At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and build core gameplay systems using C++ and Unreal Engine 5.
- Company: Award-winning independent game studio with a laid-back, inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid work setup, competitive salary, and relocation support available.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make a real impact on exciting AAA projects.
- Qualifications: Strong C++ skills and experience with Unreal Engine 5 required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Location: Brighton, UK (Hybrid, 3 days a week)
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Visa Sponsorship: Not available (Must have existing right to work in the UK)
About the Studio & Opportunity
I am currently partnering with an award-winning, independent UK game development studio known for creating rich, narrative-driven titles and original IPs. They are actively expanding their engineering team to work on two exciting AAA projects developed in Unreal Engine 5, including a major new original IP. The studio culture is laid-back, inclusive, and anti-micromanagement. They place high value on creative freedom, open conversation, and ownership, making this an ideal home for a self-motivated senior engineer who wants their work to make a tangible impact.
The Role
As a Senior or Principal Gameplay Programmer, you will take true ownership of designing, building, and maintaining core gameplay systems and supporting technical frameworks. Reporting directly to the Technical Director, you will work alongside a close-knit, highly skilled engineering team (9 coders across 2 project squads) to turn complex technical challenges into engaging player experiences.
What you’ll be doing:
- Own Core Systems: Architect and implement high-quality gameplay systems, AI behaviours, and tools using C++ and UE5.
- Open World Development: Work closely with procedural generation techniques and large-scale open-world streaming/systems.
- Technical Best Practices: Write clean, maintainable source code and encourage strong architectural practices within the engineering group.
- Collaborate Across Disciplines: Partner with design, art, and narrative teams to shape feature implementation from concept to final polish.
- Solve Tough Challenges: Dive deep into the codebase to debug, optimize, and overcome complex technical hurdles.
What We’re Looking For
- C++ & UE5 Expertise: Strong, battle-tested C++ skills with deep hands-on experience in Unreal Engine 5 at a Senior or Principal level.
- Gameplay Frameworks: Practical experience with UE5’s Gameplay Ability System (GAS), Behaviour Trees, and State Trees.
- Open World Experience: Exposure to systems-level programming for large open-world or procedural environments (e.g., streaming, world partitioning).
- Problem Solving & Autonomy: A self-starter mindset with the ability to take full ownership of features without needing to be micro-managed.
- Modern Tooling: Familiarity or curiosity around incorporating modern AI workflows/tools into everyday coding to streamline repetitive tasks.
Work Setup & Location
- Hybrid Working: 3 days in the office (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and 2 days remote/flexible.
- Office Location: Brighton, UK (a vibrant hub for UK game dev).
- Relocation Support: A dedicated relocation package is available for candidates moving within the UK/Europe with existing right to work in the UK.
Senior/Principal Gameplay Programmer in Brighton employer: Skillsearch
Join a dynamic and innovative game development team where your role as a Producer will be pivotal in delivering high-quality, multi-platform game releases. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and support, you'll have the opportunity to influence production processes while working in a positive environment that fosters creativity and growth. Located in a vibrant area, this position offers exposure to the full game development lifecycle, ensuring that you are at the forefront of exciting projects and career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior/Principal Gameplay Programmer in Brighton
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Skillsearch or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Skillsearch.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Skillsearch.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Skillsearch that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Principal Gameplay Programmer in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Skillsearch.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Skillsearch and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Skillsearch
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Skillsearch uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
