Senior Gameplay Programmer — Craft Core Mechanics & Fun

Placements24; Soweto; On-site; ZAR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Performance-based bonuses

Generous paid time off

Global games visibility

Job summary

Placements24 in Soweto is seeking a Senior Gameplay Programmer to design and refine core gameplay systems for ambitious projects. You will collaborate with designers and artists to translate creative visions into robust gameplay using C++ and modern engines.

You will mentor junior programmers, review code, and help shape technical decisions while staying current with industry trends in a dynamic studio environment near Johannesburg.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Gameplay Programmer in the video game industry.
• Proficiency in C++ and object-oriented programming principles.
• Experience with game engines such as Unreal Engine or Unity.
• Strong understanding of gameplay mechanics, character controllers, AI, and physics.
• Excellent problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Experience with version control systems (e.g., Perforce, Git).
• A degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and optimize core gameplay systems and mechanics.
• Collaborate with game designers to define and iterate on gameplay features.
• Work closely with artists and animators to integrate character controls, abilities, and visual feedback.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code in C++ or relevant scripting languages.
• Debug and resolve gameplay-related issues, ensuring a smooth and polished player experience.
• Profile and optimize gameplay systems for performance on target platforms.
• Mentor junior programmers and contribute to code reviews.
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in game development.
• Contribute to technical design discussions and decision-making processes.
• Ensure the technical implementation of gameplay features meets design and quality standards.

Skills

C++

OO programming

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science/Software Engineering or related field

Tools

Unreal Engine

Unity

Git

Perforce

Job description

Placements24 in Soweto is seeking a Senior Gameplay Programmer to design and refine core gameplay systems for ambitious projects. You will collaborate with designers and artists to translate creative visions into robust gameplay using C++ and modern engines.

You will mentor junior programmers, review code, and help shape technical decisions while staying current with industry trends in a dynamic studio environment near Johannesburg.