Senior Gameplay Systems Programmer in London

Senior Gameplay Systems Programmer in London

London Full-Time 50000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Warner Bros. Discovery

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and deliver core gameplay systems while solving complex technical challenges.
  • Company: Join Warner Bros. Discovery, a leader in storytelling and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, competitive salary, and inclusive culture.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team creating iconic games that inspire and entertain.
  • Qualifications: Strong experience in UE5 and C++ for gameplay systems.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.

This job is with Warner Bros.

Discovery, an inclusive employer and a member of my Gwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Please do not contact the recruiter directly.

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth.

Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves.

Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Rocksteady Studios is an award-winning, critically acclaimed video game developer.

Founded in 2004, we are home to the widely celebrated

Batman: Arkham series of games.

Our philosophy for game development is all about treating people well to create quality entertainment that stands the test of time.

We’re a one-project studio that built our success by combining genre-defining gameplay and character-driven cinematic narrative with AAA production values.

Born in the heart of London, our multicultural team takes inspiration from the culture and history of our home in one of the most diverse cities in the world.

You'll own the design and delivery of core gameplay systems, solving complex technical problems with creativity and pragmatism.

You'll work closely across disciplines, bringing strong technical judgment and a self-directed approach to everything you do.

Your Role Accountabilities...

  • Implement and evolve core gameplay systems and features through all stages of development, from prototyping and iteration to optimisation and polish.
  • Build robust, scalable gameplay architecture across player-facing and underlying systems, including mission frameworks, progression, save/load flows, and core runtime infrastructure.
  • Partner closely with Design and other disciplines to translate creative goals into reliable technical solutions, while communicating risks, trade-offs, and opportunities clearly.
  • Develop tools and workflows that improve iteration speed, usability, and reliability for content creators and cross-discipline teams.
  • Debug and resolve complex gameplay issues across code, data, and systems, driving problems through to practical, high-quality outcomes.
  • Identify technical debt, performance issues, and stability risks early, and make pragmatic improvements that strengthen the game over time.
  • Contribute to strong engineering practices through maintainable code, thoughtful reviews, clear interfaces, and a proactive approach to ownership.
  • Support production processes including estimation, task breakdown, backlog review, and collaboration with production partners.

Requirements

  • Strong UE5 professional experience developing gameplay systems in C++ for shipped games.
  • Proven ability to architect and maintain complex gameplay features with a focus on reliability, flexibility, and long-term maintainability.
  • Excellent debugging and optimisation skills, with experience improving runtime performance, memory usage, and system stability.
  • Strong understanding of game technology fundamentals and how gameplay systems interact with tools, content, and engine-level systems.
  • Effective collaborator and communicator, comfortable working closely with Design, Production, QA, and other engineering teams.
  • Self-directed, organised, and able to take ownership of substantial areas of work with minimal guidance.
  • Nice to Have
  • Experience with mission, progression, or save-system development.
  • Experience working on large-scale or AAA games.

Hybrid Working - This role is advertised as a Hybrid work model, that combines remote and in-office work, following our current company policy and to be agreed with your Line Manager.

Subject to any applicable laws, WBD / your Line Manager reserves the right to change this working agreement where this is essential to business needs and upon reasonable notice to you.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important!

Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done.

You can find them at along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day.

We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros.

Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences.

Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Senior Gameplay Systems Programmer in London employer: Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the iconic Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. With a strong commitment to employee growth and development, we provide comprehensive training and career advancement opportunities, all while fostering a culture of safety and collaboration. Join us to be part of a creative team that values innovation and ensures memorable experiences for our visitors.

Warner Bros. Discovery

Contact Details:

Warner Bros. Discovery Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Gameplay Systems Programmer in London

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 Warner Bros. Discovery 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 Warner Bros. Discovery.

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 Warner Bros. Discovery.

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 Warner Bros. Discovery 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 Gameplay Systems Programmer in London

C++
Unreal Engine 5 (UE5)
Gameplay Systems Development
Debugging Skills
Optimisation Skills
Game Technology Fundamentals
Collaboration Skills

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 Warner Bros. Discovery.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Warner Bros. Discovery 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 Warner Bros. Discovery

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 Warner Bros. Discovery 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.