Systems Engineer (Senior/Principal/Lead)

Bonfire Studios, Inc; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 237,500 - 290,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Comprehensive benefits package

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

A game development studio is seeking a Systems Engineer to design and optimize foundational technology for their first game, Arkheron. The ideal candidate will have experience with multi-threaded architecture and a passion for game development. This role involves collaboration with various teams to enhance performance and create developer tools. The position is hybrid, based in Irvine, California, with competitive compensation and equity options.

Qualifications

• Experience with custom or modified engines for AAA games.
• Technical knowledge in multi-threaded architecture and optimization.
• Passion for technology and the creative process of making games.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize foundational engine systems in Unity/DOTS.
• Collaborate with teams to improve engine platform capabilities.
• Create tools and APIs for developers to streamline workflows.

Skills

Multi-threaded architecture

Asynchronous programming

ECS paradigms

Debugging skills

Problem-solving

Tools

Unity

C#

C/C++

Job description

Hybrid, Irvine, California, United States

WhatWhat the one game you couldn't put down? The game that connected you with friends, and made you feel like you belonged? If a game has ever defined a chapter of your life, then you already know the spark we chasing. Our mission is to ignite that same feeling for players; the thrill of competition, the joy of community, and the belonging of finding your own corner of a larger world.

Great games begin with people who dare to dream big. If that sounds exciting, you might be exactly who we looking for.

Bonfire is a group of experienced and ambitious developers, proud to be creating our first original IP: Arkheron. It is a fast-paced, competitive PVP game set in a surreal dark fantasy world where 15 teams of three battle their way up the Tower. In a world built from memories, you will loot powerful items to create and adapt a unique build-out that will change your strategy and combat experience with every Ascension.

The best way to understand our Engineering team is in their own words — heres how they describe their work.

On the Engineering team at Bonfire, it is about more than code. For us, its essential to build a deep understanding and intuitive sense of what makes our game special through our players' hearts and minds. Guided by this sensibility, we form close partnerships with artists and designers to challenge ourselves, exploring creative and fun ways to evolve the game together. We ruthlessly prioritize what matters most and continually weigh trade-offs in our pursuit of making both playing and building our game feel great.

As a Systems Engineer, youll help design, optimize, and evolve the foundational technology that powers our first game. Your work will focus on engine-level systems, optimizations (PC, consoles, server), and netcode in Unity (using DOTS via C# and C/C++), creating the tools and infrastructure that empower both our developers and our players. This role is highly collaborative — youll partner with engineers, designers, and other leads across the studio to push technology forward, solve complex problems, and make the entire team more effective. Whether youre debugging low-level issues, optimizing pipelines, or shaping systems that scale for live service, youll have the opportunity to influence the core of our game and contribute across many areas of development.

YOULL CONTRIBUTE BY:

• Building and optimizing the foundational engine systems in Unity/DOTS (C# and C/C++), ensuring tools and tech run efficiently for both developers and players.
• Collaborating with internal and external leads to improve engine platform capabilities (performance, console features, anti-cheat protection) and improve team workflows.
• Tackling projects such as optimizing iteration pipelines, building maintainable live-editable profiling systems, and enhancing runtime systems like rendering, streaming, and netcode.
• Jumping into other areas as needed (from audio to UI to gameplay systems) to support the broader team.
• Creating tools and APIs that make developerss lives easier, helping the team deliver high-quality content faster.
• Contributing beyond core engineering, leaning on your passions and perspectives to help the studio grow together.

WERE EXCITED ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU:

• Have experience with custom or heavily modified engines for AAA games on PC and modern consoles, with multiple shipped titles.
• Bring deep technical knowledge in areas like multi-threaded architecture, asynchronous programming, and ECS paradigms.
• Enjoy solving tough problems — whether debugging elusive issues or optimizing complex systems.
• Thrive on curiosity and adaptability, eager to dive into new areas and unfamiliar code.
• Value collaboration, trust, and diverse perspectives, building strong partnerships across the studio.
• Embrace a growth mindset, caring about your own development and supporting others in theirs.
• Carry a genuine passion for both technology and the creative process of making games.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE THE ROLE FOR YOU IF:

• You prefer working only within well-defined boundaries, because this role requires diving into unfamiliar systems and solving problems across multiple areas.
• You’re most comfortable in environments with rigid hierarchy — Bonfire values a flat, collaborative structure where everyone contributes.
• You prefer focusing on gameplay features rather than engine-level systems, optimizations, or developer tools.
• Debugging, profiling, and low-level optimizations feel tedious instead of energizing.
• Youre uncomfortable working in a live service environment where iteration, scalability, and constant improvement are essential.

YOULL LOVE WORKING AT BONFIRE BECAUSE WE:

• Embrace bold challenges with creativity and courage, making the tough calls to build a game were proud to play every day.
• Keep fun at the core: we play Arkheron daily, staying grounded as players. If it not more fun than yesterday, we fix it. We dont chase trends; we listen by playing.
• Stay truly independent, with decisions driven by the team — not by investors or a board.
• Thrive in a culture of passion, trust, and shared ownership; where transparency matters and egos dont.

The base salary range for this role is $237,500 - $290,000. Depending on your experience and level (whether youre closer to mid-level or principal), your offer may land above or below that range. We dont just look at years on a résumé — we think about the impact you can have on the team and the game. Of course, compensation at Bonfire goes beyond salary. Every new teammate receives equity, plus a full benefits package and some extra perks to make work (and life) better. When we connect, well happily walk you through the full details.

Want to get a feel for what its like to work here? You can check out more about our culture, team, benefits, and perks at www.bonfirestudios.com. And dont worry — anything you share with us in the application process is just for recruiting and wont be shared. You can read more in our privacy policy.