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- Tasks: Lead the technical vision for an open-world multiplayer game framework while coding and mentoring a team.
- Company: Join a dynamic studio focused on creating innovative gaming experiences with Unreal Engine 5.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, healthcare, pension, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Be a founding engineer in a creative environment that values collaboration and innovation in game development.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in game programming with deep Unreal Engine expertise and leadership experience required.
- Other info: This role is perfect for those passionate about empowering creators and building scalable systems.
The predicted salary is between 64000 - 96000 £ per year.
Principal Programmer to take technical ownership of this studio's in-house open-world multiplayer game creation framework. The role is hybrid, involving 2 days a week at their Guildford studio. Benefits include – Pension, Healthcare, possible future bonuses, 25 days minimum holiday, £80-£90k base salary. Applicants must hold current eligibility to work in the UK; there’s no Visa sponsorship available.
About the role - They’re seeking an experienced, product-focused technical leader to take charge of the technical vision and execution of their open-world multiplayer game creation framework. You’ll operate as a founding engineer or technical cofounder, helping scale their modular, multiplayer-first sandbox framework built on Unreal Engine 5. This is a hands-on leadership position: you’ll be actively coding while also working closely with production to manage a small core team of engineers and scripters, guiding the development process, and ensuring their systems meet the scale and ambition of the platform.
The ideal candidate would have 10+ years of experience with a deep Unreal expertise (including networking, plugins, and tools), and a passion for building powerful and extensible systems. You’ll work directly with leadership to ensure the product ships on time, on spec, and with excellence.
What you will be doing:
- Acting as technical owner setting the direction and standards across all technical systems.
- Leading and mentoring the engineering team, providing code reviews, technical guidance, and architectural oversight.
- Contributing code daily—this is a hands-on leadership role.
- Overseeing and implementing systems across gameplay, networking, tooling, UI, online services, backend, and DevOps.
- Collaborating with other departments (gameplay, art, production) to ensure engine features meet evolving needs.
- Spearheading the adoption of AI/ML-driven workflows and tooling across the engineering org.
- Recruiting, onboarding, and mentoring technical team members.
- Maintaining a high level of responsiveness, adaptability, and technical excellence in a fast-paced environment.
- Championing engineering culture, team cohesion, and sustainable development practices.
- Supporting with hiring to grow the engineering team according to project needs and studio values.
What we will need from you:
- 10+ years of professional experience as a game/engine programmer, including technical leadership on shipped titles or platforms.
- Deep expertise in Unreal Engine—including networking, gameplay systems, Lyra framework, motion matching, custom plugins/tools, and engine extensions.
- Proven experience building and scaling engineering teams.
- Strong background in gameplay programming, multiplayer architecture, and online subsystem integrations (e.g. EOS, Steam, etc).
- Competence in backend systems, scalable services, and DevOps pipelines.
- Proficiency in CI/CD, debugging, and performance optimization.
- Familiarity with web technologies (HTML/CSS/JS) for platform or dashboard/launcher related features.
- Passion for empowering creators through extensibility, modularity, and clean systems architecture.
Nice to have:
- Experience with UGC platforms, modding frameworks, or live service ecosystems.
- Experience building or contributing to game development tools for teams or communities.
- Previous work in fast-moving startup or small team environments.
Value alignment:
- You thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments where efficiency, agility, and a strong team culture lead to significant and meaningful impact.
- You enjoy working closely with other disciplines, wearing multiple hats, and iterating quickly.
- You’re excited by ambitious creative tools and believe in enabling others through technology.
CVs to simon.pittam@amiqus.com
Locations
Principal Programmer C++ UE4/5 employer: Amiqus - Games Recruitment Specialists
Contact Detail:
Amiqus - Games Recruitment Specialists Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Programmer C++ UE4/5
✨Tip Number 1
Make sure to showcase your deep expertise in Unreal Engine during any conversations or interviews. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've implemented networking, gameplay systems, or custom plugins, as this will demonstrate your hands-on experience and technical leadership.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the studio, especially those in technical roles. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when discussing your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in building and scaling engineering teams. Highlight any leadership roles you've held and how you've successfully mentored others, as this is a key aspect of the position and will show your capability to lead a team effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in AI/ML-driven workflows and tooling, as this is an area they are keen to develop. Being able to speak knowledgeably about how these technologies can enhance game development will set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Programmer C++ UE4/5
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your 10+ years of experience in game/engine programming, particularly focusing on your expertise with Unreal Engine. Include specific examples of your technical leadership and any shipped titles you've worked on.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for building powerful systems and your experience in leading engineering teams. Mention your familiarity with multiplayer architecture and how you can contribute to the studio's ambitious projects.
Showcase Relevant Projects: Include a portfolio or links to relevant projects that demonstrate your skills in gameplay programming, networking, and any tools or plugins you've developed. This will help illustrate your hands-on experience and technical capabilities.
Highlight Team Collaboration: Emphasise your ability to work collaboratively with other departments such as art and production. Provide examples of how you've successfully led teams and mentored junior engineers, showcasing your leadership style and commitment to team culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at Amiqus - Games Recruitment Specialists
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your deep knowledge of Unreal Engine, especially in areas like networking and gameplay systems. Bring examples from your past projects that demonstrate your technical leadership and problem-solving skills.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves mentoring and guiding a team, be ready to share your experiences in leading engineering teams. Highlight how you've successfully managed projects and fostered a collaborative environment.
✨Prepare for Hands-On Coding Challenges
Expect to engage in coding exercises during the interview. Brush up on your C++ skills and be ready to solve problems on the spot, showcasing your ability to write clean and efficient code.
✨Align with Company Values
Research the studio's culture and values. Be prepared to discuss how your work ethic and passion for empowering creators align with their mission, especially in fast-paced and collaborative settings.
