Game Systems Engineer

Pipeworks; Eugene (OR); On-site; USD 92,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

401K with employer match

Paid Time Off

Relocation

Paid Parental Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Pipeworks Studios is seeking a Game Systems Engineer in Eugene, OR. This role is an autonomous, hands-on contributor responsible for the design, development, testing, and rollout of medium-complexity features and systems, collaborating with content creators and a small engineering team.

You will translate product goals into technical solutions, write high-quality code, and maintain clear communication about risks and progress within sprints.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional engineering experience.
• At least one shipped commercial game or substantial production release.
• Proficiency in C++ with familiarity in C#.
• Ability to own medium-complexity features from design through rollout and ongoing support.

Responsibilities

• Own the technical design, development, testing, documentation, rollout, and support of medium-complexity features and systems.
• Break larger bodies of work into smaller tasks and coordinate with one or two engineers as needed.
• Parallelize work across development, code review, testing, feedback, and dependencies.

Skills

C++

C#

Gameplay systems

UI systems

Graphics

Performance optimization

Networking

Debugging

Independent work

Communication

Education

Degree helpful (CS/Engineering)

Job description

Game Systems Engineer

Department: Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Eugene, OR

Compensation: $92,000 - $110,000 / year

Description

Pipeworks Studios is seeking an experienced Engineer. This is a hands-on individual-contributor role for an engineer who can work autonomously, own the technical design, development, and rollout of medium-complexity features and systems, and help the broader team succeed.

The ideal candidate will work independently, communicate clearly about progress and risks, stay open to feedback, and enjoy working directly with content creators. This role may involve coordinating work with one or two other engineers, but it does not require formal people management or ownership of an entire project.

Day To Day

Responsibilities

• Own the technical design, development, testing, documentation, rollout, and support of medium-complexity features and systems.
• Break larger bodies of work into smaller tasks, provide first-pass estimates, and coordinate implementation with one or two other engineers when appropriate.
• Parallelize work across active development, code review, automated testing, feedback, and questions so progress continues while dependencies are resolved.
• Translate product and creative goals into practical technical solutions, identifying dependencies, risks, edge cases, and tradeoffs early.
• Treat systems as if they are already live by writing defensive code, maintaining high attention to detail, and communicating risks before they affect the team.
• Write consistently high-quality, readable, maintainable, and well-tested code that follows team conventions.
• Investigate difficult bugs and technical issues using debuggers, profilers, logs, source control, documentation, and other appropriate tools.
• Work autonomously in a large or unfamiliar codebase, keep Jira tickets, statuses, and estimates current throughout sprints, and communicate status so progress and problems are visible.
• Participate proactively across engineering, design, art, production, QA, and other team channels; ask questions early, reduce ambiguity, and help the group reach positive outcomes.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

Must Haves

• Substantial professional experience developing and delivering production software in a collaborative environment.
• Proficiency in C++ with familiarity in C#
• Proficiency in at least three game engineering domains, such as gameplay, UI, animation, graphics, performance optimization, networking, online services, web development, tools, or automated testing.
• Demonstrated ability to own medium-complexity features or systems from technical design through rollout and ongoing support.
• Strong debugging, resourcefulness, and systems-thinking skills, including the judgment to investigate methodically and ask for help when appropriate.
• Consistent commitment to code quality, testing, maintainability, defensive programming, and team best practices.
• Ability to work autonomously in a large or interconnected codebase while remaining patient and open to feedback.
• Clear, direct, professional, and concise communication, including proactive updates about progress, risks, dependencies, and requests for help.

Nice-To-Have Skills

• Experience shipping a commercial game or another substantial production release.
• Experience shipping a AAA project
• Experience working across multiple platforms, including PC or console.
• Experience with performance optimization, memory management, multithreading, networking, backend services, tools, automated testing, build systems, or development workflows.
• Experience mentoring engineers or improving team documentation, processes, and coding practices.
• Experience working directly with clients or external development partners.

Education & Experience

• 5+ years of relevant professional engineering experience, or equivalent practical experience.
• At least one (1) shipped commercial game or another substantial production release is preferred.
• A degree in computer science, engineering, or a related field is helpful but not required when equivalent professional experience is demonstrated.

What We Can Offer You

A Flexible Working Environment

Almost all of our roles allow for your choice of work location. We're happy to support our team no matter where they prefer to work: remote, in office, or hybrid.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401K with employer match
• Employer Paid Life Insurance Policy
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 17-20 Paid Company Holidays
• Relocation
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Fitness Club Discounts
• Sports Team Sponsorship
• Annual Company Events
• Project Wrap Parties

A Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Pipeworks Studios recognizes the importance of creating an environment where all of our employees feel included and empowered to bring ideas to the the table. We value each employee's unique experiences and perspectives and recognize that it is both the smart and right thing to foster diversity, equity and inclusion within our organization.

By diversifying our workforce, increasing equity, and ensuring that our individual differences are valued, we are better able to deliver an experience that reflects, inspires, and connects with our audience... because games are for everyone!

Pipeworks provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.

Go to Pipeworks.com to see some of our continued efforts and our latest Diversity Report.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in a job description.

Our top priority is finding the best candidate for the job and if you are interested in the position, we would encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of the qualifications above.