Lead Networking Engineer

Step Into the Multiverse: Your Next Adventure Starts Here 
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, with an additional studio location in Montreal, QC. We are looking for a Lead Networking Engineer to join us and bring our first AAA game to life. This role will be based out of our Montreal, QC studio and will require to work 3 days a week onsite.  

Reporting to the Technical Director, you will be a key contributor as we enter pre-production, owning the technical direction and execution of online and co-operative gameplay systems. This role provides hands-on engineering leadership while also managing and mentoring a small team of networking and multiplayer engineers. You will define networking architecture, guide implementation across gameplay systems, and ensure multiplayer considerations are integrated early and consistently across the project within Unreal Engine.

What you'll do:

• Lead and manage a team of networking and co-operative gameplay engineers, supporting growth, execution, and technical quality.
• Define and drive the networking architecture and technical direction for online and co-operative gameplay systems.
• Design, prototype, and implement core multiplayer systems using Unreal Engine networking features and custom solutions as needed.
• Partner closely with gameplay, systems, and engine engineers to ensure features are designed with replication, authority, and shared state in mind.
• Establish best practices for networking, replication, latency handling, and performance across gameplay systems.
• Guide technical planning, estimation, and prioritization for multiplayer-related work in collaboration with engineering leadership.
• Debug, profile, and optimize networked gameplay systems to ensure stability, scalability, and performance across supported platforms.

What you'll bring:

• 10+ years of professional experience as a Software Engineer, with significant focus on networking or online gameplay systems.
• Prior experience leading or managing engineers in a networking, online, or gameplay-focused discipline.
• Proven experience designing and shipping networked or multiplayer gameplay features in a modern game engine.
• Deep understanding of networking concepts including client/server models, replication, authority, latency, and synchronization.
• Strong C++ experience within Unreal Engine, including hands-on work with gameplay replication and networking systems.
• Ability to balance hands-on development with technical leadership, mentorship, and cross-team influence.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to clearly explain complex technical concepts to a wide range of partners.

Nice to have:

• Experience shipping co-operative or multiplayer games at scale.
• Familiarity with Unreal Engine online subsystems, platform networking requirements, or backend integrations.
• Experience collaborating with backend, services, or platform teams.
• Background contributing to early pre-production technical planning or multiplayer prototyping.

We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer

Wizards 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.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and the requirements for satisfactory performance in this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of the duties, responsibilities, or requirements of the position.

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 are selected to move forward in our application process and need to request an accommodation, please let your recruiter or coordinator know.