Senior Gameplay Systems Programmer

2 Months ago • 5 Years + • Systems Design

Job Summary

Job Description

Rockstar Games seeks a Senior Gameplay Systems Programmer to design, implement, and maintain core gameplay systems within their Edinburgh studio. This role involves collaborating with Engine, Art, and Design teams to create a state-of-the-art open-world simulation. Responsibilities include tackling both macro and micro-level system tasks, focusing on memory and performance optimization while striving for realism. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of C/C++ game development experience, with at least one shipped title on Xbox and/or PlayStation consoles. A strong understanding of core game systems, excellent problem-solving skills, and an analytical, performance-focused mindset are essential.
Must have:
  • 5+ years C/C++ game dev experience
  • Shipped title (Xbox/PlayStation)
  • Core game systems understanding
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Performance-focused mindset
  • System design & implementation
Good to have:
  • Multi-platform experience
  • Open-world system experience
  • Engine team collaboration
  • Passion for games

Job Details

At Rockstar Games, we create world-class entertainment experiences. 

Become part of a team working on some of the most rewarding, large-scale creative projects to be found in any entertainment medium - all within an inclusive, highly-motivated environment where you can learn and collaborate with some of the most talented people in the industry. 

Rockstar Games is on the lookout for a talented Senior Gameplay Systems Programmer who is passionate about open-world systems with a focus on quality.

This is a full-time, permanent and in-office position based in Rockstar’s state-of-the-art game development studio in Edinburgh, Scotland. 

WHAT WE DO

  • We create and maintain core gameplay systems and a complex open-world simulation.
  • We develop systems to populate and simulate large worlds efficiently.
  • We work as a global team across multiple studios as well as working closely with Design, Art, and Engine departments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Design, implement, and maintain systems collaboratively with Engine, Art, and Design teams to create a state-of-the-art open-world simulation.
  • Tackle macro and/or micro level system tasks, from improving engine-level systems to working on higher level systems that will affect the feel of the wider game world.
  • Focus on memory and performance all the while striving for more realism, believability, and accuracy, and implementing systems with finite resources.
  • Work together with Engine, Art, and Design departments to deliver features on schedule to a high quality.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A degree in Computer Science/related discipline, or equivalent experience.
  • 5+ years’ experience in C/C++ game development.
  • One shipped title; preferably on the Xbox and/or PlayStation consoles.

SKILLS

  • A technical understanding of core game systems and technologies.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills.
  • Great technical communication skills.
  • An analytical, performance-focused mindset.
  • Experience with systems such as: population, streaming, multithreading, memory management, etc.

PLUSES

Please note that these are desirable skills and are not required to apply for the position.

  • Self-motivated, enthusiastic/passionate about games and curious about how things work.
  • Multi-platform and console experience.
  • Experience working on open-world, population, and/or streaming systems.
  • Experience working closely with Engine teams.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply with a CV and cover letter demonstrating how you meet the skills above. If we would like to move forward with your application, a Rockstar recruiter will reach out to you to explain next steps and guide you through the process.

Rockstar is committed to creating a work environment that promotes equal opportunity, dignity and respect. In line with this commitment, Rockstar will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified job applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process in order for such applicants to be considered for the position for which they are applying, as well as to qualified employees to enable them to perform the essential functions of their roles. If you need more information about Rockstar’s reasonable accommodation policies or process, or need to request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department. 

If you’ve got the right skills for the job, we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief, race, or any other protected category.

Similar Jobs

Canva - Senior Platform Engineer - Workload Integration

Canva

Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia (Remote)
2 Months ago
Inworld AI - Senior Software Engineer (C++ Focus)

Inworld AI

Mountain View, California, United States (Hybrid)
3 Weeks ago
Scorewarrior - Backend C++ Developer

Scorewarrior

Limassol, Limassol, Cyprus (On-Site)
11 Months ago
Larian Studios - Engine Programmer

Larian Studios

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
8 Months ago
Scorewarrior - Core Team C++ Architect

Scorewarrior

Limassol, Limassol, Cyprus (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Google - Staff Coherent Memory System Architect, Silicon

Google

New Taipei, New Taipei City, Taiwan (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Epic Games - Senior Technical Designer

Epic Games

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Meta - Optical Engineer

Meta

Redmond, Washington, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Activision - Senior UX Designer

Activision

Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland (On-Site)
4 Months ago
Magna International - ADAS Feature Owner

Magna International

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India (On-Site)
7 Months ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Similar Skill Jobs

Rockstar Games - Senior Engine Programmer

Rockstar Games

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Scorewarrior - Core Team C++ Architect

Scorewarrior

Limassol, Limassol, Cyprus (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Nexon - Senior Gameplay Engineer

Nexon

El Segundo, California, United States (Hybrid)
1 Week ago
ION - Lead Java Developer, New York

ION

New York, New York, United States (Hybrid)
6 Months ago
Meta - Software Engineer, Android

Meta

Los Angeles, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
31st Union - Expert Core Engineer

31st Union

San Mateo, California, United States (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Canva - Senior Platform Engineer - Workload Integration

Canva

Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia (Remote)
4 Weeks ago
Playtika - JavaScript Developer

Playtika

Ukraine (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Meta - Software Engineer, Android

Meta

Burlingame, California, United States (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Canva - Frontend Software Engineer - Internationalisation

Canva

Beijing, Beijing, China (Remote)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Jobs in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Aristocrat Gaming - Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis

Aristocrat Gaming

London, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Hangar 13 - Principal AI Designer

Hangar 13

Brighton And Hove, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Disobey - Influencer Campaigns Lead

Disobey

England, United Kingdom (Remote)
1 Week ago
Framestore - Visual Development Artist - Launchpad Internship 2025

Framestore

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
4 Weeks ago
Wargaming - UI Tech Artist

Wargaming

Guildford, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
2 Weeks ago
Bally's Interactive - Junior Designer

Bally's Interactive

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
1 Week ago
SEGA - Senior/Principal Graphics Programmer

SEGA

England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
1 Month ago
Epic Games - Knowledge Manager

Epic Games

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
3 Months ago
Rebellion - AI Gameplay Programmer

Rebellion

Oxford, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Ubisoft - Analyst, Customer Support Experience

Ubisoft

Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)
1 Week ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

Systems Design Jobs

Epic Games - Senior Audio Designer

Epic Games

(On-Site)
7 Months ago
Tesla - Senior Mechanical Engineer, Technical Service

Tesla

Brandenburg, Germany (On-Site)
2 Months ago
Epic Games - Senior Gameplay Systems Engineer, Developer Relations

Epic Games

(On-Site)
3 Months ago
Assystems - Ingénieur Electricité Nucléaire H/F

Assystems

Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (On-Site)
5 Months ago
Tesla - Power Systems Engineer - BESS, EMEA

Tesla

North Holland, Netherlands (On-Site)
2 Months ago
NVIDIA - Senior CPU Design Engineer

NVIDIA

Hillsboro, Oregon, United States (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
NVIDIA - Senior CPU Design Engineer

NVIDIA

Westford, Massachusetts, United States (Hybrid)
1 Month ago
Google - Staff Mechanical/Systems Engineer

Google

Sunnyvale, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Week ago
Nintendo - Senior Systems Engineer

Nintendo

Redmond, Washington, United States (Hybrid)
10 Months ago
31st Union - Senior Gameplay Engineer

31st Union

San Mateo, California, United States (On-Site)
1 Month ago

Get notifed when new similar jobs are uploaded

About The Company

Join a tight-knit team responsible for creating and publishing some of the most popular, innovative and critically acclaimed interactive entertainment in the world including the Grand Theft Auto series, the Red Dead series and many more.


Known for our dedication to quality and authenticity, a career at Rockstar Games is an opportunity to work on some of the most cutting edge, creatively rewarding and challenging projects available in any entertainment medium with some of the most talented people in the industry.


We offer successful candidates highly competitive salary and compensation packages, including a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible employees. Rockstar Games is an equal opportunity employer.

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Leeds, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site)

London, England, United Kingdom (On-Site)

Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom (On-Site)

New York, New York, United States (On-Site)

View All Jobs

Get notified when new jobs are added by Rockstar Games

Level Up Your Career in Game Development!

Transform Your Passion into Profession with Our Comprehensive Courses for Aspiring Game Developers.

Job Common Plug