Lead Software Engineer, Engine Systems

BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 124,000 - 229,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. in Irvine, CA is seeking a Lead Engine Systems Engineer to drive core technology across streaming, asset loading, job scheduling, performance systems, platform support, and runtime systems for audio, physics, UI, VFX, and more.

This role balances hands-on engineering with leadership to deliver scalable engine tech for Diablo experiences. You will lead and mentor engineers, define requirements with leadership, and shape the roadmap for engine capabilities powering

Qualifications

• 8+ years in game development engineering.
• Experience with proprietary C++ engines / Unreal Engine.
• Experience tuning engine systems for PC and consoles.
• Leadership experience, including at least one shipped title.
• Strong multithreading, performance analysis, and optimization skills.
• Ability to write production-grade C++ code.
• Ability to commit clean, testable code.

Responsibilities

• Manage, evaluate, and mentor the engineering staff of the engine core team.
• Act as the primary point of contact for required engine functionality, collaborating with multi-disciplinary stakeholders and with project leadership to define and execute project requirements.
• Partner with the production staff and the rest of the leadership team for milestone planning and tracking development progress.
• Author and maintain technical design documents that outline key project architectural decisions, features, milestones, and technical risks.
• Provide engine-based guidance and define best practices that empower designers, artists, and gameplay engineers to deliver the vision of the game and ensure we delight and entertain our players.
• Partner in driving processes and tooling necessary to ensure the game runs smoothly and efficiently across multiple hardware platforms of varying capabilities.

Skills

C++

Unreal Engine

Multithreading

Performance analysis

Code optimization

Mentoring engineers

Strong communication

Education

Computer science degree

Tools

Unreal Engine tooling

Job description

Team Name: Diablo Job Title: Lead Software Engineer, Engine Systems Requisition ID: R027633 Job Description: We need you The minions of hell are growing stronger… Join us as we continue to shape the Diablo universe! Diablo games are action RPG experiences with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot. Come work with us, and together we’ll create something amazing. Our team of passionate developers is growing. We are seeking a Lead Engine Systems Engineer to help drive the creation of new ARPG experiences within one of Blizzard’s most iconic worlds, Diablo. In this role, you will lead and support a team of engineers focused on advancing the core technology that powers the game, including streaming, asset loading, job scheduling, performance systems, platform support, and key runtime systems across audio, physics, UI, VFX, and more. You will partner closely with engineering leadership and cross-disciplinary teams to identify technical risks, shape priorities, and guide the roadmap for critical systems that enable smooth, stable, and performant gameplay across platforms. This role balances hands‑on technical contribution with team leadership, helping deliver scalable engine technology that supports both current and future Diablo experiences. This role offers a flexible hybrid work week, with a mix of remote and on‑site days. While hybrid is the standard arrangement, you’re also welcome to work on‑site full‑time if you prefer. Our primary studio locations are Irvine, CA or Albany, NY.

Responsibilities

• Manage, evaluate, and mentor the engineering staff of the engine core team.
• Act as the primary point of contact for required engine functionality, collaborating with multi‑disciplinary stakeholders and with project leadership to define and execute project requirements.
• Partner with the production staff and the rest of the leadership team for milestone planning and tracking development progress.
• Author and maintain technical design documents that outline key project architectural decisions, features, milestones, and technical risks.
• Provide engine‑based guidance and define best practices that empower designers, artists, and gameplay engineers to deliver the vision of the game and ensure we delight and entertain our players.
• Partner in driving processes and tooling necessary to ensure the game runs smoothly and efficiently across multiple hardware platforms of varying capabilities.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience 8+ years of experience in game development engineering, or a combination of applicable training and experience.
• Experience working in proprietary C++ engines, Unreal Engine, or similar AAA game engine environments.
• Experience tuning engine systems to run efficiently on PC and modern consoles.
• Previous leadership experience, including at least one shipped game title.
• Strong experience with multithreading, performance analysis, and code optimization.
• Ability to author, debug, and optimize production‑grade C++ code.
• Ability to make frequent, readable, and well‑tested code commits.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical vision, share ideas and learnings, and provide meaningful feedback.
• Excellent problem‑solving and debugging skills.
• Experience mentoring engineers, growing technical talent, and developing others in areas of expertise.

Extra Points

Experience in creating technologies to enable large‑scale AAA‑game development productions to meet performance, scope, and timeline requirements.

Computer science, mathematics, physics, or related degree(s).

Experience making games with large, open worlds.

Platform Best known for iconic video game universes including Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, and StarCraft®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard, which was acquired by Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment experiences. Blizzard Entertainment has created some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed and genre‑defining games over the last 30 years, with a track record that includes multiple Game of the Year awards. Blizzard Entertainment engages tens of millions of players around the world with titles available on PC via Battle.net®, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. Our World Activision Blizzard, Inc., is one of the world’s largest and most successful interactive entertainment companies and is at the intersection of media, technology and entertainment. We are home to some of the most beloved entertainment franchises including Call of Duty®, World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Diablo®, Candy Crush™ and Bubble Witch™. Our combined entertainment network delights hundreds of millions of monthly active users in 196 countries, making us the largest gaming network on the planet!

Our ability to build immersive and innovative worlds is only enhanced by diverse teams working in an inclusive environment. We aspire to have a culture where everyone can thrive in order to connect and engage the world through epic entertainment.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable assistance to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a disabled individual requiring an accommodation to apply for an open position, please email your request to [e-mail]. General employment questions cannot be accepted or processed here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status, among other characteristics.

Rewards

We provide a suite of benefits that promote physical, emotional and financial well‑being for ‘Every World’ - we’ve got our employees covered!

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others

If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance. Eligibility to participate in these benefits may vary for part time and temporary full‑time employees and interns with the Company. You can learn more by visiting https://www.benefitsforeveryworld.com/.

In the U.S., the standard base pay range for this role is $124,000.00 - $229,400.00 Annual. These values reflect the expected base pay range of new hires across all U.S. locations. Ultimately, your specific range and offer will be based on several factors, including relevant experience, performance, and work location. Your Talent Professional can share this role’s range details for your local geography during the hiring process. In addition to a competitive base pay, employees in this role may be eligible for incentive compensation. Incentive compensation is not guaranteed.

Blizzard Entertainment® is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software. After establishing the Blizzard Entertainment label in 1994, the company quickly became one of the most popular and well‑respected makers of computer games. By focusing on creating well‑designed, highly enjoyable entertainment experiences, Blizzard Entertainment has maintained an unparalleled reputation for quality since its inception.