanics, recoil, and ballistics
• Health, damage, armor, and progression systems
• Inventory, looting, and extraction mechanics
• Ensure gameplay feels responsive, readable, and competitive.

Networking & Multiplayer

• Architect and implement network-ready gameplay systems using UE5’s networking model.
• Ensure gameplay code is deterministic, performant, and secure.
• Collaborate with online and backend teams to support persistence and live services.

Performance & Optimization

• Profile and optimize gameplay systems for CPU, memory and network performance.
• Ensure gameplay code scales to large maps, high player counts, and long sessions.
• Identify and resolve systemic technical risks early in development.

Cross-Discipline Collaboration

• Partner closely with Designers to translate gameplay vision into robust systems.
• Work with Animation and Technical Animation to support animation-driven gameplay.
• Collaborate with AI, VFX, and Audio teams to deliver cohesive combat experiences.

This studio is searching for someone who will has principal or leadership experience, and is comfortable operating as a hands-on developer on a brand new IP. If this sounds like something of interest, please reach out to me at [e-mail] with your CV.