Senior Gameplay Engineer (Unreal Engine)

TL;DR

Senior Gameplay Engineer (Unreal Engine): Design, implement, and iterate on core gameplay systems for an AAA multiplayer game with an accent on networked multiplayer features, NPC and enemy behaviors, and player-facing interactions. Focus on building scalable C++ systems that handle shared game states, replication, and AI decision-making for responsive, high-performance gameplay.

Location: Based out of Austin, TX, United States (onsite)

Salary: $154,900 - $232,400

Company

Skeleton Key is a game development studio and division of hirify.global focused on building their first AAA game.

What you will do

• Design, implement, and iterate on gameplay systems and player-facing features using C++ in Unreal Engine.
• Collaborate with Gameplay Design to translate concepts into scalable, maintainable systems.
• Implement features considering replication, shared state, and multiplayer aspects.
• Partner with animation teams for responsive and cohesive gameplay.
• Debug, profile, and optimize systems for performance, stability, and scalability.
• Contribute to code reviews, technical discussions, and engineering practices.
• Design and implement AI gameplay features including behavior logic and player interactions.

Requirements

• 5+ years of professional experience as a Gameplay Engineer on shipped games
• Strong C++ experience with Unreal Engine gameplay systems
• Experience implementing gameplay features in real-time 3D environments
• Familiarity with multiplayer/shared state systems, including Unreal Engine AI (behavior trees, AI controllers, navigation)
• Experience collaborating with design and content teams
• Strong debugging, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills
• Clear communication and cross-disciplinary teamwork

Nice to have

• Experience with multiplayer or co-operative gameplay systems
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine replication or multiplayer patterns
• Experience on action-oriented or systems-heavy games
• Background in pre-production or foundational gameplay systems

Culture & Benefits

• Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Time Off: Paid Vacation & Holidays, Paid Parental Leave
• Financial: Generous 401(k) Match
• Professional Growth: Tuition Reimbursement
• Perks: Product Discounts, Volunteer & Employee Giving Programs