Gameplay Software Engineer at Bonfire Studios

At Bonfire Studios we build games that put players first, and we do it as a small, tight-knit team of experienced developers who value transparency, ownership, and trust. Our first title is being crafted in a highly collaborative environment where every voice helps shape both the game and the studio itself.

The role

We are hiring a Senior Gameplay Software Engineer on a full-time hybrid basis. In this position you will work closely with designers, artists, and fellow engineers to create and refine gameplay systems for our first game, with the opportunity to influence technology and processes across the entire studio.

Core responsibilities

• Partner daily with designers, animators, visual-effects artists, and audio designers to iterate on gameplay features that delight players.
• Develop and maintain game technology and tools in Unity using DOTS and C#, balancing direct feature work in ECS with the creation of creator-facing tools that speed up iteration.
• Contribute across multiple domains such as networking, animation, character physics, controls, or AI, while also supporting live-service infrastructure that delivers new content efficiently.

Skills and experience

• Senior-level experience shipping AAA titles on PC and modern consoles using custom or heavily modified engines.
• Strong proficiency with Unity, C#, and ECS/DOTS paradigms, along with deep knowledge of multi-threaded and asynchronous programming.
• Expertise in at least one specialized area such as networking, animation, character physics, controls, or AI, and enthusiasm for expanding into others.
• Proven ability to drive cross-disciplinary initiatives through clear communication, context sharing, and mentorship.
• Fluency in English and a genuine passion for games and collaborative craftsmanship.

Compensation and benefits

The base salary range for this position is $192,500-$350,000. In addition to salary, we offer equity to every new hire, a comprehensive benefits package, and the flexibility of hybrid work across the west coast with regular in-person collaboration at our Orange County studio.

How to apply

If this opportunity aligns with your experience and interests, we encourage you to apply. We look forward to learning how your skills and perspective could help shape our first game and our growing studio.