Data Engineer

What we’re looking for

We're looking for an experienced data engineer with a vast amount of Microsoft Azure expertise to support our Rust game development and data analysis teams. Rust is already one of the most popular games in the world, played by millions each year, and we want to improve our collection and use of data to make it better yet.  We are looking for someone passionate who is going to help us improve Rust by gathering the right data and storing it in an efficient, secure and robust way on Microsoft Azure. Common examples of this include gameplay and financial data as well as data that is utilized in our anti cheating efforts.  An ideal candidate will be a passionate player of our games with an in-depth knowledge of data engineering using Microsoft Azure, ideally with some professional experience in the games industry. Candidates should be familiar with working within sprints and adapting work to feedback. Programming experience in C# or even Unity is a significant advantage.  Tech Stack  - Rust is implemented in the Unity game engine and written in C# - All data lives on Microsoft Azure (ADX, Cosmos DB, Redis Cache) - Most APIs are implemented as Azure Functions in C# - Most data analysis queries are written in Kusto - Our internal dashboard is written in C# and hosted on Azure - Data visualization for support staff has historically been done on Grafana, but we are increasingly moving it to our internal dashboard C# app for easier access - Our main external data sources are Steam and Easy Anti Cheat - Our main internal data sources are the Rust client and server themselves  Existing Data  - Gameplay events like combat, base building and player progression - Game session data from Easy Anti Cheat - Financial, sales and ownership data from Steamworks - Currently adding custom skin classification data 

Responsibilities

• Making our games better by helping us build, maintain and improve methods of useful data collection

• Maintaining existing internal and external data sources like Azure, Grafana, Steam, Easy Anti Cheat and the Rust client and server itself for real-time monitoring and analytics.

• Integrating your work into our custom internal dashboard website as a single place for other staff to access your work

• Supporting the game development and data analysis teams in day to day needs from game design to post-release feature review

• Document systems, approaches, and tools clearly for internal use and future maintenance

Requirements

• In-depth Microsoft Azure experience

• Data warehousing experience with ADX, Databricks, Snowflake or similar

• A love and passion for gathering and applying data in a games / tech business

• Good knowledge of modern data engineering techniques and programming

• Fluent in data workflow, applying statistics, understanding biases

• Ability to learn new systems and workflows

• Independent thinker with an ability to innovate and work with little oversight

• To be able to work within a team and work to feedback

• Interested in what genuinely improves our business long-term, not chasing quick wins

• Experience with designing secure, scalable, and compliant data systems (GDPR)

Desirables

• Prior experience in a data engineering or programming role - ideally in the games industry

• Knowledge of a variety of types of programming languages, with a focus on C#

• Experience in the Unity game engine

• Experience in building tools and designing insightful and accessible data visualisations

• Anti-cheat experience

• In-depth gameplay knowledge of Rust

• Experience with Rust modding

• Fan of Rust / survival games

Benefits

• Salary - £45,000 - £65,000/pa experience depending

• Work remote, hybrid or on-site

• Competitive holiday package

• View complete benefits package

Bonus Scheme

Facepunch Studios’ industry-leading bonus package provides a comprehensive performance bonus scheme to reward employee contributions. This role includes eligibility for a salary scheme bonus, with the potential to earn up to 50% of the base salary annually through performance-based quarterly bonuses during your first year. After completing one year, the performance bonus potential expands up to 100% of your base salary. This structure ensures continuous motivation and recognition throughout the year. The bonus system highlights our commitment to recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance and dedication. All bonuses are discretionary, bonuses are not paid during the probationary period.