Junior Game Programmer / Unreal Generalist (Unreal Engine)

Spiky Spike; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Spiky Spike in New York is seeking a Junior Game Programmer (Unreal) to join our fast-paced studio. You will report to the Lead Programmer and help build cutting-edge gameplay features and systems for roguelike titles.

The role emphasizes independent work, collaboration with multiple teams, and continuous learning to push storytelling through gameplay. Remote work is possible if you are based in NY state.

Qualifications

• Unreal Engine knowledge and C++ programming are essential.
• Experience with gameplay systems and AI programming is required.
• Familiarity with source control and performance profiling is expected.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement gameplay features in Unreal Engine.
• Collaborate with teams across departments to build systems and mechanics.
• Contribute to tooling and pipelines to improve development efficiency.

Skills

Unreal Engine Basics

C++ Programming

Source Control

Gameplay Ability System

Motion Matching

Procedural Content Generation

Gameplay Systems

AI Programming

Physics and Collision

Networking and Multiplayer

Animation Systems

Performance Profiling

Shader Programming

Scripting Languages

Plugin Development

Tool Development

Cross-Platform Development

Cinematics and Sequencer

Job description

Feb 25

Location: Hybrid Remote / in person NYC (can be fully remote if home address is in NY state)

Employment Type: Full Time

Experience Level: Junior (1–2 years)

About Spiky Spike:

We are Spiky Spike, a startup studio focused on creating innovative roguelike games with amazing storylines and narratives. Our goal is to push the boundaries of storytelling within the roguelike genre and provide unforgettable gaming experiences. We thrive in a fast-paced environment where creativity and productivity go hand in hand.

Responsibility: We take our role seriously and understand the impact of our work. Every promise, deadline, and milestone reflects our commitment to excellence and our passion for game development.

Accountability: We take ownership of our work and our mistakes. Accountability fosters teamwork and ensures the quality of our deliverables, building trust between us and our players.

Discipline: Making games is fun, but it requires rigorous discipline. Our adherence to workflows, processes, and schedules sets us apart and helps us achieve our ambitious goals.

Hard Work and Teamwork: We believe in finishing together. Our commitment to high-quality work is matched by our dedication to supporting each other and our players to the very end.

Communication: Clear and thorough communication is key at Spiky Spike. We ensure everyone—from team members to players—is aligned and informed.

Mastery: Our expertise is built on years of experience with the world’s leading games, engines, and platforms. We are committed to continuous improvement, ensuring we remain at the forefront of game development.

Curiosity and Continuous Learning: The video game industry is ever-evolving. We are perpetual learners, always adapting and applying the latest knowledge to stay ahead.

Job Description:

As a Junior Game Programmer (Unreal) at Spiky Spike, you will be a highly motivated and independent individual with a passion for gaming. Reporting directly to the Lead Programmer, you will play a key role in building cutting-edge technologies and developing features within our games. Collaborating with talented teams across various departments, you’ll contribute to creating systems and mechanics for our games. Your enthusiasm and creativity will help drive innovation in our projects.

Performance Metrics:

The Junior Game Programmer (Unreal) will be measured according to the metrics below, on a six (6) score rating scale:

Quality: “Did you successfully deliver the promise?”

On-time delivery of project deliverables

Outcome delivered as per project specifications

Outcome delivered as per specifications consistently

Quality: “Where do you stand with industry expectations?”

Time spent on an outcome is within project or budgeted man-days

New Competency: “Can you do things now that you couldn’t before?”

Successful application of new skills on a project which resulted in:

New opportunities/upsell as a direct result of new capabilities

Improved efficiency (time spent is less than budget)

Improved quality

Demonstration of new skill on a project task

Improvement of Existing Competency: “Are you getting better at what you do?”

Improved efficiency of existing skills, when comparing before/after completion time which resulted in:

Reduced frequency of repeat mistakes

Improved efficiency (time spent is less than budget)

Improved quality

Demonstration of growth/improvement of existing skills

Job Skills:

The Junior Game Programmer (Unreal) will possess the following competencies:

Production Ready:

Unreal Engine Basics

C++ Programming

Source Control (e.g., SVN, Perforce)

Gameplay Ability System

Motion Matching

Procedural Content Generation

Gameplay Systems

AI Programming

Physics and Collision

Networking and Multiplayer

Animation Systems

Performance Profiling

Additional Skills:

Shader Programming

Scripting Languages (e.g., Python, Lua)

Plugin Development

Tool Development

Cross-Platform Development

Cinematics and Sequencer

Spiky Spike is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.