Senior Gameplay Engineer - RuneScape: Dragonwilds

Overview

Join the team at Jagex in Cambridge, UK, with flexible working options enabling mostly remote work. Ideally, candidates should reside or be willing to relocate within reasonable commuting range to attend onsite meetings when necessary.

Role Description

As a Senior Gameplay Engineer for RuneScape: Dragonwilds, you will collaborate closely with game designers to create smooth, scalable multiplayer gameplay using Unreal Engine 5. You will transform concepts and prototypes into polished, deployable features, iterating and balancing player-facing systems to ensure they deliver an engaging experience and function reliably in a large-scale multiplayer setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and ownership of gameplay systems in UE5 using C++ and Blueprints, employing the Gameplay Ability System (GAS) for abilities, attributes, effects, and related tags, ensuring accountability from prototype through to release.
• Create and maintain modular gameplay frameworks and components consistent with GAS-first design principles, empowering designers to quickly iterate without requiring constant programming intervention.
• Develop networked gameplay elements that replicate accurately and responsively, mastering aspects such as prediction, authority, remote procedure calls (RPCs), and relevancy to guarantee a satisfying multiplayer experience.
• Partner actively with designers to refine combat, abilities, and gameplay systems, safeguarding technical soundness while delivering optimal playability.
• Provide comprehensive debugging across client and server sides, handling desynchronizations, edge cases, and live reproduction of issues to maintain stability during rapid development cycles.
• Profile and optimize gameplay code to meet performance and bandwidth goals, ensuring sustainability as player numbers and game scale increase.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive experience programming gameplay in Unreal Engine 5 using C++ and familiarity with Blueprint scripting for collaboration and rapid iteration.
• In-depth knowledge of Unreal's multiplayer networking concepts, including replication, RPCs, server authority models, relevancy/dormancy mechanisms, prediction techniques, and debugging on both client and server environments.
• Demonstrated capability to work directly with designers, enabling fast iteration while creating scalable, maintainable gameplay implementations.
• Experience developing and supporting core gameplay systems such as player abilities, combat mechanics, progression, items, and UI hooks, with preference given to those skilled in Gameplay Ability System and live multiplayer game development.
• Strong debugging acumen and performance consciousness, including profiling gameplay code and resolving desyncs and unusual edge cases.
• Excellent coding discipline featuring thorough testing, peer reviews, documentation, and ongoing refactoring, proven by successful delivery of complex projects within sizeable development teams.

Benefits & Perks

• Private Healthcare including a Dental Plan
• Discretionary annual performance bonuses
• Minimum 6% contributions to a pension scheme
• Life Insurance coverage
• Advanced family leave policies effective from the first day
• Flexible working hours to support work-life balance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with options to buy or sell holidays

Inclusion & Accessibility

We embrace diversity and are dedicated to providing equal opportunities where everyone can thrive. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and prioritize merit and ability in recruitment, development, and promotion. Reasonable adjustments for candidates during the recruitment process are available upon request.

Work Eligibility

This position requires candidates to have permanent rights to work in the UK without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

About Jagex

Jagex, home of the enduring RuneScape franchise, thrives on crafting evolving, community-driven multiplayer worlds. With over 300 million player accounts across PC and mobile platforms, Jagex is embarking on expanding RuneScape into new genres and connected experiences, including the upcoming RuneScape: Dragonwilds launching on Steam Early Access in 2025. The company operates from Cambridge, UK, fueled by talented creatives united by passion, innovation, and commitment to player empowerment.

Company Values

• Embrace Fellowship: Foster collaboration and open sharing
• Hone Our Craft: Commitment to continuous learning and improvement
• Honour Our Vows: Maintain honesty and transparency
• Be Our Customers' Heroes: Strive to understand team and player needs
• Seize The Day: Make the most of every opportunity