Lead Gameplay Engineer

What we are looking for:

As a Lead Gameplay Engineer, you will take ownership of driving the technical vision for gameplay systems and mechanics, working closely with Design, Animation, Audio, and Production teams to create innovative and immersive gameplay experiences. You will be a key technical leader in delivering core features and stability to complete project, where your ability to guide and influence design will be critical. A flexible mindset and a proactive approach are essential, as you will have significant opportunities to shape the gameplay vision and impact the product at every stage.

What we will do together:

• Drive and contribute to the design and architecture of core gameplay systems, collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver highly engaging player experiences.
• Lead the development, modification, and debugging of gameplay software in both scripting languages and C/C++, ensuring high-quality code and performance.
• Guide the deployment, optimization, and testing of gameplay systems across multiple platforms, with a strong focus on performance and scalability.
• Collaborate closely with other departments (art, design, audio, QA, etc.) to ensure seamless integration of gameplay features, fostering clear communication and alignment across disciplines.
• Document gameplay systems and technical features for both internal and external teams, ensuring clarity and usability for future development.
• Lead and participate in the code review process, ensuring best practices are followed across the engineering team.
• Lead a team managing a diverse subset of features, providing hands-on support as needed to ensure alignment with the broader user and development experience vision.

What you will bring:

• Extensive experience developing and shipping AAA titles, with a deep understanding of gameplay systems and mechanics at scale.
• Proven experience leading engineering efforts in Unreal Engine 4/5, with the ability to architect complex gameplay systems and tools.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, while also working effectively with other disciplines to achieve a unified vision.
• Expert-level C++ skills with the ability to architect, code, and optimize gameplay mechanics, tools, and pipelines for performance and quality.
• Advanced problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to creatively overcome technical challenges and propose innovative solutions.
• Deep knowledge of game design principles, with the ability to critically analyze the design of existing games and articulate strengths and weaknesses.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic, demonstrating the ability to lead and work independently while driving large features from concept to completion.
• Creativity and flexibility in solving gameplay and technical challenges, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in interactive entertainment.
• Passion for games, with a keen interest in staying engaged with the latest industry trends and innovations.
• Expertise in developing actionable tasks breakdowns and planning from high level vison and goals.
• Leveraging experience to mentor team members with sound, collaborative direction and insight.

Interested… a bit about Escape Velocity:

Escape Velocity is a team of passionate, talented developers working at a studio that offers excellent benefits and what we believe is a fantastic project. But that doesn’t make us unique. What does make us special? We value the time, energy, and talent of our players and our colleagues. We want every hour spent developing and playing our games to be an incredibly rewarding and worthwhile use of your time. To that end, we are fully remote and support team members nearly anywhere in the world.  We prioritize honesty, even when that means sharing bad news. We strive to give everyone autonomy so they can determine how best to work and play, and we care more about what you bring to the game and studio than how many hours you’re clocking. We believe in constant improvement across all areas – from the game itself to our production design – and are constantly re-evaluating how we spend our time to ensure that we’re not wasting yours and we’re all always working on the most important things. Finally (and perhaps most importantly) we’re dedicated to building a culture of play, which not only makes us better game makers, but also strengthens the bonds between us all.

How to apply:

Click apply and complete an application along with a Resume / CV. If we would like to move forward with your application, a member of the Recruiting Team will reach out to you and guide you through our process.

Escape Velocity is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to hiring, promoting, and compensating employees based on their qualifications and demonstrated ability to perform job responsibilities.

Applications will be considered​ regardless ​of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.