About the RoleWe're seeking a highly technical Principal Engineer with deep Unreal Engine expertise and extensive experience in console development and multiplayer systems. This is primarily a hands-on engineering role (approximately 90% programming and 10% technical leadership), ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges while mentoring a small engineering team.
You will lead implementation of multiplayer functionality, console-specific features, networking architecture, and performance optimization across multiple platforms. You'll help define engineering standards, review technical designs, and provide guidance to other engineers while remaining actively involved in day-to-day development.
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Hybrid in Loveland, Colorado (preferred 4 days/week onsite).
Responsibilities- Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of multiplayer gameplay systems, networking architecture, and online functionality within Unreal Engine.
- Develop and maintain gameplay systems, engine features, and runtime systems using C++ and Unreal Engine.
- Own console development workflows, including platform optimization, certification readiness, platform-specific debugging, and compliance across Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
- Design and improve multiplayer networking systems, client-server architecture, replication, matchmaking integration, and online gameplay features.
- Profile and optimize performance across CPU, GPU, memory, networking, and platform-specific constraints.
- Collaborate closely with the studio leadership on architecture decisions, technical planning, and engineering best practices.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance through code reviews, design discussions, and knowledge sharing while remaining primarily hands-on in development.
- Work cross-functionally with design, art, production, and QA to deliver scalable and maintainable technical solutions.
- Contribute to build pipelines, tools, debugging utilities, and workflow improvements to increase team efficiency.
Minimum Requirements- 8+ years of professional game engineering experience.
- Expert-level proficiency in C++ and Unreal Engine (UE4/UE5).
- Extensive experience shipping multiplayer games or online gameplay systems.
- Strong understanding of Unreal networking, replication, client-server architecture, matchmaking, and online services.
- Strong understanding of first-party certification processes and TRC/XR compliance across console platforms.
- Proven experience developing and shipping console titles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch).
- Strong debugging, profiling, and performance optimization skills across multiple platforms.
- Demonstrated technical leadership experience, including mentoring engineers, reviewing code, and driving engineering best practices.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate across multiple disciplines.
Nice to Have- Experience leading engineering teams or serving as a Principal or Lead Engineer.
- Experience with dedicated servers, backend services, authentication, and live-service infrastructure.
- Experience with ARK Survival Ascended or Atlas Modkit environments.
- Familiarity with cloud-hosted multiplayer infrastructure and online services.
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, telemetry, crash reporting, and developer tools.
- Experience shipping live-service or cross-platform multiplayer titles.
Salary Range$125,000 - $160,000 Annually (depending on experience)
Why Join the Studio Sirens Team?- True focus on work/life balance
- Paid company holidays, vacation, and separate sick leave
- Medical, dental, vision, and Life/LTD
- 401(k) with company match
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
