Gameplay Engineering Lead

Unreal Gigs$135K — $160K *
Cary, NC 27513In-Person
Consumer Technology
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Proven experience in a leadership engineering role leading a team.
  • Substantial background in game development or interactive real-time technology.
  • Strong analytical skills paired with creative problem-solving abilities.
  • Expertise in C++ and understanding of gameplay systems and mechanics.
  • Ability to empathize with users, balancing trade-offs in development.
  • Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills with feedback engagement.
  • Familiarity with Verse and Unreal Editor for Fortnite is advantageous.

Responsibilities

  • Lead project development, focusing on technical excellence and player experience.
  • Mentor and build a highly effective engineering team.
  • Collaborate with art and design to create and refine gameplay features.
  • Work with Unreal Engine teams to enhance feature development.
  • Optimize existing systems and resolve bugs.
  • Contribute ideas for all phases of project development.
  • Write clean, maintainable code that meets project standards.

Benefits

  • 100% coverage for medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees and dependents.
  • Robust mental well-being program offering free therapy and coaching.
  • Unlimited PTO and sick time available for employees.
  • Celebratory events and company-wide paid breaks throughout the year.
  • Recognition with a paid sabbatical after 7 years of employment.
Full Job Description
Part of the Unreal Engine Gameplay department, you will lead a team of experienced programmers aimed at transforming Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) and Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) gameplay technology toward Unreal Engine 6 (UE6) based on Scene Graph and Verse. As a Lead Gameplay Programmer, you will be in a leadership role on a small and focused team, playing a critical role in driving current and future projects. You will be responsible for driving core transformative changes and supporting collaborative development between programmers, UEFN developers, and licensees. You will have opportunities to work on a variety of initiatives, get hands-on with cutting-edge technologies, and work with talented internal and external teams, all while building impactful technology that affects thousands of game developers and millions of gamers. In this role, you will • Lead development for a project or initiative, championing both technical excellence and developer experience • Guide, mentor, and help build a highly effective engineering team • Work closely with product design to create and iterate on gameplay API and tools, while maintaining strong architectural and algorithmic direction • Collaborate with Unreal Engine or Fortnite teams to contribute to ongoing feature development • Optimize, refactor, and fix bugs in existing systems, and write robust, maintainable code • Contribute ideas toward all aspects of the project's production and development • Leverage AI to enhance your daily work and empower your team. What we're looking for • Significant experience developing games with Unreal Engine • Experience as a leader in an engineering role, with demonstrated ability to lead a team effectively • Demonstrates proactive, courageous leadership: speaks up, challenges assumptions respectfully, communicates directly, and creates an environment where honest feedback is welcomed. • Deep understanding of the creator ecosystem, including game engines such as Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) or Roblox Studio, and the unique challenges of building tools, workflows, and platforms that empower developers rather than shipping a game directly. • A keen analytical mind with creative problem-solving skills and the ability to think outside the box • Proficiency in C++ with a deep understanding of gameplay systems, mechanics, and tools • Strong teamwork and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills, including the ability to deliver and respond to constructive feedback • Knowledge of Scene Graph and Verse is a plus EPIC JOB + EPIC BENEFITS = EPIC LIFE Our intent is to cover all things that are medically necessary and improve the quality of life. We pay 100% of the premiums for both you and your dependents. Our coverage includes Medical, Dental, a Vision HRA, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance & a 401k with competitive match. We also offer a robust mental well-being program through Modern Health, which provides free therapy and coaching for employees & dependents. Throughout the year we celebrate our employees with events and company-wide paid breaks. We offer unlimited PTO and sick time and recognize individuals for 7 years of employment with a paid sabbatical.

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