Lead Gameplay Engineer

PUBG; San Ramon (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 206,000; Full time

Job summary

KRAFTON Americas in California is seeking a Lead Gameplay Engineer to guide a cross‑disciplinary team in building and refining game modes, systems and features for next‑gen experiences.

You will lead architecture planning, mentor engineers, collaborate with design and UI, and ensure performant, maintainable code and robust gameplay mechanics across platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, or equivalent.
• 7+ years of games industry experience with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
• Advanced leadership skills including empathy, strategic thinking and organization.
• At least 1 year of experience with Unreal Engine.
• Experience shipping games on consoles (PS5/XSX) and PC.
• Expert C++ skills and 3D math proficiency.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Demonstrable passion for making and playing video games.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Gameplay Engineers to create top-tier game modes.
• Oversee planning, development, and execution of game, engine, and architecture.
• Establish projects, initiatives, and processes aligned with studio goals.
• Take products and features from design phase to release.
• Collaborate with design, UI, and other disciplines to deliver最佳 player experience.
• Prototype and implement diverse game modes.
• Mentor teammates and review work, ensuring quality and maintainability.
• Create and maintain technical design documents.

Skills

C++

Unreal Engine

3D Math

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in software engineering or computer science

Tools

Unreal Engine

Job description

Lead Gameplay Engineer

Striking Distance Studios is looking for a Lead Gameplay Engineer to work in a cooperative, cross‑disciplinary team environment to help the team implement a wide variety of features and systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Gameplay Engineers to create best in class Game Modes.
• Lead the overall planning, development, and execution of the game, engine and architecture.
• Establish tech projects, initiatives, and processes in conformance with the studio’s goals and objectives.
• Take new products and features from the design phase to release.
• Work across disciplines to build, refactor and maintain a variety of robust, flexible, and well‑architected gameplay features, including controls, abilities, AI, and RPG systems.
• Prototype and implement different game modes.
• Work with design team on different features like 3Cs, combat systems, inventory, etc. to get the best player experience.
• Implement metagame features, including save systems, game settings, etc.
• Work with UI engineers to integrate HUD elements with gameplay features in the best way.
• Review the work of other engineers and provide mentorship on your area of knowledge.
• Create and maintain technical design documents.
• Delve into code written by other engineers and take ownership of existing systems as needed.
• Keep current on technological developments and advancements.
• Research and develop coding techniques and algorithms.
• Collaborate with technology director on technical design and feature roll out.
• Write clear, maintainable, portable, and highly performant code.
• Communicate accurate status updates to your team leads, producers, and QA regarding tasks/features you are responsible for.
• Adhere to team coding standards and best practices.
• Foster a culture of open, honest, and respectful communication across all disciplines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in software engineering, computer science, or equivalent.
• At least 7 years of games industry experience and preferably 3 years or more in a similar role.
• Advanced leadership skills, including high empathy, strategic thinking, positivity, organization, responsibility and conflict resolution skills.
• At least 1 year of experience with Unreal Engine.
• Experience shipping games on current generation consoles (PS5 or XSX) and PC.
• Expert ability to be self‑directed, focused and detail oriented.
• Expert C++ skills.
• 3D math skills.
• Expert verbal and written communications skills.
• A demonstrable love / passion for playing and making video games.
• A highly communicative and collaborative disposition.

Reasonable Accommodation

KRAFTON Americas is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the Company will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to apply for an open position, perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the HR Talent team at KRAFTON Americas, to begin the interactive process.

EEOC Statement

KRAFTON Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

Salary

In California, the expected salary range for this position is $150,000-$206,000. The listed expected salary range represents a good faith estimate and the actual pay may depend on a variety of job‑related factors that can include experience, education, skills, and location.

Apply

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply at jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Krafton we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Contact

Due to recent scams, our recruiters will only reach out to you via @sds.com, @krafton.com, @unknownworlds.com or @pubg.com. If you received an email and are unsure you can always email [e-mail].