Senior Engineer - Networking at Free Range Games

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Free Range Games grows games the old fashioned way: we don’t put our team in cages, we work distributedly, and we don’t use toxic work/life trade-offs. Some of our crafters have worked together from PS1 to PS5 and will tell you about carving games one triangle at a time from punch cards.

We are some of the folk behind Spider-man, Tony Hawk, Lord of the Rings, Twitch Sings, Oddworld, Callisto Protocol, Shrek Super Slam, and dozens of mobile and web games. We believe every member of the team has a voice in what the game should be.

We prioritize community, family, and love-of-gaming over process, crunching, and TPS reports. And maybe that’s what you want too.

As a Senior/Principal Network Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and optimizing our game's networking capabilities to ensure seamless and robust cross-platform play. You'll work closely with gameplay, engine, and tools teams to develop advanced networking solutions that support our game's dynamic world and high-fidelity gameplay.

Responsibilities:

Architect and implement network systems for a high-performance, large-scale multiplayer environment in Unreal Engine 5, with a focus on crossplay between PS5, Xbox, and PC.
Optimize network performance and bandwidth utilization to support fast-paced, action-oriented gameplay across all platforms.
Able to architect modern controls schemes for replicating action character movement .
Develop innovative strategies for server workload distribution, ensuring a smooth and equitable gaming experience for all players.
Collaborate with the gameplay and engine teams to advise on best practices for networked game design and code structure.
Address networking edge-case defects and implement quality-of-life improvements for development workflows.
Stay abreast of the latest in network architecture and cross-platform development to continuously improve our game's performance and player experience.

Requirements:

Proven experience as a network engineer on multiplayer console titles, with at least one shipped title as a testament to your skills.
Strong proficiency in C++, with hands-on experience in Unreal Engine Networking being highly desirable.
Deep understanding of network protocols, server architecture, and bandwidth optimization techniques.
Familiarity with Console and PC network architectures and their implications for crossplay.
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Desirable Experience:

Experience with co-op gameplay and high ping-time optimization.
Utilization of Unreal’s low-level networking in non-standard ways.
Strong foundation in vector math and calculus.
Previous leadership experience or the ability to mentor junior engineers.
A passion for games and a keen interest in the latest trends and technologies in game development.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Free Range Games is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Free Range Games makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

E-Verify participant

Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Free Range Games participates in E-Verify.

Estimated Salary range:

Our salary intelligence, powered by our AI algorithms, has calculated an estimated range for this position between $85,000 - $120,000 . Please note that the actual salary for this position may vary, as it is dependent on various factors including but not limited to experience, location, and market dynamics.

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