Senior Game Programmer - Engine Development

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 800,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Health benefits

Professional development

Conferences & training

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly experienced Senior Game Programmer to join a renowned game development studio. This fully remote role focuses on developing and optimizing core engine systems using C++, with emphasis on real-time graphics, performance, and scalable engine technologies.

You will collaborate with a distributed team, mentor junior programmers, profile performance, and contribute to the technical roadmap.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional game development experience with engine programming.
• Expertise in C++ programming and OO design principles.
• Strong knowledge of graphics APIs (DirectX, Vulkan, Metal) and rendering techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain core engine systems including rendering, physics, AI, and memory management.
• Optimize engine performance for target platforms to ensure smooth frame rates and efficient resource use.
• Collaborate with programming, artists, and designers to integrate engine features and provide technical support.
• Write clean, maintainable, well-documented C++ code.
• Identify and resolve complex technical issues and performance bottlenecks in the engine.
• Contribute to design and architecture of new engine features and systems.
• Stay updated on engine tech and graphics programming advances.
• Mentor junior programmers and contribute to code reviews and knowledge sharing.
• Participate in defining the technical roadmap for the game engine.
• Ensure engine adheres to best practices for scalability, robustness, and maintainability.

Skills

C++ programming

Graphics APIs

Multi-threading

Performance optimization

Agile

Problem-solving

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in CS/CE

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Game Programmer to join their renowned game development studio. This position is fully remote , offering a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge projects from the comfort of your home office. You will be a key player in developing and enhancing the core engine systems that power our client's innovative games. This role requires a deep understanding of C++, performance optimization, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of real-time graphics and simulation. You will collaborate with a talented, distributed team to build robust, scalable, and efficient game engine technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain core engine systems, including rendering, physics, AI, and memory management.
• Optimize engine performance for various target platforms, ensuring smooth frame rates and efficient resource utilization.
• Collaborate with other programming disciplines, artists, and designers to integrate engine features and provide technical support.
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented C++ code.
• Identify and resolve complex technical issues and performance bottlenecks within the engine.
• Contribute to the design and architecture of new engine features and systems.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in game engine technology and graphics programming.
• Mentor junior programmers and contribute to code reviews and knowledge sharing.
• Participate in defining the technical roadmap for the game engine.
• Ensure the engine adheres to best practices for scalability, robustness, and maintainability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in game development, with a significant focus on engine programming.
• Expertise in C++ programming and object-oriented design principles.
• Strong understanding of graphics APIs (e.g., DirectX, Vulkan, Metal) and rendering techniques.
• Experience with performance profiling and optimization on PC and/or console platforms.
• Familiarity with software development methodologies (e.g., Agile).
• Excellent problem-solving, debugging, and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities, especially within a fully remote setting.
• Experience with multi-threading and concurrent programming.
• A passion for creating high-performance, cutting-edge game engines.

Benefits

• This is a fully remote position, providing maximum flexibility and work-life balance.
• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, and generous opportunities for professional development, including conferences and training.
• You will be working with a passionate and talented team on exciting projects that define the future of gaming.
• Experience the benefits of a remote-first culture with a company that values innovation, collaboration, and individual contribution.