Senior/Principal Software Engineer (Gameplay)

ZipRecruiter; Frisco (TX); Remote; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a gameplay subject matter expert to drive the development of player-facing features and systems. This role involves collaborating with art, design, and engineering teams, ensuring gameplay implementations meet high standards of performance and creativity. Ideal candidates should have robust C++ skills, extensive experience in gameplay engineering, and a desire to work in a dynamic startup environment.

Benefits

Work from home (anywhere in the US)

Flexible hours

3 weeks vacation

Competitive healthcare plans

401K with 100% matching

Employee stock options

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in gameplay engineering.
• Advanced skills in C++ and Unreal Engine.
• Experience in collaborative development of gameplay features.

Responsibilities

• Implement gameplay features and systems.
• Ensure performance and functional requirements are met.
• Support various disciplines in understanding technical solutions.

Skills

C++

Gameplay engineering

Debugging

Game development architecture

Collaboration

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unreal Insights

Job description

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionDescriptionAs a gameplay subject matter expert (SME) on our first project, you will be responsible for bringing various player facing features and systems to life. You’ll help the art, design, and engineering teams understand what’s possible in the gameplay domain under resource and technical constraints, and provide guidance around how to achieve performance, aesthetic, and functional requirements. You’ll be in a prime position to contribute creatively as a member of a small team iterating rapidly. Longer term, you’ll also help the team establish and uphold technical standards around performance, stability, extensibility, and maintainability.

Our ideal candidate is humble, values teamwork, shows initiative, operates autonomously, and is excited to work in a well-funded startup environment.
Key Responsibilities

• Implement gameplay features and systems
• Provide accountability around the use of gameplay systems and tools with regards to best practices
• Ensure gameplay feature implementations achieve performance and functional requirements
• Contribute to technical direction and quality standards across the codebase
• Support non-engineering disciplines in understanding what’s possible and the cost/benefit associated with various technical solutions
• Regularly provide collaborative feedback focused on achieving a top-quality player experience

Skills, Knowledge and ExpertiseRequired Skills

• Advanced C++ skills
• 6+ years of gameplay engineering experience using Unreal Engine
• Strong knowledge of common game development architectural patterns
• Comfortable working in large code bases
• Strong debugging skills
• Experience collaborating cross discipline on gameplay features and systems
• A desire to create great player experiences
• An understanding that we can only succeed as a cohesive team and supporting each other is fundamental to that success.

Desired Skills

• Experience implementing multiplayer features on an Unreal Engine project
• Experience using Unreal Insights to optimize an Unreal Engine project
• Full cycle game development experience (prototype, pre-production, production, release)
• Experience working on teams that use the Agile development methodology

Benefits

• Work from home (anywhere in the US)!
• Flexible hours – 32 hour a week minimum / 50 hour maximum
• 3 weeks vacation each year, in addition to paid holidays and sick days
• Competitive healthcare plans including medical, dental, and vision
• Available Flexible Spending / Health Savings Accounts
• 401K with 100% matching up to 4% of your salary
• Employee stock options

Salary Bands By Level:
Senior Software Engineer 1 - 110k to 150k
Senior Software Engineer 2 - 150k to 180k
Principal Software Engineer - 180k to 220k