Senior Game Programmer (Gameplay)

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and project bonuses

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Generous paid time off and flexible/hy

Professional development, training, &

Attending industry events in Pretoria

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria is seeking a Senior Game Programmer specializing in Gameplay to design, develop, and implement core gameplay mechanics that define the player experience. You will work with designers and artists to translate visions into robust game systems.

The role offers the chance to tackle challenging technical work, influence game design, and mentor junior programmers within a growth-oriented studio focused on innovative gaming experiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional game programming experience.
• Strong C++ and/or C# with Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Solid OO design and software architecture knowledge.
• Experience with Git or Perforce and debugging tools.
• Good collaboration and problem-solving in a team.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize core gameplay systems.
• Collaborate with designers to iterate on mechanics.
• Optimize performance and memory usage across platforms.
• Integrate character movement, VFX with art/animation.
• Mentor junior programmers and participate in code reviews.
• Troubleshoot gameplay bugs throughout development.

Skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Debugging

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or equivalent

Tools

C++

C#

Unreal Engine

Unity

Git

Perforce

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a highly skilled Senior Game Programmer specializing in Gameplay to join their innovative studio in Pretoria . This role is integral to designing, developing, and implementing core gameplay mechanics that define the player experience. You will work closely with designers and artists to translate creative visions into robust, efficient, and engaging game systems. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced programmer to take on significant technical challenges, influence game design, and contribute to the creation of immersive interactive entertainment within a supportive and growth-oriented team.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, code, and debug complex gameplay systems and features using C++ or C#.
• Collaborate with game designers to iterate on mechanics, controls, and player interactions.
• Optimize gameplay code for performance, memory usage, and stability across target platforms.
• Work with the art and animation teams to integrate character movement, VFX, and other visual elements.
• Mentor junior programmers and contribute to code review processes to maintain high-quality standards.
• Troubleshoot and resolve gameplay-related bugs and issues throughout the development cycle.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of professional experience in game programming , with a strong focus on gameplay development .
• Proficiency in C++ and/or C# and experience with game engines like Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Solid understanding of object-oriented design principles and software architecture patterns.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git, Perforce) and debugging tools.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and potential for project-based bonuses.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and flexible working hours.
• Opportunities for professional development, training, and attending industry events in Pretoria .
• A collaborative studio culture focused on innovation and passion for gaming.