Principal Game Programmer (f/m/x)

DECK 13 Interactive GmbH; Germany (OH); On-site; USD 138,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Office in Frankfurt

Language courses

Remote work allowance

Gym membership allowance

Deutschlandticket benefit

Probonio vouchers

Bloom mental health access

Learning & development budget

Additional vacation days

Job summary

DECK 13 Interactive GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany is seeking a Principal Game Programmer to lead the programming team. You will own architecture, set technical standards across Unreal Engine and tools, and tackle the hardest gameplay systems with ownership and clarity.

Mentor engineers at all levels, contribute to hiring, and drive cross‑system optimization and tooling improvements. You will ship AA/AAA titles while guiding code quality and performance across CPU/GPU.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in the game development industry.
• Expert-level proficiency in C++, with deep understanding of programming principles, system design, and large-scale architectures.
• Extensive experience in game programming across engine-level work and tools development.
• Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine internals and major subsystems.
• Proven track record of shipping AA/AAA titles with significant ownership over core systems.
• Strong debugging, profiling, and optimization skills across CPU and GPU, including platform-specific work.
• Demonstrated mentorship experience: growing other programmers through pair programming, code reviews, and technical coaching.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to engineers and non-engineers.
• Sound judgment on when to build, refactor, and when to ship as-is.
• 2+ years of console programming experience (PlayStation, Xbox).

Responsibilities

• Drive technical and architectural decisions across major systems.
• Take ownership of the most technically demanding work: deep optimization, cross-system refactors, and high-risk areas of the codebase.
• Set and uphold technical standards and best practices.
• Mentor programmers of all levels through pairing, code reviews, and technical guidance, fostering growth and unblocking complex problems.
• Own documentation and knowledge sharing for the systems and domains you know best.
• Identify, evaluate, and prototype new tools and workflows to improve the team's output.
• Contribute to hiring through technical interviews and onboarding.

Skills

C++

Unreal Engine

Game programming

Mentorship

Debugging

Optimization

Code reviews

Console programming

Tools

Unreal Engine

Job description

Your Quest:

As our Principal Game Programmer (f/m/x), you will be the most senior individual contributor on the programming team. Your mission includes setting the technical bar across Unreal Engine, our development tools, and gameplay. Additionally, you will own the hardest technical problems and drive architecture in close collaboration with the Technical Director. Mentoring senior, regular, and junior programmers is a core, formal part of the role.

Your Mission Includes:

• Drive technical and architectural decisions across major systems
• Take ownership of the most technically demanding work: deep optimization, cross-system refactors, and high-risk areas of the codebase
• Set and uphold technical standards and best practices
• Mentor programmers of all levels through pairing, code reviews, and technical guidance, fostering growth and unblocking complex problems
• Own documentation and knowledge sharing for the systems and domains you know best
• Identify, evaluate, and prototype new tools and workflows to improve the team's output
• Contribute to hiring through technical interviews and onboarding

Your Toolkit:

• 10+ years of experience in the game development industry
• Expert-level proficiency in C++, with a deep understanding of programming principles, system design, and large-scale architectures
• Extensive experience in game programming across engine-level work and tools development
• Deep knowledge of Unreal Engine internals and major subsystems
• A proven track record of shipping AA/AAA titles with significant ownership over core systems
• Strong debugging, profiling, and optimization skills across CPU and GPU, including platform-specific work
• Demonstrated mentorship experience: growing other programmers through pair programming, code reviews, and technical coaching
• Excellent communication and documentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts to both engineers and non-engineers
• Sound judgment on when to build, when to refactor, and when to ship as-is
• 2+ years of console programming experience (PlayStation, Xbox)

You Get Extra XP for:

• Deep specialization in a particular domain (gameplay, tools, rendering, animation, or AI)
• Prior experience on a Principal/Staff IC track at another studio
• Console certification work (PlayStation, Xbox)
• Having shipped at least one AA/AAA game

Power-Ups You Receive:

• A modern, centrally located office in Frankfurt, Germany (near Messe)
• Free language courses to help you expand your skills
• Monthly allowances for remote working and gym memberships
• A monthly allowance for the Deutschlandticket to ease your commute
• Tax-free Probonio vouchers available every month
• Free access to an online mental health platform (Bloom) to support your well-being
• Opportunities for career growth with a yearly learning & development budget
• 28 days of paid vacation, plus the 24th and 31st of December off

Our Commitment to Inclusivity:

DECK 13 Interactive is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other characteristic that makes you unique.

We believe that diverse teams create the best games, and we’re dedicated to building a workplace where everyone can thrive.

About Us

At DECK 13 Interactive, we’re more than just a game development studio. We’re a diverse, passionate community of creators dedicated to crafting unforgettable gaming experiences. Since our founding in 2001, in the heart of Frankfurt, Germany, we’ve been pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in PC and console games. Now part of the PulluP Entertainment group, our team of around 100 talented professionals continues to shape the future of gaming.

We’re the minds behind titles like Lords of the Fallen, The Surge series, and Atlas Fallen, known for their rich worlds and immersive gameplay. But we believe the best games are still ahead of us, and that’s where you come in.