Principal Game Engineer (Unreal Engine)

TL;DR

Principal Game Engineer (Unreal Engine/C++): Designing and implementing high-quality gameplay, UI, and 3Cs systems for various partner projects with an accent on technical leadership and architectural decisions. Focus on creating responsive player experiences, solving complex engine-level technical challenges, and mentoring engineering teams.

Location: Hybrid in Brighton, UK (requires 3 days onsite per week)

Company

hirify.global is a multinational co-development studio specializing in AAA-quality player-centric experiences.

What you will do

• Design and polish gameplay features, UI systems, and 3Cs (character, camera, and controls) to ensure responsive and intuitive player experiences.
• Own the technical direction for player experience work, making architectural decisions and guiding prototypes to ship quality.
• Act as a senior technical representative for partners, gathering requirements and communicating technical trade-offs.
• Investigate and resolve complex technical issues across gameplay, UI, and engine-level systems using profiling and diagnostic tools.
• Mentor engineers across the team and share expertise in player experience engineering.
• Champion high standards of code quality and maintainability through rigorous code reviews.

Requirements

• Extensive professional experience shipping games at a principal level.
• Expert proficiency in C++ and C# with a commitment to writing clean and efficient code.
• Strong grasp of linear algebra and 3D maths underpinning cameras, movement, and gameplay systems.
• Deep experience with Unreal Engine, including Gameplay Framework and UMG/Slate.
• Confidence and clarity in communicating complex technical topics to partners and stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Experience shipping titles on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, or Switch 2.
• Professional experience developing and shipping games in Unity.
• Familiarity with Gameplay Ability System (GAS), plugin development, or Unreal Engine source.
• Experience designing and implementing accessible controls and UI.
• Prior experience in a co-dev or external development environment.

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid working arrangement with a centrally located office in Brighton.
• Private medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus a private pension via salary sacrifice.
• Generous time off including annual leave, bank holidays, and a winter break office closure.
• Annual research credit for personal growth and professional development opportunities.
• Strong emphasis on work-life balance with a strict no-crunch policy.
• Family-friendly benefits including 6 weeks of Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption Leave.