Game Systems Programmer
Laurel, MD · On-site
Are able to obtai Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately ... Have experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary, in-house, open-source, or custom real ...
Game Systems Programmer
Laurel, MD · On-site
Are able to obtai Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately ... Have experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary, in-house, open-source, or custom real ...
Computer Vision Software Engineers
Mclean, VA · On-site
$95 - $120/hr
To promote these efforts, Leidos is looking for a onsite mid-level Software Engineer to join our ... Extensive experience designing, implementing, and maintaining C++, Java, and Python software ...
Computer Vision Software Engineers
Mclean, VA · On-site
$95 - $120/hr
To promote these efforts, Leidos is looking for a onsite mid-level Software Engineer to join our ... Extensive experience designing, implementing, and maintaining C++, Java, and Python software ...
Unreal Level Designer information
What is an Unreal Level Designer?
Unreal Level Designers are professionals who create, design, and optimize interactive 3D environments within games or simulations using Unreal Engine. They are responsible for crafting the layout, appearance, and gameplay flow of game levels, ensuring they are visually appealing and engaging for players. Their work often involves collaborating with artists, programmers, and writers to bring the game's vision to life, using Unreal Engine's powerful tools and features to build immersive experiences. Additionally, they may be involved in playtesting levels, making adjustments based on feedback, and troubleshooting technical issues that arise during development.
How does an Unreal Level Designer typically collaborate with other departments during game development?
An Unreal Level Designer works closely with artists, programmers, and narrative designers to create immersive and functional game environments. Collaboration often involves regular meetings to ensure level layouts align with gameplay mechanics, story objectives, and artistic direction. Designers must communicate clearly, integrate assets provided by other departments, and quickly adapt to feedback or technical constraints. This cross-functional teamwork is essential to deliver cohesive and engaging player experiences.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Unreal Level Designer, and why are they important?
To thrive as an Unreal Level Designer, you need strong skills in 3D modeling, spatial design, and a solid understanding of game development principles, often supported by experience with Unreal Engine and a relevant degree or portfolio. Proficiency with Unreal Engine's level editor, Blueprint scripting, and asset integration tools is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration are essential soft skills for creating engaging and polished game environments. These skills ensure the delivery of immersive, playable levels that meet both artistic vision and gameplay requirements.
What is the difference between Unreal Level Designer vs Environment Artist?
| Aspect | Unreal Level Designer | Environment Artist |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Designing playable levels, layout, gameplay flow | Creating visual environments, textures, and assets |
| Skills | Level scripting, gameplay mechanics, Unreal Engine proficiency | 3D modeling, texturing, artistic skills |
| Work Environment | Game development teams, using Unreal Engine | Art departments, using 3D software and Unreal Engine |
| Common Usage | Game design, level creation, gameplay experience | Visual environment creation, asset development |
While both roles work within Unreal Engine and game development, Unreal Level Designers focus on creating engaging, playable levels with gameplay flow, whereas Environment Artists specialize in crafting the visual aesthetics and assets of game worlds. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.
What are popular job titles related to Unreal Level Designer jobs in Washington?
For Unreal Level Designer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Unreal Level Designer jobs in Washington look for?
The top searched job categories for Unreal Level Designer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Unreal Level Designer jobs?
Cities in Washington with the most Unreal Level Designer job openings:
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO
This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.
Key responsibilities
Design, develop, test, and improve real-time software systems that support simulation, interactive 3D visualization, scenario execution, and training.
Build performance-sensitive software for engine systems involving runtime state, physics models, data flow, networking, input, visualization, or simulation control.
Integrate game engines, simulation frameworks, physics models, data sources, and external tools into reliable interactive capabilities.
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating
9.6
Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
2nd of 75 rated research
Job description
Description
Are you skilled in C++, game-engine systems, real-time simulation, or performance-sensitive software?
Do you enjoy debugging hard runtime problems and building interactive 3D capabilities that run reliably under real constraints?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
We are seeking a game systems programmer to help us build advanced training and simulation capabilities for critical national security challenges. You'll join a multidisciplinary team creating game-engine-based tools for scenario execution, physics modeling, visualization, experimentation, and mission planning. This is an opportunity to apply the craft of systems programming to technical problems that matter beyond a product cycle.
As a Game Systems Programmer...
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$195,000 Annually
Are you skilled in C++, game-engine systems, real-time simulation, or performance-sensitive software?
Do you enjoy debugging hard runtime problems and building interactive 3D capabilities that run reliably under real constraints?
If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.
We are seeking a game systems programmer to help us build advanced training and simulation capabilities for critical national security challenges. You'll join a multidisciplinary team creating game-engine-based tools for scenario execution, physics modeling, visualization, experimentation, and mission planning. This is an opportunity to apply the craft of systems programming to technical problems that matter beyond a product cycle.
As a Game Systems Programmer...
- Your primary responsibility will be to design, develop, test, and improve real-time software systems that support simulation, interactive 3D visualization, scenario execution, and training.
- You will build performance-sensitive software for engine systems involving runtime state, physics models, data flow, networking, input, visualization, or simulation control.
- You will integrate game engines, simulation frameworks, physics models, data sources, and external tools into reliable interactive capabilities.
- You will profile, debug, and improve software across CPU, GPU, memory, networking, latency, load time, and real-time frame-budget constraints.
- You will contribute to runtime systems, tools, automated tests, data pipelines, debugging utilities, and workflows used by engineers and analysts.
- You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teammates to understand user needs, communicate technical tradeoffs, and deliver software that supports training, experimentation, analysis, and mission planning.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
- Have a bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, game development, physics, mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
- Have 1+ years of professional software development experience in game-engine systems, real-time simulation, visualization, interactive tools, robotics, extended reality, or related performance-sensitive software.
- Have experience developing clear, maintainable C++ software for real-time, interactive, simulation, engine, or other performance-sensitive applications.
- Have experience debugging and improving software using profilers, logs, traces, debuggers, memory tools, frame captures, or similar diagnostic techniques.
- Have experience with systems programming areas such as memory management, multithreading, job systems, networking, streaming, serialization, asset loading, resource management, platform abstraction, physics integration, rendering integration, tools, build systems, or data pipelines.
- Are willing and able to travel occasionally for meetings, demonstrations, integration events, or partner engagements.
- Are able to obtai Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
- Have experience as a systems programmer, engine programmer, platform programmer, rendering programmer, tools programmer, physics programmer, networking programmer, or core technology programmer in the game industry.
- Have experience with Unity, Unreal Engine, or proprietary, in-house, open-source, or custom real-time 3D engine technology.
- Have experience with physics modeling, distributed simulation, multiplayer networking, state synchronization, deterministic simulation, scenario systems, terrain systems, geospatial visualization, or simulation-based training systems.
- Have experience building tools, asset pipelines, debugging utilities, automated tests, build systems, or workflows used by engineers, analysts, designers, artists, or other technical users.
- Hold an active Secret clearance.
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$85,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$195,000 Annually
What Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory employees say
Pay
Hours and flexibility
Workplace
Get the full story on Breakroom
About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Manufacturing
Company size
5,001 - 10,000 Employees
Headquarters location
Laurel, MA, US