Principal Engine Programmer

Description :

As a Principal Engine Programmer (Unreal) at LightFury, you will be the technical leader responsible for architecting, developing, and optimizing core engine systems for our AAA games using Unreal Engine. You will lead a team of talented engineers, drive technical innovation, and ensure our games achieve industry-leading performance and visual fidelity. This role demands deep technical expertise, leadership acumen, and the ability to solve complex engineering challenges at scale.

Responsibilities :

- Lead the architecture and development of core engine systems, including rendering, physics, audio, and gameplay frameworks within Unreal Engine.

- Drive technical vision and strategy for engine development across multiple AAA projects.

- Mentor and guide a team of engine programmers, providing technical leadership and career development.

- Collaborate with technical directors, lead programmers, and department heads to define technical requirements and project roadmaps.

- Optimize engine performance for target platforms, including PC, consoles, and mobile devices.

- Research and implement cutting-edge rendering techniques, including real-time ray tracing, advanced lighting, and post-processing effects.

- Design and implement scalable systems for large open-world games and multiplayer architectures.

- Establish coding standards, best practices, and development workflows for the engine team.

- Work closely with platform holders (Sony, Microsoft, Epic Games) on engine optimization and platform specific features.

- Lead technical reviews, code reviews, and architectural discussions.

- Stay at the forefront of industry trends, emerging technologies, and Unreal Engine updates.

Requirements :

- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or equivalent experience.

years of professional game development experience with a focus on engine programming.

- Shipped multiple AAA titles in a senior technical role.

- Expert-level proficiency in C++ and advanced software engineering practices.

- Proven track record of leading technical teams and mentoring junior developers.

- Strong understanding of software architecture, design patterns, and scalable system design.

- Experience with version control systems, build systems, and continuous integration pipelines.

- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environments.

- Outstanding communication skills and ability to collaborate across multiple disciplines.

Unreal Engine Expertise :

- Mastery of Unreal Engine architecture, including a deep understanding of the rendering pipeline, memory management, and multi-threading systems.

- Expert-level proficiency in C++ and advanced knowledge of Unreal Engine's C++ API and engine source code.

- Extensive experience with Unreal Engine's core systems : UObject framework, Garbage Collection, Reflection system, and Module architecture.

- Advanced knowledge of rendering systems, including materials, shaders, lighting, and post-processing pipelines.

- Experience with Unreal Engine's networking and replication systems for multiplayer games.

- Proficiency in optimizing the Unreal Engine for various platforms and hardware configurations.

Engine Development Expertise :

years of experience in game engine development with at least 3 years in a senior or principal role.

- Deep understanding of computer graphics, including advanced rendering techniques, GPU programming,

and shader development.

- Expertise in performance optimization, profiling, and debugging complex engine systems.

- Experience with multi-threaded programming, parallel processing, and concurrent system design.

- Knowledge of modern graphics APIs, including DirectX 12 Vulkan, and Metal.

- Experience with physics engines, audio systems, and gameplay framework development.

- Strong background in mathematics, including linear algebra, calculus, and 3D mathematics.

Desirable Skills :

- Experience with console development (PlayStation 5 Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch).

- Knowledge of mobile optimization and cross-platform development.

- Experience with VR/AR development and related engine modifications.

- Familiarity with cloud computing, server architecture, and backend services.

- Experience with procedural content generation and world streaming systems.

- Knowledge of machine learning applications in game engines.

- Contributions to open-source projects or published research in computer graphics.

- Experience with agile development methodologies and technical project management.