Lead Gameplay Programmer

Epic Games; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with match

Unlimited PTO

Mental well-being program

Sabbatical after 7 years

Job summary

Epic Games in Cary, NC seeks an experienced Lead Gameplay Programmer to direct gameplay teams for Rocket League. You will guide programming, collaborate with designers and artists, and drive feature development from concept to delivery.

The role emphasizes leadership, strong C++, and deep Unreal Engine expertise to deliver high-quality, live-service gameplay experiences on time.

Qualifications

• Experience with gameplay physics systems (simulation/collision/character physics).
• Experience with client-server replication and state synchronization.
• Proven leadership of programming teams on shipped AAA titles.
• Strong C++ skills and ability to design gameplay mechanics and tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the gameplay programming team and coordinate with other disciplines.
• Translate high-level features into actionable work items and delegate.
• Deliver core gameplay features on schedule and manage scope.
• Lead system design and review technical approaches to maintain code health.
• Collaborate with art/design leads to ensure gameplay meets requirements.

Skills

Gameplay physics

Network replication

Unreal Engine

C++

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

AI tooling (Claude Code)

Tools

Unreal Engine

Networking libraries

Job description

WHAT MAKES US EPIC?

At the core of Epic’s success are talented, passionate people. Epic prides itself on creating a collaborative, welcoming, and creative environment. Whether it’s building award-winning games or crafting engine technology that enables others to make visually stunning interactive experiences, we’re always innovating.

Being Epic means being a part of a team that continually strives to do right by our community and users. We’re constantly innovating to raise the bar of engine and game development.

ENGINEERING - GAMES

What We Do

Unreal projects have been leading the pack of real-time entertainment with our constantly growing team of engineering experts. We’re always improving on the tools and technology that empower content developers worldwide.

What You'll Do

We are seeking an experienced Lead Gameplay Programmer to direct gameplay teams within Rocket League. They will be responsible for leading the gameplay programming team and collaborating and iterating with gameplay programmers, game designers, producers, and artists. They will play a critical role in feature development for Rocket League.

In this role, you will

• Manage a team of seasoned gameplay programmers and be the primary hub of communication and information for other disciplines
• Distill high-level feature requests into meaningful, actionable work items and delegate effectively to the team
• Deliver core gameplay features efficiently and on time, and speak up when the team is over- or under-scoped
• Lead the vision for different gameplay systems and features and write code and do system design as needed
• Propose and review technical design, systems, and technical approaches to ensure that they satisfy requirements and promote a healthy codebase
• Work closely with art and design leads to ensure gameplay mechanics meet functional requirements and uphold our high standards
• Work closely with other programming disciplines to integrate systems in support of the player experience

What We're Looking For

• Experience developing gameplay physics systems (simulation, collision, character/vehicle physics, etc.)
• Experience with network replication systems (client-server prediction, state synchronization, lag compensation)
• Proven track record delivering live-service games or AAA MMO titles built on Unreal Engine
• Proven leadership experience managing high-performing programming teams on shipped AAA titles
• Strong C++ skills and the ability to code and design gameplay mechanics and tools
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to collaborate and communicate to work cross-functionally and give/receive constructive feedback
• Experience using AI coding assistants (e.g., Claude Code) to improve development efficiency and streamline programming workflows

EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE

Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.

About Us

Epic Games is a leading interactive entertainment company. For over 30 years we've been making award-winning games and engine technology that empowers others to make visually stunning games and 3D content that bring environments to life like never before. Epic's award-winning Unreal Engine technology not only provides game developers the ability to build high-fidelity, interactive experiences for PC, console, mobile, and VR, it is also a tool being embraced by content creators across a variety of industries such as media and entertainment, automotive, and architectural design. As we continue to build our Engine technology and develop remarkable games, we strive to build teams of world-class talent.

Like what you hear? Come be a part of something Epic!

Epic Games deeply values diverse teams and an inclusive work culture, and we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. Learn more about our Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy here.

Note to Recruitment Agencies: Epic does not accept any unsolicited resumes or approaches from any unauthorized third party (including recruitment or placement agencies) (i.e., a third party with whom we do not have a negotiated and validly executed agreement). We will not pay any fees to any unauthorized third party. Further details on these matters can be found here.