Lead 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 Lead 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 Technical Director, you will be a key contributor as we enter pre-production, providing technical leadership for gameplay systems and managing a small team of engineers. This role focuses on owning the implementation and evolution of player-facing gameplay features, supporting design iteration, and guiding engineering best practices. The position is both a leadership and hands-on role, working closely with design, animation, and other engineering teams to deliver high-quality gameplay systems within Unreal Engine.

What you'll do:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of gameplay engineers, supporting growth, performance, and day-to-day execution.
• Provide technical direction and hands-on implementation across core gameplay systems.
• Collaborate closely with Game Design to translate gameplay concepts into scalable, maintainable systems.
• Guide implementation decisions to ensure gameplay systems are performant, extensible, and production-ready.
• Review code, establish best practices, and support consistent engineering standards across gameplay features.
• Partner with the Technical Director and other leads on planning, estimation, and technical decision-making.

What you'll bring:

• 7+ years of professional experience as a Gameplay Engineer on shipped games.
• Prior experience leading or managing engineers in a gameplay-focused team.
• Strong C++ experience with Unreal Engine gameplay systems.
• Experience collaborating closely with design and content teams.
• Ability to balance hands-on development with people leadership.
• Strong communication skills and technical judgment.

Nice to have:

• Experience leading gameplay development during early pre-production or foundational systems phases.
• Background working on action or systems-heavy games.
• Familiarity with gameplay systems that must operate reliably across multiple players or shared game states.
• Experience collaborating across engineering, design, and animation teams to deliver complex gameplay features.

We are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer

Wizards of the Coast 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 $172,683.00 to $258,957.00. 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!

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