Senior Gameplay Engineer (Animation) - Runescape: Dragonwilds at Jagex

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Game DevelopmentIndustries

Requirements

Excellent experience in animation programming, with a passion to become the team’s subject matter expert
Proven background implementing complex gameplay and animation features in multiplayer games
Strong understanding of game design principles and a genuine passion for gaming
Advanced C++ knowledge, with the ability to apply principles across additional languages such as C# or Python
Knowledgeable in profiling and optimising code
Ability to design complex systems using appropriate patterns, solving architectural and system-level problems
Good knowledge of source code repository usage (Perforce)
Capacity to mentor others and contribute to the team’s continuous improvement by sharing and refining best practices
At ease with independence, allowing one to co-organise own strike team and allocate resources intelligently
Excellent communication skills and sociability, enabling efficient remote work environment
Experience in UE4 or UE5 C++
Familiarity with animation pipelines involving Maya or similar 3D tools

Responsibilities

Design, implement and maintain animation systems across the game—covering character movement, combat, spells, emotes, AIs, IKs, NPCs and more
Build tools and pipelines that support animation workflows, improving efficiency and data quality
Partner with animators and technical animators to define best practices, automate processes, and enable creative iteration
Write clear, maintainable and portable C++ code that aligns with engineering standards and gameplay requirements
Support gameplay engineers by writing clean interfaces they can plug into and coordinating with them on architectural design
Mentor junior engineers through code reviews, architecture discussions, and knowledge sharing
Proactively identify risks and opportunities within the animation space, proposing technical strategies and improvements
Occasionally contribute to core gameplay features, offering flexibility and cross-discipline collaboration
Support the engineering team with recruitment and hiring

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

C++Unreal Engine 5Animation SystemsInverse KinematicsAICombat SystemsCharacter MovementEmotesNPCsAnimation PipelinesTooling

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work location and remote policy for this role?

The role is hybrid, based in Cambridge, UK, with remote work available within the UK and approximately 4 onsite days per year in the Cambridge office.

What is the salary for this position?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key skills are required for this Senior Gameplay Engineer role?

Candidates need advanced C++ knowledge, excellent experience in animation programming, proven background in implementing complex gameplay and animation features in multiplayer games, and strong understanding of game design principles.

What does the team collaboration look like in this role?

You'll collaborate closely with animators, technical artists, and gameplay engineers, while mentoring junior engineers through code reviews and knowledge sharing.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

A strong candidate has excellent animation programming experience, advanced C++ skills, multiplayer game development background, mentoring ability, and comfort with independence in organizing teams.

Jagex

Develops and maintains online multiplayer games

About Jagex

Jagex develops and maintains online games that continuously evolve with new content and updates, known as "living games." Their most famous title is RuneScape, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that attracts a diverse player base, from casual gamers to dedicated enthusiasts. Players can access basic features for free or choose a premium membership for additional content and benefits. Jagex also offers in-game purchases for virtual items and enhancements. What sets Jagex apart from competitors is its strong focus on community engagement and player feedback, which helps improve their games and foster loyalty among players. The company's goal is to create immersive gaming experiences while also supporting mental health initiatives for young people through charitable partnerships.

Cambridge, United KingdomHeadquarters

2001Year Founded

BUYOUTCompany Stage

Social Impact, GamingIndustries

501-1,000Employees

Risks

New survival game development may divert resources from existing projects.

Macarthur Fortune Holding acquisition could lead to strategic shifts alienating players.

Focus on non-Runescape projects might impact RuneScape's quality and support.

Differentiation

Jagex specializes in 'living games' that evolve with continuous updates.

RuneScape, Jagex's flagship game, has a large and dedicated player base.

Jagex emphasizes community engagement and player feedback for game improvements.

Upsides

Increased interest in survival games benefits Jagex's new RuneScape universe game.

Unreal Engine 5 use aligns with trends for high-fidelity graphics and player retention.

Macarthur Fortune Holding acquisition provides resources for expansion and innovation.

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