Senior/Principal Gameplay Programmer

Skillsearch; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Skillsearch is partnered with a UK game studio in Brighton, seeking a Senior/Principal Gameplay Programmer skilled in C++ and Unreal Engine 5. You will own core gameplay systems, work on open world features, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver high-quality gameplay experiences.

The role is hybrid in Brighton, UK, with a focus on ownership, technical excellence, and delivering tangible gameplay outcomes for ambitious AAA projects.

Qualifications

• Proven C++ and UE5 expertise at senior/principal level.
• Experience turning complex gameplay ideas into working systems.
• Strong understanding of game architecture and performance.

Responsibilities

• Own core gameplay systems and tools using C++/UE5.
• Develop open world streaming and world-partitioning solutions.
• Write clean, maintainable code and follow architecture best practices.
• Collaborate with design, art, and narrative teams from concept to polish.
• Debug, optimize, and tackle challenging technical hurdles.

Skills

C++ proficiency

Unreal Engine 5

Gameplay programming

Open world systems

Problem solving

Autonomy

Tools

Unreal Engine 5

C++ toolchain

Job description

Senior/Principal C++ Gameplay Programmer (Unreal Engine 5)

Location: Brighton, UK (Hybrid, 3 days a week)

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Visa Sponsorship: Not available (Must have existing right to work in the UK)

About the Studio & Opportunity

I am currently partnering with an award-winning, independent UK game development studio known for creating rich, narrative-driven titles and original IPs. They are actively expanding their engineering team to work on two exciting AAA projects developed in Unreal Engine 5, including a major new original IP. The studio culture is laid-back, inclusive, and anti-micromanagement. They place high value on creative freedom, open conversation, and ownership, making this an ideal home for a self-motivated senior engineer who wants their work to make a tangible impact.

The Role

As a Senior or Principal Gameplay Programmer, you will take true ownership of designing, building, and maintaining core gameplay systems and supporting technical frameworks. Reporting directly to the Technical Director, you will work alongside a close-knit, highly skilled engineering team (9 coders across 2 project squads) to turn complex technical challenges into engaging player experiences.

What you’ll be doing:

• Own Core Systems: Architect and implement high-quality gameplay systems, AI behaviours, and tools using C++ and UE5.
• Open World Development: Work closely with procedural generation techniques and large-scale open-world streaming/systems.
• Technical Best Practices: Write clean, maintainable source code and encourage strong architectural practices within the engineering group.
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Partner with design, art, and narrative teams to shape feature implementation from concept to final polish.
• Solve Tough Challenges: Dive deep into the codebase to debug, optimize, and overcome complex technical hurdles.

What We’re Looking For

• C++ & UE5 Expertise: Strong, battle-tested C++ skills with deep hands-on experience in Unreal Engine 5 at a Senior or Principal level.
• Gameplay Frameworks: Practical experience with UE5’s Gameplay Ability System (GAS), Behaviour Trees, and State Trees.
• Open World Experience: Exposure to systems-level programming for large open-world or procedural environments (e.g., streaming, world partitioning).
• Problem Solving & Autonomy: A self-starter mindset with the ability to take full ownership of features without needing to be micro-managed.
• Modern Tooling: Familiarity or curiosity around incorporating modern AI workflows/tools into everyday coding to streamline repetitive tasks.

Work Setup & Location

• Hybrid Working: 3 days in the office (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and 2 days remote/flexible.
• Office Location: Brighton, UK (a vibrant hub for UK game dev).
• Relocation Support: A dedicated relocation package is available for candidates moving within the UK/Europe with existing right to work in the UK.