Junior Gameplay Programmer (Unreal Engine)

etc. interactive; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Job summary

etc. interactive, based in New York City, seeks a Junior Gameplay Programmer to build core mechanics for an extraction shooter. You will prototype and implement gameplay, ranging from movement to inventory and UI, while collaborating with senior engineers and designers to drive features toward alpha testing.

Ideal candidates have 0–3 years of experience with Unreal Engine, C++, and Blueprints, and enjoy fast-paced startup collaboration in a hybrid NYC studio.

Qualifications

• 0–3 years of game programming experience, including academic projects or indie work.
• Solid object-oriented programming knowledge and Unreal Engine experience.
• Proficiency with C++ and Blueprints, plus strong collaboration and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Implement and iterate core gameplay mechanics in Unreal Engine using C++ and Blueprints.
• Develop weapon systems, player controllers, and interactive environments.
• Prototype features with designers and tune gameplay loops.
• Integrate backend services and player analytics into the game client.
• Write clean, documented code and participate in code reviews.
• Identify bugs and optimize multiplayer performance.

Skills

Unreal Engine

C++

Blueprints

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Tools

UE4/UE5

Job description

We are seeking a driven and collaborative Junior Gameplay Programmer to help build the core mechanics of our upcoming extraction shooter. Working closely with our senior engineers, you will prototype, implement, and refine gameplay features ranging from character movement and weapon handling to inventory management and UI integration. This is an incredible opportunity to grow your skills in Unreal Engine while having a direct impact heading into alpha testing.

Responsibilities

• Implement and iterate on core gameplay mechanics using Unreal Engine C++ and Blueprints
• Assist in the development of weapon systems, player controllers, and interactive environment elements
• Collaborate with designers to rapidly prototype new features and tune existing gameplay loops
• Help integrate backend services and player engagement analytics into the game client
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code, participating in regular code reviews
• Identify and resolve bugs, optimizing game performance for a smooth multiplayer experience

Qualifications

• 0–3 years of experience in game programming (can include academic projects, modding, or indie development)
• Solid understanding of object-oriented programming principles
• Hands-on experience with Unreal Engine (UE4 or UE5), including both C++ and Blueprints (Preferred)
• A strong passion for the extraction shooter genre and competitive multiplayer games
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to learn new systems quicklyStrong communication skills and the ability to thrive in a highly collaborative, fast-paced startup studio

Location

This is a hybrid role based out of our New York City studio. Candidates must be located in, or willing to relocate to, the NYC metro area.

The expected base salary range for this position is $85,000 to $115,000 per year (+ Equity). The actual compensation offered will be determined in good faith based on the candidate's experience, qualifications, and skills.