Principal Gameplay Programmer

Principal Gameplay Programmer

**This role is completely remote and offering a B2B contract**

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Gameplay Programmer to provide technical leadership and hands-on development for a AAA first-person extraction shooter in Unreal Engine 5. This role is responsible for defining gameplay architecture, guiding technical direction across combat and systems, and ensuring scalable, high-performance gameplay code that supports long-term live development.

You will work closely with Design, Animation, AI, Network, and Production to shape moment-to-moment gameplay while mentoring senior and mid-level engineers.

Key Responsibilities

Gameplay Architecture & Leadership

• Define and own the gameplay programming architecture for a large-scale UE5 project.
• Establish best practices for gameplay systems, coding standards, and performance.
• Lead technical decision-making for player mechanics, combat systems, and systemic gameplay.
• Mentor and support gameplay engineers, providing code reviews and technical guidance.

Core Gameplay Systems

• Design and implement high-quality first-person gameplay systems, such as:
• Player movement and traversal
• Weapon handling, shooting mechanics, recoil, and ballistics
• Health, damage, armor, and progression systems
• Inventory, looting, and extraction mechanics
• Ensure gameplay feels responsive, readable, and competitive.

Networking & Multiplayer

• Architect and implement network-ready gameplay systems using UE5's networking model.
• Ensure gameplay code is deterministic, performant, and secure.
• Collaborate with online and backend teams to support persistence and live services.

Performance & Optimization

• Profile and optimize gameplay systems for CPU, memory, and network performance.
• Ensure gameplay code scales to large maps, high player counts, and long sessions.
• Identify and resolve systemic technical risks early in development.

Cross-Discipline Collaboration

• Partner closely with Designers to translate gameplay vision into robust systems.
• Work with Animation and Technical Animation to support animation-driven gameplay.
• Collaborate with AI, VFX, and Audio teams to deliver cohesive combat experiences.

This studio is searching for someone who will has principal or leadership experience, and is comfortable operating as a hands-on developer on a brand new IP. If this sounds like something of interest, please reach out to me at michael@levelupgaming.io with your CV.