Senior Gameplay Engineer

At Wizards of the Coast, we harness the power of imagination and connection to create unforgettable experiences. We create entertainment that inspires creativity, sparks passion, forges friendships, and fosters communities around the globe. In every pursuit our mission is to inspire a lifetime love of games. Whether it's through the strategic depth of Magic: The Gathering®, the rich storytelling of Dungeons & Dragons®, or our AAA digital game studios, we build worlds that bring people together, spark creativity, and fuel adventure. As we continue to grow and explore new realms, we're seeking passionate, curious, and innovative minds to join the adventure.

Skeleton Key is a game development studio and division of Wizards of the Coast. We are a group of industry veterans who are guided by the belief that empowering our teams and providing the necessary time, tools, and support we can foster a creative culture where everyone can do their best work.

Our studio is located in Austin, TX, and we are looking for a passionate and dedicated Senior Gameplay Engineer to join us and bring our first AAA game to life. This role will be based out of Austin, TX.

Reporting to the Lead Gameplay Engineer, you will be a key contributor as we enter pre-production, focused on building and iterating on core gameplay systems. This role emphasizes hands-on implementation of player-facing features, networked multiplayer gameplay, and NPC and enemy combatant behaviors. You will develop systems that must function reliably in shared game states, working closely with design, animation, and engineering teams to deliver responsive, scalable gameplay within Unreal Engine.

What you'll do:

• Design, implement, and iterate on gameplay systems and player-facing features using C++ in Unreal Engine.
• Collaborate closely with Gameplay Design to translate concepts into scalable, maintainable systems.
• Implement features with awareness of replication, shared state, and multiplayer considerations.
• Partner with animation and technical animation teams to ensure gameplay feels responsive and cohesive.
• Debug, profile, and optimize systems to ensure performance, stability, and scalability.
• Contribute to code reviews, technical discussions, and shared engineering practices across the team.
• Design and implement AI-related gameplay features, including behavior logic, decision-making, and player interactions.

What you'll bring:

• 5+ years of professional experience as a Gameplay Engineer on shipped games.
• Strong C++ experience with Unreal Engine gameplay systems.
• Experience implementing gameplay features in real-time 3D environments.
• Familiarity with gameplay systems that operate across multiple players or shared game states, including Unreal Engine AI systems such as behavior trees, AI controllers, or navigation.
• Experience collaborating closely with design and content teams.
• Strong debugging, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a cross-disciplinary team.

Nice to have:

• Experience working on multiplayer or co-operative gameplay systems.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine replication or multiplayer gameplay patterns.
• Experience working on action-oriented or systems-heavy games.
• Background contributing to early pre-production or foundational gameplay systems.

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

Skeleton Key is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. We are committed to making all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. If you have a disability and require assistance in this application process and need to request an accommodation, please contact your recruiter or coordinator.

The base salary range for this position is $154,900.00 to $232,400.00. The hiring range will vary based on factors such as experience, skills, location and market conditions. Additionally, employees may be eligible for annual and long-term incentives as part of their overall compensation package.

Our Comprehensive Benefits Package Includes:

• Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Time Off to Recharge: Paid Vacation & Holidays
• Financial Well-being: Generous 401(k) Match
• Life & Family Support: Paid Parental Leave
• Giving Back: Volunteer & Employee Giving Programs
• Level Up Your Skills: Tuition Reimbursement
• Exclusive Perks: Product Discounts & More!

#SkeletonKey