Lead Gameplay Engineer

Striking Distance Studios is seeking a Lead Gameplay Engineer to join a cross-disciplinary team. This role involves leading a team to create best-in-class game modes, overseeing planning and execution of game architecture, and implementing a wide range of gameplay features including controls, AI, RPG systems, and metagame elements. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in the games industry, strong C++ and Unreal Engine skills, and a passion for game development.

Must Have

• Lead a team of Gameplay Engineers for game mode creation.
• Lead planning, development, and execution of game, engine, and architecture.
• Establish tech projects, initiatives, and processes.
• Take products and features from design to release.
• Build and maintain gameplay features: controls, abilities, AI, RPG systems.
• Prototype and implement various game modes.
• Collaborate with design on 3Cs, combat, and inventory systems.
• Implement metagame features: save systems, game settings.
• Integrate HUD elements with UI engineers.
• Review engineer work and provide mentorship.
• Create and maintain technical design documents.
• Take ownership of existing code systems.
• Stay current on technological advancements.
• Research and develop coding techniques and algorithms.
• Collaborate on technical design and feature rollout.
• Write clear, maintainable, performant code.
• Communicate accurate status updates.
• Adhere to coding standards and best practices.
• Foster open communication across disciplines.
• Bachelor's degree in software engineering or computer science.
• Minimum 7 years games industry experience.
• Minimum 3 years in a similar lead role.
• Advanced leadership skills.
• Minimum 1 year Unreal Engine experience.
• Experience shipping games on PS5, XSX, and PC.
• Expert self-direction, focus, and detail orientation.
• Expert C++ skills.
• Proficient in 3D math.
• Expert verbal and written communication.
• Passion for playing and making video games.
• Highly communicative and collaborative.

Welcome to Striking Distance Studios!

Driven by people. Inspired by challenges. Relentless to deliver creative excellence.

At the intersection of art, design and technology lies Striking Distance Studios. We are a AAA development studio within the San Ramon Hills of the San Francisco Bay Area. With the release of our first title, The Callisto Protocol, we are excited to continue to grow our team.

Here at Striking Distance Studios it is amazing people, an immersive experience and a passion for excellence that drives us each day. We are looking for people who push themselves creatively and learn with every new challenge. We give you the setting and the opportunity to do work you are proud of.

To us excellence is not a skill, but an attitude!

THE OPPORTUNITY

Striking Distance Studios is looking for a Lead Gameplay Engineer to work in a cooperative, cross-disciplinary team environment to help the team implement a wide variety of features and systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead a team of Gameplay Engineers to create best in class Game Modes.
• Lead the overall planning, development, and execution of the game, engine and architecture.
• Establish tech projects, initiatives, and processes in conformance with the studio’s goals and objectives.
• Take new products and features from the design phase to release.
• Work across disciplines to build, refactor and maintain a variety of robust, flexible, and well-architected gameplay features, including controls, abilities, AI, and RPG systems.
• Prototype and implement different game modes.
• Work with design team on different features like 3Cs, combat systems, inventory, etc. to get the best player experience.
• Implement metagame features, including save systems, game settings, etc.
• Work with UI engineers to integrate HUD elements with gameplay features in the best way.
• Review the work of other engineers and provide mentorship on your area of knowledge.
• Create and maintain technical design documents.
• Delve into code written by other engineers and take ownership of existing systems as needed.
• Keep current on technological developments and advancements.
• Research and develop coding techniques and algorithms.
• Collaborate with technology director on technical design and feature roll out.
• Write clear, maintainable, portable, and highly performant code.
• Communicate accurate status updates to your team leads, producers, and QA regarding tasks/features you are responsible for.
• Adhere to team coding standards and best practices.
• Foster a culture of open, honest, and respectful communication across all disciplines.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or equivalent.
• At least 7 years of games industry experience and preferably 3 years or more in a similar role.
• Advanced leadership skills, including high empathy, strategic thinking, positivity, organization, responsibility and conflict resolution skills.
• At least 1 year of experience with Unreal Engine.
• Experience shipping games on current generation consoles (PS5 or XSX) and PC.
• Expert ability to be self-directed, focused and detail oriented.
• Expert C++ skills.
• 3D math skills.
• Expert verbal and written communications skills.
• A demonstrable love / passion for playing and making video games.
• A highly communicative and collaborative disposition.

Reasonable Accommodation

KRAFTON Americas is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the Company will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to apply for an open position, perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the HR Talent team at KRAFTON Americas, to begin the interactive process.

EEOC statement

KRAFTON Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

In California, the expected salary range for this position is $146,000-$215,000. The listed expected salary range represents a good faith estimate and the actual pay may depend on a variety of job-related factors that can include experience, education, skills, and location.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply at jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Krafton we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right candidate for this or other roles.

Due to recent scams, our recruiters will only reach out to you via @sds.com, @krafton.com, @unknownworlds.com or @pubg.com. If you received an email and are unsure you can always email recruiting_ka@krafton.com.