Staff Software Engineer

Level AI; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Level AI seeks an experienced Staff Software Engineer to contribute to high-quality build and tooling software across NZ and US studios. You will design, implement, and maintain complex build systems, automation tools, and engine features for multiple projects.

You will mentor junior engineers, collaborate with game developers and engine teams, and own major systems from conception through shipping with a focus on performance and memory optimization.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience with at least 2 years in game development.
• Proficient in C++ and/or C# with strong OO design skills.
• Experience with major game engines (Unity, Unreal, Godot) including custom engine work.
• Excellent Git and collaborative development workflows.
• Proven ability to write maintainable, performance-oriented code.
• Strong debugging and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Self-motivated and able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain build, automation, tools, and engine features across multiple projects.
• Write clean, well-documented code and establish architecture, testing, and performance practices.
• Collaborate with game developers, team leads, and engine teams to deliver tooling and solutions.
• Contribute to the engine source to improve rendering, systems, and workflows.
• Profile and optimize memory, frame rate, and load times across platforms.
• Own major systems or features from conception through shipping, with ongoing support.
• Mentor junior engineers via code reviews and pair programming.
• Debug complex issues across multiple systems and implement sustainable fixes.
• Improve development workflows, build tools, and automation to boost productivity.
• Develop platform-specific features and ensure compliance with platform requirements.
• Communicate technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Own the source repository and deployment workflow.

Skills

C++

C#

Game dev experience

OO & design patterns

Git

Engine development

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

Godot

Job description

Level is a learning technology company dedicated to helping students build real academic and life skills with confidence and joy. We combine proven curriculum principles with world class interactive design to make meaningful practice something students want to come back to, not something they struggle through.

We support what teachers, schools, and parents are already doing by increasing student engagement with high quality, standards aligned practice that reinforces classroom learning. That’s why we’re building:

For students: Rewarding and motivating learning experiences that meet students where they are to build real academic proficiency.

For educators: Tools that fit naturally into instruction and help students stay engaged while reducing teacher workload.

For parents: Activities that help your kid catch up or get ahead, build confidence, and minimize homework battles, whether learning at school or at home.

We are committed to helping every person maximize their potential and live a life of meaning. It’s a difficult problem that requires brilliant people and tremendous effort over time.

Level is seeking an experienced Staff Software Engineer to contribute to the development of high-quality build and tooling software. This role requires a strong technical foundation combined with collaborative problem-solving skills to build robust, scalable solutions across our projects. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams to implement automation pipeline, build and distribution systems, and tooling and developer pipeline. You'll balance independent ownership of technical systems with mentoring junior engineers while helping establish engineering excellence across our NZ and US studios.

What You Will Do:

• Systems Development: Design, implement, and maintain complex build, automation, tools, and engine features that support multiple projects and team workflows.

• Code Quality: Write clean, well-documented, and maintainable code while establishing best practices for architecture, testing, and performance optimization.

• Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Partner with game developers, team leads, technical are and our engine team to build out requirements and deliver productive tooling and solutions for their needs.

• Engine Development: Contribute to our engine source to improve rendering, systems, performance and development workflow.

• Performance Optimization: Profile and optimize code for memory usage, frame rate, and load times across target platforms, ensuring smooth player experiences.

• Technical Ownership: Take ownership of major systems or features from conception through shipping, including ongoing support and iteration based on team feedback.

• Mentorship: Guide and support junior engineers through code reviews, pair programming, and technical discussions to help develop their skills and knowledge.

• Problem Solving: Debug complex technical issues across multiple systems, identifying root causes and implementing sustainable solutions.

• Pipeline Contribution: Improve development workflows, build tools, and automation systems that increase team productivity and reduce friction.

• Platform Development: Implement and maintain platform-specific features and integrations, ensuring compliance with platform requirements.

• Technical Communication: Clearly articulate technical concepts, constraints, and proposals to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Source Control: Own the source repository and deployment workflow for projects and teams.

Qualifications

Need to Have:

• 10+ years of professional software engineering experience with at least 2 years in game development.

• Strong proficiency in C++ and/or C# with deep understanding of object-oriented programming and design patterns.

• Experience with at least one major game engine (Unity, Unreal, Godot) including custom engine system development.

• Excellent proficiency with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows.

• Proven ability to write efficient, maintainable code with attention to performance and memory management.

• Strong debugging and problem-solving skills with ability to work through complex technical challenges.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.

• Self-motivated with ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Nice to Have:

• Experience with multiple programming languages (Python, GDScript, Lua) for tools and scripting.

• Background in console development and platform certification processes.

• Experience working with distributed or remote teams across time zones.

• Rendering pipelines and art pipelines in game development.

• Performance profiling and automated testing in a game context.

• Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies.